What is Vero? How do I use it and… is it really any good?

Do we need another social media app?

Listen, I love Instagram. I love it more than all of the other social media platforms and the algorithm changes genuinely don't bother me. The algorithm changes seem to have affected mostly bloggers and influencers, but tbh, I don't mind not seeing every single post they upload. Plus, I love Insta Stories. LOVE. I really didn't think we needed a new social media app - I feel like I'm inundated with the ones I already have - but when a few people - celebs and bloggers alike - started to talk about Vero, I was intrigued. It's been touted as The Next Big Thing but is it better than Instagram? Is it user-friendly? What does it give me that the other social platforms don't? Well, I tried it out over the course of a few days, and while it's still fairly new, here are my thoughts on Vero.

First of all - WHY do we need it?

Ok, we have Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat - do we need more? Maybe.

What the fuck is Vero & why are y’all doin this to me ?! Why do you need 5 social media outlets for 1 person WHHHYYYYYYYYYY

— Lil Debbie (@L1LDebbie) February 26, 2018

So according to Vero's manifesto, it was created because the makers weren't happy with how social media is nowadays. They think that there is no real connections online anymore, and want to create a more 'natural' way of sharing things. I'm on the side of the Lil Debbie (above). Why does one person need multiple platforms? I use Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (don't have Snapchat) for different reasons and I honestly don't feel the need to have another platform to share my thoughts. I've covered all my bases. With Vero, you apparently have more control over who sees your posts, but tbh that sits better with bloggers than regular folk - It's OK if everyone on my friends list doesn't see my latest upload about my trek to the chipper.

What's new about it?

Not much. It seems like it's a mix of both Facebook and Instagram - but doesn't have as many features. Like Facebook, you're able to post a whole range of content including videos, website links, your daily ramblings, etc. But it doesn't have anything like group chat features or event features - which is mainly why I use FB these days. On the Instagram side - you're able to post pretty pictures, but the filters are shite and it takes A DAY AND A HALF (not really - but a very long time) to upload a photo. Not good. Oh, and there's no Instagram Stories-like feature... so... why?

ok well my photo was deleted, i can't load anything or add people so vero is super great so far

— OMGitsfirefoxx probably (@OMGitsfirefoxx) February 27, 2018

Is it user-friendly?

No. I downloaded it about three days ago and usually I'm fairly quick to get to grips with apps and such... but not this one. This one tested my patience. As I mentioned, it takes ages to upload a photo and many (many) times, I had to re-upload because it failed to post. Annoying. You will also experience 'Server Timeouts' which happened maybe 5 times in the space of an hour for me. It takes a while to get to grips with the interface and find your friends too, and saying that I still don't know where my newsfeed is - or if there even is one. You also can't edit a photo once it's uploaded which is a bit of a drag and... well, lads, it's a bit boring to look at. It's dull and lifeless (and I think you can gage how I feel about Vero already).

I think canoeing up rapids would be easier than gaining followers on Vero.

— Helen (@teainthetub) February 27, 2018

It's hard to leave

And I don't mean that you'll love it so much, it'll be hard to let it go... It is literally hard to leave the app and delete your profile. Unlike most social media apps, where you simply delete your account in 'settings', you have to travel around the f*cking globe to find the option of removing yourself from Vero. Instead, you need to go to your profile, hit the question mark, open a dropdown menu labelled 'who would you like to contact?', and select 'delete my account'. But that's not all - you then have to wait for the Vero Gods to accept that you're leaving and Lord knows how long that will take.

Moral dilemma: I like the concept of Vero and its artistic focus. However, the info coming to light about its management is concerning. Considering nearly all major social platforms have problematic creators/practices, at what stage should this prevent user uptake?

— Chris Button (@BibbyBhoy) February 27, 2018

Last thoughts?

OK, well it's fairly clear I am not a fan of Vero. It's glitchy, it's dull, it's hard to use and so far, it's boring - not to mention completely unnecessary (!). While it might be fab for bloggers who want their followers to see ALL their posts, it's just a bit meh for the regular user AND it's extremely worrying how hard it is to leave. Also, there are rumours that in the future, the app will ask you for payment, which we all know ain't good.

Influencers and creators be careful when signing up to Vero ? pic.twitter.com/As3FLAglv5

— OKAYLAAA (@KaylaCJenkins) February 27, 2018

While I may be biting my tongue in weeks to come because everyone and their mother has joined it - for now I'm going to say no. Just no.