Social media interactions are now ubiquitous in the digital world. People worldwide regularly connect with loved ones, while businesses use social media to engage customers. Many users spend hours online daily, switching between platforms and posting updates quickly. At a time when traditional social media platforms often leave users feeling disconnected and isolated, Yubo emerges as a refreshing alternative — a place of genuine human connection in a universe of superficial interactions. 

Founded in 2015 by Sacha Lazimi, Jérémie Aouate, and Arthur Patora, the live social discovery app isn’t just another social media platform. It’s a dynamic, community-driven space that prioritizes real-time engagement and meaningful interactions.

“We decided we wanted to improve the way people were interacting online,” CEO Lazimi told TechRound. “We thought technology offered the opportunity for people to connect in a better way and that this issue was not addressed by the sector. We created two applications before and built Yubo on the learnings from our previous experiences.”

What is social discovery, and how does Lazimi’s app redefine it? Social discovery is connecting with like-minded individuals beyond one’s immediate social circles based on shared interests, passions, and vibes. Unlike traditional social media platforms that rely on curated feeds and algorithms to facilitate connections, Yubo takes a more organic approach.

At its core, Yubo is a live social discovery app that allows users to engage in real-time video and audio interactions, one-on-one chats, and group discussions. Instead of passively consuming content, users actively participate in conversations and forge connections with people from around the globe who share their interests. A year after its launch, it reached 10 million signups, primarily appealing to Generation Z users. In 2024, the platform boasts more than 80 million users spanning over 140 countries, with most still falling into the Gen Z category. 

During an appearance on the “Big Technology Podcast,” Lazimi said, “But this generation, the next generation, and even us today, are increasingly connected. And we more and more have this need to socialize online, like we are socializing offline because this is part of our life. And this need wasn’t solved by the social network.”

Evolving alongside its target demographic, Yubo introduced fresh imaging and a sleeker interface, reflecting its commitment to staying in tune with the preferences of its audience.

Meet New People, Make New Friends

“The idea is that you connect with people that are not from your network, people you don’t know, people that can be in another country or city. You just need to speak the same languages. If you are at home and just want to start a conversation with a group of people of the same age or someone with the same interests, you can just do that in one minute by using YuBucks,” Lazimi mentioned on the podcast.

Yubo stands out from traditional social media platforms due to its authenticity and emphasis on genuine connections. While platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X, formerly Twitter, often prioritize metrics such as likes, shares, and followers, Yubo fosters meaningful interactions and facilitates organic conversations.

Rather than focusing on metrics, users can engage deeply with others’ stories. These interactions often foster an appreciation for diverse cultures and perspectives, laying the foundation for genuine online connections.

At Yubo, the emphasis is on empowering young individuals to present their authentic selves and forge genuine connections akin to offline interactions. This commitment is reflected in removing likes and follows from the platform. Safety is paramount, as the platform caters to teens and young adults. It leads the way by implementing age-verification tools, enhancing age-gating, and minimizing fake profiles, bots, and malicious users.

The live social discovery app’s features and policies are developed with insights from a board of safety experts comprising esteemed leaders and online safety authorities from organizations such as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Thorn, and The Diana Award.

Go Live on Yubo

One of Yubo’s most exciting features is its livestreaming capability. Users can join livestreams dedicated to various topics, from gaming and music to fashion and pop culture. It’s like attending a virtual meetup to engage with like-minded individuals in real-time.

“The goal on the platform is to make sure that you will speak with as many people as you want, and you will be able to either select an interest because you play Fortnite, for example, or you watch Batman movies,” says the CEO. “So you can click on this interest, and you can find people that have this interest, and you can send friend requests to those people. You can enter a room with people who are debating or have the same interests as you.

“People are coming to our platform just to have a conversation. At some point, we don’t really care if you are making new friends and if you end up having a friendship. What we care about is that you have conversations with other people and you are socializing with other people.”

People can socialize on the app in a way that mirrors real-life interactions. “So let’s say that you enter a festival or a bar where everyone wants to socialize. What would happen? You would have a small group of people that will be together naturally, speaking about different subjects, speaking about their interests, speaking about a movie, or debating. And it’s exactly the same on the platform,” Lazimi said on the “Big Technology Podcast.”

“So you can see a list of groups of people based on their profile, topic of the conversation, or their interest. And as in real life, you can enter the room, you can listen to what they are saying, and they can invite you to join the conversation right away. You can start interacting with video, audio, chat, and everything else in real-time. This is working great because 95% of rooms only have streamers who are speaking together. On average, four to five people are speaking together, exactly like it would be at a festival where people are just discovering each other and speaking as a group.”

But Yubo isn’t just about finding people who share your interests. It’s also about expanding your horizons and discovering new passions. With its diverse user base spanning the globe, the live social discovery app provides a platform for users to connect with individuals from different backgrounds and cultures, fostering cross-cultural understanding and appreciation.