Vero: Thoughts?

[joannekwan]

So a lot of artists I follow on instagram are now jumping on Vero. It's a new(ish) mobile app that's basically the same as insta with some other features, but the main draw is it doesn't use any algorithms that people/businesses can use to promote their own posts while burying other users'.

HOWEVER
Vero is planning on making users pay an annual subscription fee to use the app. Currently, the first million people to sign up will get to use it for free for as long as the app exists. But even as small as the fee would potentially be, this puts a sour taste in my mouth so I haven't made an account with them yet.

I'm asking all you creative-minded people, what are your thoughts on this? Would you pay annually for an app to post and or follow content?

[ISNEKO]

I wouldn't pay to use a social media app.

Also, using hashtags to search for content so far has been worthless for me on Vero. Tons of stupid posts with one hundred tags that have nothing to do with the post.

[LoboSong_Hitaka5Ever]

When I heard from another user that it was a paid app, I was like "F that noise" because that's a load of shit. Social media should be free space as much as the rest of the internet is. Vero sounds like an app for the elitist and rich, not your average artist. I couldn't get it if it was free anyway with how often sites these days only seem to give a shit about the app. I don't own a phone and don't plan to because when I had it for 3 years, I was stressed about being able to pay my part (which I barely had after rent went into account) and I find them to be just a worthless piece of machinery. I find my laptop to be 1000% more practical than a phone

[auroradordan]

I'm going to play devil's advocate and admit that I wouldn't mind paying for an app like Vero, as long as plenty of other people are in the network too. The fact that it's free now is super enticing - besides, I really like the design, ad-free space, and sharing features. Best jump on it now before the opportunity is gone!

[joe_galindez]

Why should the Internet be free space? Apps and content cost money to make.

[Chopythes]

No, I wouldn't pay to use a social media app.

... Tho I got Vero just yesterday and I've heard about it being a subscription service so I thought I'd use it until it will make me pay.

And I don't know, maybe this blew up just like Mastodon did? Maybe the hype will get less after a few weeks?

As for now, I kind of like it? I like how it's both instagram and twitter in one, tho I haven't explored it fully yet.

[starknights]

I signed up so I could grab a free spot
There's some UI issues I've experienced and it seems to put too much emphasis on making it look pretty (and it does!) than being functional.
I'm not sure about it replacing my other social media accounts, as I've spent years building up my Twitter and Instagram.
Personally, I wouldn't pay a free to use it as I do my other accounts. I understand if it needs to be paid, but I can still use Twitter and Instagram for free

[IdiotWithPencil]

I'm asking all you creative-minded people, what are your thoughts on this? Would you pay annually for an app to post and or follow content?

depends, personally, as the poor bastard that I am, I would never use it and I really couldn't give two hoots that companies get my info, not like it will do them any good to know what a random idiot on the web likes or dislikes.

but if you don't like your info being used to feed the evil marketing demons you have to pay the gods some how =P

[IdiotWithPencil]

sweet summer child nothing in this world is free, even less the marketing monster that is the internet

[craicin]

I made one! Just to see. I'm Craicin on it there aswell and like many new apps i dont know how to use it, cant wait.

[storytimebiondi]

Has anyone read its privacy and copyright policy? I browed through it yesterday thinking I'd make an account also, but I'm pretty sure they have full rights to use your work.

[sushy00]

I would not pay for it ever.
To be honest it quite annoys me that there is another social media thing that I have to keep up with.
For now I have not made one so far. My phone's memory is quite limited and I love using Instagram actually. Even though the algorithms are not that great.

[starknights]

I was concerned about it too. Someone on another artist group I'm on emailed them about it, and they stated that the creator retains all rights to their work. Vero ended up clarifying this in their Terms of Use and apologizing for not being more clear on it.

The terms of use in case anyone wants to read through it:
https://www.vero.co/terms-of-use/

[jpnakashima]

Many of the artists I follow moved to it, but I didn't install it yet. Didn't know it was going to be paid, shit.

I think that yes, like Chopythes said, the hype might die soon. I also didn't know about what @storytimebiondi mentioned... that's kind of worrisome.

All that said, what do you guys feel about the role of Instagram on this move? Because the reason I see many moving is because of changes in the algorithm. I've been personally a little annoyed by Instagram feeds for a while too, so I can imagine that it must suck for someone that interacts with it more than I do.
Do you guys feel Insta will change a little bit to adapt to this blowback?

[starknights]

Honestly, I don't think that Instagram will do anything unless they feel a serious blow, such as users completely leaving the service for Vero.

Vero got a lot of attention this weekend, but they also had a lot of complains because people weren't able to confirm their accounts. The beta has been around for awhile, but Vero will have to first prove to Instagram that they're a serious competitor.

I would love for Instagram to go back to their old algorithm because I want to see posts when they're posted, not when they decide.

[feardeer]

I don't use Insta and have no plans to, so I'm kind of intrigued by an alternative.
But there are several reasons I won't be using Vero.

1 - My phone isn't compatible lmao. I strongly dislike app-only social media anyway.
2 - I personally wouldn't pay for any kind of social media when there is an abundance of free, flourishing alternatives. Even if they're not perfect--Vero won't be either.
3 - The fact that people may have to pay to use Vero pretty much guarantees a smaller audience. Users won't be able to reach people who can't/won't pay or can't/don't use mobile services. Internationally, this is a pretty big pool of folks.

So yeah, I'm gonna pass. Not that I have much of a choice haha.

[ToxicRamen]

I tried signing up but for some reason, I can't seem to get connected.

[robotboy]

I think the app got bad luck. It became too popular in a short period of time. That made many people join the app posting poor quality random content and looking for being the explorers of a new world, hoping for many easy followers.
I think it is funny, cause if you look into the human story, it sounds like the european exploration of the american continent. A lot of people migrating for a new land (Vero) in hope to get easy wealth (followers).

The developers are having a lot of work to keep the app running while a wave of new users arrive. I think it will become a cool app since they don`t charge all users.

[heterodont]

It's definitely just the hype train right now. It's very likely going to fall out of popularity much like every other "THIS IS THE NEXT TUMBLR/TWITTER!" alternative.

the app itself is also very..odd? it doesn't have usernames so it's going to be hard to directly link someone to your work (unless I'm dumb and haven't figured out that part yet) but that already left a bad taste in my mouth. It seems like its trying to do one too many things and stretching themselves pretty thin but that's just imo. I'm probably gonna forget about it.

[Zaboem]

I am am behind the times, I have not made am Instagram account yet. Now, it looks like Insta will be replaced before I do that.

Also, do get off my lawn whippersnappers.