Yubo redefines social media by prioritizing genuine connections over likes, catering to Gen Z’s craving for authenticity and real-time interactions.
For Generation Z, social media isn’t just a pastime — it’s woven into the very fabric of their lives. Born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, this generation never knew a world without Wi-Fi, smartphones, and the constant hum of online chatter. They’ve witnessed the rise and fall of countless platforms, from the early days of MySpace to the current reign of TikTok. But with this digital fluency comes a keen eye for authenticity and a growing weariness of the performative nature of many social networks.
“I used to spend hours curating the perfect Instagram grid,” says Nova, a college sophomore. “But it started to feel so fake. I was more focused on how my life looked to others than actually living it.”
Digital natives like Nova, who cut their teeth on social media, are increasingly hungry for something more. They’re finding it on Yubo, the live social discovery app that’s serving up a fresh take on online connections and leaving traditional platforms in its wake.
Breaking the Cycle of Social Media
Yubo was created in 2015 by three French entrepreneurs — Sacha Lazimi, Jérémie Aouate, and Arthur Patora — who recognized a gap in the social media landscape for genuine, real-time connections.
Traditional social media platforms are built on the idea of the “approval economy.” Users post content and wait for the validation of likes, shares, and comments to flood in. The more followers you have, the more valuable you are perceived to be. While initially engaging, this system has contributed to a culture that ties self-worth to digital metrics. For Gen Z, who are both highly savvy and deeply critical of these constructs, the constant need for validation feels increasingly hollow.
Yubo flips this script entirely. The app eschews likes, shares, and follower counts in favor of live interactions. Here, the emphasis is on being present and engaging with others in real-time. Whether connecting through a livestream, engaging in group conversations, or discovering like-minded individuals, Yubo’s atmosphere prioritizes genuine relationships over the creation of a polished digital identity.
“Yubo is a space where young people can hang out, communicate in real-time via livestreams, and find out about the world and themselves,” said Lazimi, CEO and co-founder. “We are going back to the basics of social networking and enabling our users to make genuine connections and friendships online by bringing people together who have shared passions and interests in the digital world.”
For many Gen Z users, Yubo offers a refreshing alternative to the highlight reels of other platforms. The platform appeals because it allows for genuine self-expression without the pressure of accumulating likes or curating “Gram-worthy” content. Instead, the platform enables users to join live rooms and engage in conversations with others who share similar interests.
“We realized we wanted to empower young people to socialize and create friendships in the digital world the same way they would in real life,” Lazimi told Top Business Tech.
He continued, “We try to take the best of offline interactions and we add to that the power of the technology to make sure that you will instantly be connected with the right group of people anywhere in the world at any time.”
Unlike social media platforms where users primarily interact with people they know, Yubo is designed for discovery. For many Gen Z users, this aspect of Yubo is particularly appealing. The app provides a space to meet new people and engage in conversations without the pressure to conform to existing social circles or follow a predefined social hierarchy. This freedom to explore and connect aligns with Gen Z’s values of diversity and inclusion, making Yubo a platform that truly reflects the desires of its user base.
The platform has benefited Nova. She says, “Using Yubo has made me more confident in real-life social situations. I’m less worried about trying to impress people and more focused on just being myself and finding common ground.”
Making Yubo as Safe as Possible
One critical challenge for any social platform that younger audiences use is ensuring safety. Gen Z is acutely aware of the risks associated with online interactions, from cyberbullying to data privacy concerns. Yubo addresses these issues head-on with robust safety and moderation features that have earned it a reputation as one of the safer spaces online.
The app employs artificial intelligence-driven moderation tools that help detect and prevent inappropriate behavior. Additionally, Yubo has implemented age verification processes, further enhancing the platform’s trustworthiness. For Gen Z, who prioritize digital safety and privacy, these features are not just welcome; they’re essential. Yubo’s commitment to creating a secure environment for its users is a significant part of why the app has gained such popularity among this demographic.
Social media has transformed at an astonishing pace, evolving from simple platforms for sharing status updates to complex ecosystems where billions of people connect, share, and influence each other in real-time. The rapid progression from text-based interactions to multimedia-rich environments highlights just how swiftly these platforms can adapt to user needs and technological advancements.
With its innovative focus on live social discovery, Yubo exemplifies this evolution, offering users a fresh way to form genuine connections in real-time. As technology advances, new social media experiences like Yubo will likely emerge, offering deeper, more immersive connections that push the boundaries of how we communicate and interact online.
As traditional social media giants scramble to keep up, one thing is clear: The future of social media belongs to those who can satisfy Gen Z’s craving for authenticity. And right now, Yubo is leading the pack.
