How to Develop AR/VR Based Social Media App?

AR/VR or augmented reality and virtual reality have gained a significant level of popularity among users in the last couple of years. These technologies have left a strong impact on social media apps. People are fascinated by these emerging technologies as it delivers them an unforgettable experience. 

Augmented reality social media apps are becoming the next big thing since people find it more amusing and are addicted to the sense of a virtual world. When compared with different technologies, AR finds itself between the virtual and real world. On the other hand, VR delivers an unforgettable virtual experience to the users with the help of VR goggles. 

AR/VR in social media apps has become the need of the hour since the majority of users prefer to use exciting filters, face swaps, and more. These technologies and tools have inspired the minds of entrepreneurs and engineers to develop more social media apps based on AR/VR and introduce something new that amazes the users.

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AR/VR in Social Media

Fiction and virtual reality have always amused people as they want to create their own world with the tools these technologies are offering. Reality filters are delivering a new experience on a whole new level. In the current time, when you think of AR on social media, the first thing that comes to mind is Snapchat and its variety of reality filters. Google Glass set another trend before all these next-gen social media apps.

Google Glass couldn’t be more successful, although it delivered an extreme experience of virtual reality. It overlaid the digital content around the real world, but it could not make it to the top list. Next comes the filters and lives effects through social media apps that are almost present on every smartphone. The credit for bringing AR/VR into the mainstream goes to Snapchat as it revolutionized the use of these technologies, and people loved the same.

Since Snapchat was a great success, it inspired many other entrepreneurs to implement AR in other apps; hence, an app like Pokémon Go was launched in the year 2016 and instantly became a hit. These apps proved that AR is not just for taking selfies with realistic filters.

Since then, AR/VR-based social media apps have been leveling up their features and functionalities. Let’s take the example of Instagram. Since it initiated the use of AR/VR in its functionalities, the number of users has significantly increased. Instagram introduced a wide array of features based on AR that gave people a reason to create their own world. These filters could be used in still pictures, live streams, and videos. Instagram allowed users to create their own filters and avatars and publish them for other users to use.

Meta (then Facebook) took AR to the next level by allowing users to create their own virtual worlds and invite friends to see their creation, and users can see another user’s published world. This virtual reality social media app was named “Horizon” by Meta. However, it’s still in the invite-only beta version phase. Since Meta (then Facebook) owns Oculus, it may be possible that it can come pre-installed on all the Oculus devices.

All social media platforms have adopted AR/VR as their MSP, and it has been delivering excellent results. Users are more than happy to use these filters and avatars and create their own virtual story.

Influence of AR/VR in Social Media Trends 

AR/VR social media app has established a milestone in the digital world with all its new and advanced features. It has completely changed the way people interact online in the modern age. Let’s discuss the influence AR/VR has on social media trends.

A New Way of Delivering Content

Since the creation of social media platforms, we all have sent or received content in 2D form, but AR/VR has changed that way, and the new content delivery is done in 3D. People around the world have approved the way 3D content performs, and it is expected that all of the social media platforms will adopt the same way of content delivery.

The new way of content delivery on social media will effectively change the method through which designers and developers have been creating the projects. Now, it will be made with AR/VR-based filters and avatars. It has simply introduced a new level of competition among all the social media companies as they need to introduce AR in their future projects; otherwise, there are chances of losing significant business value.

Ultimate Shopping Experience on Social Media

In the 2D world, users could only see the product through different angles on social media platforms, but with augmented reality in social media, they can virtually try the product and make better decisions to make better purchases.

It has simply changed the whole shopping experience; customers feel happy as they can get an idea about the product’s make and quality through AR, which also saves them from visiting the store of a brand physically. It has given them the freedom to feel the products in a virtual world created by AR/VR in social media apps. 

A Whole New Live Event Experience

Social media is the hub for live events and broadcasting any live performance. With AR/VR, the viewing experience has completely changed; viewers now can simply get a feel of being on the event’s location with this technology. Sometimes, these technologies seem out of this world, are we right? Yeah, we know you feel the same.

With significant popularity, these technologies are used by various brands to broadcast various live events to engage more audiences; more audience means more reach of advertisements, and more reach means more conversions. With all these facts, you must be thinking do I need special devices to get the feel of a live event? No. Your smartphone is more than enough! 

The Revolutionized Way of Sharing

The name social media itself describes the main intent of the platform; people are here to share GIFs, memes, and other types of data. It keeps them connected to their friends, family, and acquaintances. With the use of smartphones, tech glasses, and advanced AR/VR-based filters, there are immense possibilities for users to create a wide variety of content to share.

Since the eCommerce section flourished on social media, it led to the addition of a ratings and reviews section that gave users insights about a brand’s products. Earlier, people have to search for reviews on Google or other websites, but now with the implementation of AR/VR, whenever a user clicks on a product, the reviews just pop out to help them shop better. In a way, it has changed the method of eCommerce companies to market their products. Since people are getting the reviews and ratings automatically, companies are now bound to deliver better products to gain strong ground on the platform. 

Enhanced Brand Awareness

Earlier brands had to publish ads and blogs to make people aware of them to increase revenue, but now with AR/VR, they can create a magical experience for customers that not only make their brand known but also enhances the sales figure.

For instance, eyewear companies allow users to try the glasses on their faces with a 3D experience that gives users a better understanding of the product. Similarly, a clothing brand has introduced the feature to try the products virtually. With shareable AR/VR features, eCommerce businesses can expect a great future ahead in terms of revenue generation and brand value.

The possibilities of innovation are immense in social media platforms with AR/VR implementation, just create new experiences for users, and your business is good to go.

Why Invest in AR/VR Based Social Media? 

In the global market, every company, whether big or small, is experimenting with AR/VR in order to create something that attracts users and enhances their revenue generation. Both these technologies deliver a number of possibilities to businesses to create efficient solutions for the users.

Let’s discuss some reasons why you should consider investing in an AR/VR-based social media app.

Highly Accessible

Both the technologies are here to stay and are available in the mainstream; businesses can easily afford the capabilities that AR/VR carries. The only thing that can restrict businesses is that VR needs headsets to work, which creates the need to purchase equipment for the users in order to feel the experience. 

However, AR is widely accepted on the market and does not pose any requirement for any additional purchases. It has been molded to be used with smartphones that exist in abundance. AR apps are being built by a number of companies to fulfill the rising demand.

A Huge User Base 

AR/VR-based apps are already being used by millions of users all around the world, and their immense capabilities have proved that the future is promising for these technologies. Meta (then Facebook) has already started to take over the market of VR with Oculus and has been implementing changes to make it even better for the users. AR, on the other hand, has already taken over the market with its artistic features. Apps like Pokémon Go, Snapchat have paved the way for AR’s success. 

The Big Giants are Using AR/VR

Apart from Meta(than Facebook), there are other giants that have adapted AR/VR technology to create meaningful solutions for their users. Apple has introduced Arkit, BMW is using AR to facilitate customers an amazing experience. In the coming years, all major giants will be using technology in their business processes and products.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Here are some global market stats about AR/VR and social media apps that give a true sense of the future. 

• The global AR/VR market is forecast to cross the mark of 300 billion USD by the year 2024. 
• More than 57.6% of the total population of the planet uses social media, with an average screen time of 2 hours and 27 minutes. 
• The global social media app development market is expected to cross the mark of 939 billion USD in revenue by the year 2026.
• After the pandemic, social media apps with great features experienced a growth of more than 43 percent.  

Let’s understand the top AR/VR social media apps that are popular in the global market.

Top AR/VR Based Social Media Apps 

The global market is experiencing huge growth in the number of augmented reality-based social media apps. Every app has its own MSP and set of features, but one thing in common, they deliver unique virtual experiences to the users. Here are some of the top AR/VR-based social media apps. 

Snapchat

Snapchat came into the limelight since its launch as it delivers AR-based specific filters that allow users to create different virtual experiences and share them with friends and family. The filters on Snapchat allow users to create real-time virtual effects. Filters based on a theme such as a cat, dog, flowers, crowns, and more allow users to take aesthetic selfies. It also has a “World Stickers” that allows users to add AR-based objects into the scenes of the real world. 

Meta (then Facebook)

Meta has been experimenting on AR/VR for a way long; obviously, that led to great outcomes. It allows users to create enhanced images with the use of geolocation features. Users are also allowed to add AR/VR-based filters or objects in the images or videos. It has also been experimenting in Horizon, a project that allows users to create a virtual world and share it with other users. 

Instagram

Since Instagram was acquired by Meta, it has a lot of AR/VR-based features. Users can create interesting videos with the use of AR-based filters and post them on stories or as a post. Instagram recently introduced “Reels,” with the use of AR-based filters; users can create short videos with extraordinary effects. It also allows users to create their own filters and share them with others.

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The Development Process 

Now that you are aware of the capabilities of AR/VR-based social media apps let’s dig into the process for creating one. The development process for building any social media app always carries some challenges and risks, but they can be easily avoided by following a strategic approach. Let’s start the process. 

Analyze the Market

The first step of developing an app based on any technology is market research. You have to know the current market scenario and act accordingly. Detailed market research should include the list of competitors, their business strategies, and monetization models. 

You can get these detailed market research reports in various ways. The first option consists of assigning the task to your in-house marketing team, asking them to fetch all the required details; in case you don’t have an in-house marketing team, you can always outsource the task to a marketing firm as they have a lot of experience in the genre chances are you will get a report with all the necessary details. There is also a third option; you can simply purchase a market research report based on your requirements from various marketing websites available online.

Plan the Perfect Roadmap

With all the necessary detail in your hand, move towards the next step that involves creating a perfect roadmap for the execution of the project. There is a lot of planning involved in the process. From a number of features to your budget, discuss everything with your team to get an idea about the process. You have to plan the architecture of the app, the features, and the functions it will perform. Try something unique that sets your AR/VR social media app from the rest. Let’s start with the features. 

Features to be Considered

Tech Stack to be Considered