ThingsBook is a new social media app that takes a different approach to traditional platforms. Instead of asking users what they are doing right now, it allows them to create a catalogue of what they love. The app is built on a text-first model, where every post is filed into a collection, such as books, movies, travel, food, fashion, or a hobby. This approach enables users to create a visual library of what they consume and how they feel about it.
The app's features are designed to make it easy for users to create and manage their collections. For example, users can scan a barcode or type in an ISBN to add a book to their library, and the app will pull in the details and cover art. They can then write a review, attach photos, and update their reading progress as they go. This feature makes it easy for users to keep track of what they've read and what they want to read.
ThingsBook allows users to create collections for different types of content, including movies, podcasts, and more. Every post can be public, shared with chosen friends, or kept entirely private, making it a versatile tool for different uses. Users can use the app as a diary, a reading log, or a small book club, depending on who they let in. This flexibility makes it an attractive option for users who want to control their online presence.
One of the unique features of ThingsBook is its Writers Program, which pays users for creating long-form content. The program is open to users aged 18 and above in the US and Canada, and pays $10 for each approved post, up to $300 in total. The app also features themed writing contests, some of which are run with partners like Webtoon and Wattpad, and offer cash rewards or platform perks.
Despite its innovative approach, ThingsBook faces challenges, particularly in terms of revenue. The app has no ads, no subscriptions, and no in-app purchases, which raises questions about how it will sustain itself in the long term. The fact that it is paying users to create content adds to the uncertainty, and it remains to be seen how long the platform can continue to offer this feature.
Despite these challenges, ThingsBook has already gained a significant following. The app has a rating of 4.5 on the App Store from 1,900 ratings, and has passed 100,000 downloads on the Play Store. This suggests that users are happy with the app and are finding it useful. The app's focus on slow, private writing rather than viral sharing may also help it to build a loyal community of users.
ThingsBook is suited to users who already keep lists, such as to-be-read piles, watch logs, or running tallies of places they have eaten. It provides a gentler home for users who are tired of performing for a feed, and allows them to write for themselves and share only when they feel like it. As with any new social platform, the people on it will decide how lively it feels, but the app's features make it an attractive option for users who value private writing and curation.
Key points
- ThingsBook has a rating of 4.5 on the App Store from 1,900 ratings and has passed 100,000 downloads on the Play Store.
- The app's Writers Program pays $10 for each approved long-form post, up to $300 in total, but is only open to users aged 18 and above in the US and Canada.
- ThingsBook has no ads, no subscriptions, and no in-app purchases, and instead relies on a unique revenue model.
