Originating from Paris, Yubo, a live social discovery app, is a rising star in social media, especially among Generation Z. It’s more than just an app; it’s a revolution in digital socializing that’s captivating young minds globally.
What sets the app apart in an already crowded space? Founded in 2015 by Sacha Lazimi, Jérémie Aouate, and Arthur Patora, the live social discovery app started with a vision to create a platform that would redefine social interaction for young people.
Its goal was to move beyond traditional social media’s constraints and offer a more interactive, authentic space conducive to forming genuine connections. Mission accomplished.
Initially launched as Yellow, the live social discovery app was originally conceptualized as a social media platform designed to complement Snapchat. The app’s primary function was to facilitate friend-making among teenagers by allowing them to connect their Yellow profile with their Snapchat accounts.
If two users mutually “liked” each other’s profiles, they were matched and could exchange Snapchat usernames, encouraging them to continue interacting on Snapchat.
This integration with Snapchat was a significant aspect of Yellow’s early appeal, particularly among younger users who were already active on Snapchat and were looking for new ways to expand their social circles.
In an interview with Econsultancy, CEO Lazimi stated, “My co-founders and I created Yubo to provide a safe space for younger generations to make meaningful friendships online without the pressure of influencers and ads.
[It] is a space where young people can hang out, communicate in real-time via live streams, and find out about the world and themselves.”
He explained that the aim is going “back to the basics of social networking and enabling our users to make genuine connections and friendships online by bringing people together who have shared passions and interests in the digital world.”
This ethos is central to understanding Yubo’s appeal, particularly to Gen Z users who crave authenticity and meaningful interaction in the digital realm. The platform experienced explosive growth during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The amount of time users spent on live streams increased 550% globally over 2020, averaging 130,000 live streams daily. Now, it’s used across more than 140 countries by over 80 million users.
The Evolution of Social Media and the Rise of Yubo
To appreciate the app’s place in the social media landscape, it’s crucial to understand the progress of these platforms.
Early social media sites like Facebook and X (formerly known as Twitter) revolutionized how people connect, but they primarily focused on established connections and content sharing.
Instagram and Snapchat introduced a more visual and ephemeral approach, emphasizing personal branding and aesthetics.
Yubo diverges from these models by focusing on livestreaming and community building. Unlike platforms that prioritize content consumption, it encourages real-time interaction. This shift resonates with Gen Z users, who often seek more interactive and less curated experiences online.
Several key features distinguish Yubo from other social media apps:
Live streaming at Its Core
The live social discovery app centers around live streaming rooms where users can join video chats, participate in discussions, or simply hang out in real-time. This live aspect creates a sense of immediacy and connection that’s often lacking in traditional social media.
The platform offers thousands of user livestreams daily, sortable by language, interest, or number of participants. There’s something for everyone. Streamers engage in lively conversations, showcase talents, tell stories, and share opinions, giving viewers insights into their personalities.
This feature is particularly appealing, as it can reduce the anxiety of forming new friendships, with games and live hangouts serving as excellent ways to get to know someone.
Focus on Community and Authenticity
The platform encourages users to be themselves.
It minimizes the emphasis on likes and followers, reducing the pressure to curate a perfect online persona.
Users can swipe left or right to connect and live stream, which encourages meeting new people, hanging out, playing games, and forming friendships without the pressure of producing content.
Safety and Moderation
Given its young user base, Yubo takes safety seriously. The app strives to keep the environment as safe as possible with various moderation tools and safety guidelines. Safety is a cornerstone of the platform.
“Our priority is to proactively educate users about responsible online behavior through real-time alerts as well as blocking content that goes against our community guidelines,” Lazimi explained.
The platform utilizes a combination of sophisticated artificial intelligence technology and human moderation to accomplish this.
Global Reach With Local Sensibilities
While the live social discovery app has a global user base, it pays attention to local cultures and languages, making it more accessible and relatable to users worldwide. Its commitment to inclusivity is highlighted by the range of pronouns offered on the app.
A New Chapter in Social Media
Unlike previous generations, Gen Z prefers platforms that offer interactive, creative, and genuine content. This shift aligns perfectly with Yubo’s offerings. The live social discovery app’s users often highlight the app’s community feel and authenticity as major draws.
One user shares, “On Yubo, I feel like I can be myself. It’s not about showing off; it’s about connecting with people who get you.” This sentiment echoes among many Gen Z users who find traditional social media platforms constraining or inauthentic.
The platform constantly evolves, adding new features and listening to its community. The live social discovery app’s goal is to become the go-to platform for Gen Z to create meaningful connections.
Lazimi explained that he works daily to ensure “everything is working correctly and the user experience is the best it possibly can be. It’s important to get constant feedback from users and listen to the people using the platform.
It allows us on the daily to better understand their needs in terms of new features and also to detect any technical issues more quickly. The first thing I like to do in the morning is to look at our metrics as well, so I can identify what works, what does not, and how to increase our results.”
Young users are moving toward platforms that offer more than just a space to share content, they seek communities where they can interact authentically and in real-time. Yubo, with its unique focus, is well-positioned to lead this new wave of social media, offering a glimpse into the future of how we connect online.