In a world where instant gratification and constant connectivity dominate our lives, a new social media app is turning the tide. Roost, the ‘slow-cial’ app, is forcing users to slow down and appreciate the art of messaging. By leveraging the speed of real-life birds, Roost is creating a refreshing alternative to the usual social media experience.

Source: techcrunch.com

At the heart of Roost is the concept of a ‘rookery,’ where users can add four birds to their virtual flock. Each bird has its unique speed, ranging from the swift falcon to the leisurely hummingbird. This means that messages sent through Roost can take anywhere from a few minutes to several days to reach their destination, depending on the bird’s speed.

Source: techcrunch.com

The Creator’s Vision

Logan Mendelsohn, the creator of Roost, is a senior product manager in trust and safety at Ticketmaster. He started building Roost as a side project, but it quickly gained traction among his friends. They encouraged him to publish the app on the App Store, and the rest is history.

Source: techcrunch.com

According to Mendelsohn, Roost was born out of a desire to create a platform that would allow people to slow down and appreciate the art of messaging. ‘Everything on a phone is instantaneous these days,’ he said. ‘It’s like you’re always getting some notification or something. [Roost] is kind of a break from the instant. It’s resonating with people in a way where they don’t feel pressure all the time to have to do something.’

The Rise of Roost

Roost started with a small niche following, but it gained momentum when a mother posted on Threads about how her daughter was communicating with her friends in Elizabethan English on the app. Within three days, the app grew from 10,000 to 100,000 users, and now, about five weeks later, Roost is on the verge of hitting 300,000 users.

What’s driving the app’s success? Mendelsohn attributes it to the wholesome and whimsical nature of Roost. ‘The people are what really make this platform, and what people kept talking about is how wholesome it is, and how whimsical it is, and how much this really helps them put more intention into what they’re saying to people,’ he said. ‘There’s a lot less pressure when you know that the message isn’t going to someone immediately. I think that’s really resonated with the user base.’

Trust and Safety

As a trust and safety professional, Mendelsohn knows that any social platform has the potential to be abused. To address this concern, Roost has implemented a default setting that only shares a user’s city with their friends. Users can manually enable a ‘close friends’ feature to share their precise location with specific people.

Mendelsohn also emphasized the importance of prioritizing trust and safety from the outset. ‘When you’re able to start at zero with that lens, then you can build it into the platform instead of doing it later,’ he said. This approach has paid off, as Roost has maintained a reputation for being a safe and welcoming community.

The Future of Roost

Roost is not just a social media app; it’s a movement. With its unique blend of bird-based messaging and community-driven features, Roost is revolutionizing the way we communicate. As the app continues to grow, it’s clear that Roost is here to stay.

So, what’s next for Roost? Mendelsohn is committed to continuing to develop the app, adding new features and improving the user experience. He’s also exploring ways to incorporate more art and creativity into the app, including a contest for users to contribute their own bird artwork.

In a world where instant gratification reigns supreme, Roost is a refreshing alternative. By embracing the slow pace of life and the beauty of messaging, Roost is creating a community that values connection and community over speed and efficiency.