Seen–The App That Craves Reactions
By Sherlene Hiu
With the rise of social media, many apps are increasingly targeting young demographics like Gen Z and Gen Alpha. TikTok, known for its addictive video platform, has gained popularity due to its powerful algorithm and user-friendly interface, making it easy for users to engage with diverse content. The app allows sharing, reposting, and duetting videos, providing endless entertainment. With technology advancing, social media is reaching its peak and transitioning into an era of evolved media. Now, a new app called Seen enables users to react to TikTok videos with their friends, adding a new layer of interaction to the trend.
Founded by Faheem Kajee and Karen Gillan, the app leverages TikTok reactions interactively. Users send videos in one-on-one or group chats of up to 11 people, who respond with their own videos, creating a reaction chain. Reactions happen live and in real-time, allowing simultaneous viewing. Seen addresses the need for interactive content reactions. Instead of only sending an emoji or message as a reaction, Seen can elevate anyone’s reaction without a monotonous tone. It integrates directly with TikTok for seamless video sharing and features popular TikTok videos and user galleries. In addition, other apps may get involved such as integrating clips from YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels are another objective that might be in development for the future.
Seen is currently available on iPhone with plans for an Android release. Entrepreneur Faheem Kajee emphasizes the app’s goal of enhancing communication among friends through video reactions. Actress and co-creator Karen Gillan, known for her film roles in Avengers, contributes creative concepts to the startup. Seen has attracted significant investor interest with many coming from major companies like Twitch and Twitter, potentially securing $1 million in funding. Future plans include creating a public feed to attract new users and facilitating face-to-face interactions with content creators before video releases, promising further development opportunities.
The creators also aim to offer premium options, including paid games, filters, and additional features. They plan to monetize by allowing users to react to ads, a novel approach aimed at gathering valuable user data and feedback. This data could provide insights into user preferences and improve the app’s development and advertising strategies, marking a unique initiative in leveraging user reactions for market research on social media. It extends beyond friends, providing an opportunity to reconnect with other contacts, bringing smiles, and fostering communication where reactions may be lacking.
Seen, as a digital tool enabling interactive reactions and offering insights into trending content through its algorithm, shows promising potential amid its competitors. Positioned to cater to younger generations immersed in social media, Seen fosters authentic connections and real-time interactions. Despite its recent launch, the app is poised to attract tech enthusiasts and influence digital trends in today’s dynamic landscape.
References:
Forristal, L. (2024b, June 18). Meet seen, a new app for friends to record reactions to tiktoks and other content. TechCrunch. https://techcrunch.com/2024/06/18/seen-video-messaging-social-app-reactions/
Seen careers | wellfound (formerly Angellist Talent). (n.d.). https://wellfound.com/company/seen-7