Neptune is among the latest short-form video apps on the block looking for to compete with main gamers like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts.
The app, presently in beta, has attracted consideration from a whole bunch of 1000’s of customers, with 970 testers taking part and 400,000 individuals on the waitlist, per the corporate.
Neptune introduced Monday that it’s getting ready to launch the app on the App Retailer subsequent week, with plans to roll out on the Google Play Retailer in about six months.
The startup was based by Ashley Darling, who has a background as a expertise director on the OPTYX company, the place she labored with “underestimated” influencers. She got down to develop a platform that emphasizes creativity as a substitute of the variety of followers a creator has.
“I spent years working with independent creators, both as an influencer myself and later helping brands,” Darling shared with TechCrunch. “I kept hearing the same thing from creators and users, ‘I miss when social media was fun. When it was about creativity, not competition.’ So, instead of waiting for a platform to listen, I built one.”
With TikTok’s future nonetheless unsure, Neptune hopes to draw creators searching for another approach to earn income whereas fostering an atmosphere that prioritizes the standard of movies and connections as a substitute of follower counts. The app plans to supply varied income streams, together with ideas, livestreams, and subscriptions.
Like its rivals, Neptune contains a discovery software and a vertical feed for customers to swipe by way of brief movies and have interaction by way of feedback. Moreover, customers can add a canopy picture to their profiles, imitating what X and different networking apps provide.
A key distinguishing characteristic of Neptune is that it lets creators conceal their complete followers and likes. This “ghost metrics” characteristic is optionally available, nevertheless, and is designed to assist customers keep away from the pressures related to follower depend, but nonetheless caters to creators who might need to showcase their metrics.
In accordance with the corporate, Neptune’s algorithm emphasizes person pursuits and content material high quality quite than creator recognition. Usually, social media algorithms prioritize content material with the best engagement, typically leaving lesser-known creators, or “micro-influencers,” at an obstacle.
“We put the power back in the hands of [the creators] who actually built the internet. Not the corporations, not the algorithms. Neptune is for connection, not clout,” chief advertising officer Timur Tugberk mentioned.
One other notable characteristic is “Hop Back,” which permits customers to renew watching a video proper the place they left off, stopping them from shedding their place when the app refreshes.
Neptune is in beta and doesn’t provide all of its supposed options but. It’s presently on the easy facet, offering solely a video feed and a search perform. When testing the app, we additionally seen it lacks in-app modifying instruments and direct messaging.
The corporate says it’s engaged on including a livestream functionality, the flexibility to create playlists, and music integrations.
