Why is Everyone Buzzing About David Dobrik's App?
By now, you’ve probably heard of David Dobrik’s buzzy new photo-sharing app called Dispo. Although recently launched, the app is already valued at over $200M, and we see potential for Dispo to be a real disruptor.
Dispo brings us back to the days of a disposable camera. Users take pictures with the in-app camera. The next day at 9am, pictures “develop” and become available to view in the app.
What’s the buzz around Dispo?
Similar to TikTok, Dispo can be seen as a push towards authenticity on social media. It’s not about picture-perfect moments or doing things “for the gram.” On Dispo, it’s about building community and sharing authentic moments through photography. Yes, Dispo is a photo app, but unlike other social platforms, you’re meant to snap a photo, put your phone down, and continue living in the moment. There’s no option to upload or edit anything. There’s no obsessing over filters, captions or hashtags. It’s just about the authentic moment you are experiencing and then capture through your phone lens.
What’s also unique about Dispo, and what makes the platform social in nature, is the introduction of shared rolls. After photos become available in the app, users can add them to their own library or add them to a shared roll. Think of a shared roll like a shared Google photo album. Anyone can create and/or follow shared rolls.
The Future of Dispo
Dispo is definitely in its infancy and the app is missing a few key features. The most prevalent is the current lack of discoverability. There’s almost no way to know who shares your interests, who lives near you, or if you already have friends on the app. In fact, there isn’t a feed at all – making it hard to find new content outside of your own.
Additionally, there isn’t a clear space for brands (yet) and some users even cite that as a benefit to being on Dispo. However, we see an opportunity to build strong brand communities without overwhelming the space. We’ve seen the power of user-generated content and community on TikTok. And we’ve seen users react positively to authentic brand marketing. With this shift towards authentic marketing that is inclusive in nature rather than intrusive marketing that interrupts, there may be a natural way for brands to integrate into Dispo. How powerful would it be if brands could have a shared album with their loyal customers?
It’ll be interesting to see how Dispo continues to grow and evolve.
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