Neptune is one of the latest short form video apps on the block that seeks to compete with major players such as Tiktok, Instagram reels and YouTube shorts.
The app, currently in beta, has attracted attention from hundreds of thousands of users, as it features 970 testers and 400,000 people on its waitlist, according to the company.
Neptune announced Monday that it is preparing to launch the app on the App Store next week. It plans to roll it out to the Google Play Store in about six months.
The startup was founded by Ash Leaderlin, who has a background as the talent director for the Optyx Agency, and collaborated with “underrepresented” influencers. She tried to develop a platform that emphasizes creativity rather than the number of followers the creator has.
“I worked with independent creators for years as an influencer and later an influencer supporting the brand,” Darling shared with TechCrunch. “I kept hearing the same thing from creators and users. “I missed out when social media was fun. It was about creativity, not competition.” So instead of waiting for the platform to listen, I made it. ”
With Tiktok's future still uncertain, Neptune hopes to attract creators looking for alternative ways to earn revenue while promoting an environment that prioritizes video and connection quality instead of follower counts. The app will offer a variety of revenue streams, including tips, live streams, and subscriptions.
Like its competitors, Neptune features discovery tools and vertical feeds for users to swipe through short videos to get comments involved. Additionally, users can add cover photos to their profiles to mimic what X and other network apps have to offer.
Image credit: Neptune (image changed)
A key feature of Neptune is that creators can hide their entire followers. However, this “ghostmetric” feature is optional and is designed to help users avoid the pressure associated with follower counting, but it still caters to creators who want to showcase their metrics.
According to the company, Neptune's algorithms emphasize the user's interest and content quality, not the creator's popularity. Social media algorithms usually prioritize content with the highest engagement, often putting lesser-known creators, or “micro-influencers.”
“We've returned our strength to our hands [the creators] People who actually built the internet. It's not a company, it's not an algorithm. Neptune is for connection, not influence,” said Chief Marketing Officer Timur Tugberk.
Another notable feature is the “hopback.” This allows users to watch the video where they left off, preventing them from losing their place when the app is refreshed.
Neptune is in beta and doesn't offer all of the intended features yet. It is currently on the simplest side, offering only video feeds and search capabilities. When testing the app, I also noticed that there was no in-app editing tools and direct messaging.
The company says it is working on adding livestream features, playlist creation and music integration.