Written by: Megan McDowell
Vero Tops the Charts
In a recent article by Michael K. Spencer entitled, Vero-the Instagram App Killer Has Risen to the Top of App Charts, the author looks at what has become the abandoning of Instagram. Vero is a similar platform to Instagram that has gone from number 99 on the app store charts to number one. With Instagram users leaving the app to switch to Vero, the powers that be at Facebook (who owns Instagram) should be getting nervous- over 500,000 new users joined Vero in 24 hours on IOS alone. What is causing this massive exodus? The resounding sentiment among users changing platforms is the unhappiness and exploitation felt using Facebook and Instagram. The consensus has been mounting over time that Facebook is not listening to their customers and that profits seem to motivate them more than their customers opinions or concerns. Dealing with market research online communities, we are completely convinced that no matter how big or small you are, your enduring success depends on listening to your customer and keeping them front and center to all that you do.
Algorithms Dampen the Mood
Customers have been complaining for some time that the annoying algorithms have been hiding information of posts. What used to be chronological changed so that content creators would have to pay for their content to be seen. This interfered with general users who just wanted to see what their friends were up to. Then there is the whole issue of ads, and the fact that your information and content is property of Facebook and Instagram, and is sold to companies without you receiving a dime. Then, in steps a new platform like Vero that promises that the users are the customers and that they can use the platform without the annoying algorithms, and that their content will be private. Cue the lights and everyone is making an exit for the doors and heading to the new party at Vero. Sorry Facebook, you were SO mid 2000’s.
Vero promises that the platform will resolve the current imbalance of power seen at Facebook. The manifesto reads as follows:
PEOPLE NATURALLY SEEK CONNECTION. THAT’S WHY ONLINE SOCIAL NETWORKS HAVE BEEN SO WIDELY ADOPTED OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS. THEY OFFERED THE PROMISE OF CONSTANT CONNECTION AND THE MEANS TO KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS AND TO SHARE WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR LIVES. BUT AS TIME PASSED, AN IMBALANCE BEGAN TO FORM BETWEEN THE INTERESTS OF THE PLATFORMS AND THE BEST INTERESTS OF THE USERS.
Vero promises that the platform will remain customer-centric. The company will look to charge a minimal fee in the future to generate profits. Spencer writes that “Vero’s manifesto looks totally transparent about everything it does with your data. No shady Facebook games.”
A Better UX than Instagram
Vero is going beyond the UX of Instagram by providing services above just posting photos. The app allows you to share text, URL’s and recommendations for tv shows, movies and books. The App is not without its share of problems though, with it continually crashing probably due to the amount of new users being added. I am sure these kinks will be worked out. Will this be the death of Facebook? Probably not, a company worth an estimated 500 billion doesn’t easily die. However, this will probably startle the company into realizing that they need to take user complaints more seriously and be less concerned with generating profits.
If you would like to find out more about how market research online communities can help you, please feel free to contact us.
Follow us on Twitter! Check us out on LinkedIn! Or like us on Facebook!
Comments