INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Neptune is one of the latest short-form video apps on the block seeking to take on major players like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube
Shorts.The app, presently in beta, has actually attracted attention from numerous countless users, with 970 testers participating and
400,000 people on the waitlist, per the company.Neptune announced Monday that its preparing to introduce the app on the App Store next week,
with strategies to roll out on the Google Play Store in about 6 months
The start-up was established by Ashley Darling, who has a background as a skill director at the OPTYX firm, where she dealt with
underestimated influencers
She set out to establish a platform that highlights creativity instead of the variety of fans a developer has.I invested years working with
independent developers, both as an influencer myself and later helping brands, Darling shared with A Technology NewsRoom
I kept hearing the very same thing from developers and users, I miss when social media was fun
When it was about creativity, not competition
Instead of waiting for a platform to listen, I developed one.With TikToks future still unsure, Neptune hopes to draw in developers looking
for an alternative method to make income while fostering an environment that prioritizes the quality of videos and connections instead of
The app prepares to use different profits streams, consisting of ideas, livestreams, and subscriptions.Like its competitors, Neptune
includes a discovery tool and a vertical feed for users to swipe through short videos and engage through comments
In addition, users can add a cover picture to their profiles, mimicing what X and other networking apps offer.Image Credits: Neptune (Image
has been modified)A crucial differentiating feature of Neptune is that it lets creators hide their overall fans and likes
This ghost metrics feature is optional, however, and is designed to assist users prevent the pressures connected with follower count, yet
still deals with developers who may wish to showcase their metrics.According to the company, Neptunes algorithm stresses user interests and
content quality instead of creator appeal
Usually, social networks algorithms focus on material with the greatest engagement, often leaving lesser-known creators, or
micro-influencers, at a disadvantage.We put the power back in the hands of [the creators] who really built the internet
Not the corporations, not the algorithms
Neptune is for connection, not influence, chief marketing officer Timur Tugberk said.Another significant feature is Hop Back, which allows
users to resume enjoying a video right where they left off, avoiding them from losing their location when the app refreshes.Neptune is in
beta and does not provide all of its desired functions
Its currently on the simple side, supplying only a video feed and a search function
When evaluating the app, we also saw it does not have in-app modifying tools and direct messaging.The business states its working on
including a livestream capability, the capability to produce playlists, and music combinations.
