Social networking is already a must-have for digital natives. There are numerous social app choices for young generations. They either take advantage of the pre-existing social circles or are content-centred platforms. However, Soul App isn’t like other social apps. It takes a fresh approach to connecting people, forming a new concept of a stress-free, interest-based social world. This way, Soul CEO Zhang Lu aims to help Gen Z find like-minded buddies and establish friendships.
Why Gen Z tends to find friends online?
Life moves quickly and our social circles have become smaller. In these times, when it feels like everyone has social anxiety, young people are struggling to make friends. A research from the Just So Soul Institute shows that over half (51.26%) of young people find it tough to meet new friends in real life. This problem is felt even more strongly by young people living in smaller towns and cities, compared to those in big cities with more cultural and entertainment options.
When real-life interactions aren’t fulfilling their social needs, young people start looking for other ways to expand their social circles. Statistics show that 66.49% of young people choose to make new friends through social apps. This means that “online social networking” has become a main way for young people to make friends. Soul CEO Zhang Lu researched the social needs of young people and offered a solution – the Soul App.
Soul CEO Zhang Lu has designed a social playground to bring like-minded people together.
When you join this platform, you can make your own virtual character – an avatar. This avatar is a way to show who you are online, and it can be different from your real life. Then, users take a “Soul Test,” which is a fun quiz about their personality. It’s like in the Harry Potter stories when the Sorting Hat puts people into different houses. In Soul App, the test puts people on different “Planets” where you can meet others who are similar to you. After that, you’re ready to start the journey in this online world. You can talk to other people using text messages or voice and video calls.
On Soul App, you can tag what you’re into and find others who like the same things. Maybe you’re into music, books, history, movies, games, pets – whatever it is, you can find your crowd. Soul App also tracks what you like and helps you discover new people and topics that might catch your interest. Many believe that this kind of custom, fun, and supportive social app is what Generation Z needs. And it seems like they’re onto something, as more and more young people are turning to Soul App.
Soul CEO Zhang Lu knows how important it is to understand what young people want. Her team put a lot of effort into creating topics and activities that match their lifestyle and feelings. For example, during the Spring Festival this year, a lot of people stayed put because of the pandemic. To help them celebrate, Soul App came up with fun social topics like “Learn Together on Soul App,” “Work Out Together on Soul App,” and “Watch Fireworks Together on Soul App.” These activities helped create a holiday feeling for those celebrating at home.
Who is enjoying interest-driven social networking?
In recent years, new social apps like Soul App have become popular. They give young people more options to explore their interests and make friends. Data shows that when using these kinds of social apps, 62.99% of people make friends who have the same interests, 62.13% share aspects of their lives, and 58.47% express their feelings. Less important is forming romantic relationships, which only account for 36.72%. Making “online friends” by being true to oneself is becoming more and more important for young people today. They are looking for genuine interactions and emotional connections.
Currently, the most popular interest-driven crowds on Soul App are “music”, “painting” and “sports”. The top five most common user types are: food enthusiasts, sports/travel lovers, knowledge seekers, fashion trendsetters, and career professionals. In real life, many of these “social networking enthusiasts” are also “influencers”. They love life, constantly improve their skills, and make online social platforms a place teeming with talent, interest and creativity.
In short, by focusing on individual interests and creating a safe, fun space for users, Soul App is proving to be a popular choice for Generation Z. And as it keeps growing and evolving.
