UpDog: Video Take Over
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

UpDog: Video Take Over

Central-Florida based app revamps the review industry.

110
UpDog: Video Take Over
UpDog

Generations are unique from one another, coming together only in the sense that technology has built the foundation for today’s society. The Internet generation, Generation Z, may soon see just how strong that foundation is.

Technological advances are made day in and day out that keep App Developers on their toes, while App Founders are simultaneously being challenged to outsmart the competition. Entrepreneur Bree Goldstein founded UpDog, which is an app that takes the traditional method of online reviewing and molds it into one that appeals to an on-the-go market.

It all began when Goldstein posed a question to her students; she asked if their generation wasn’t using Yelp to write reviews, where could they possibly be getting their information. The answers generally consisted of: posts on Vine or YouTube, comments and videos on Instagram or video stories on Snapchat.

“We found that 95 percent of Millenials trust their friends as credible sources for product and business reviews,” Goldstein said.

Discovering the power that social media held on the newer generations was key to the success of Goldstein’s idea. Millenials prefer streamlined mobile apps that have one purpose and are easily accessible rather than bulky websites. UpDog allows consumers to review a business, location, or event with a simple 15-second video. It provides a platform that relates specifically to your current geographic location and the three miles surrounding it.

“I use social media very often and I would definitely use [UpDog] before I would ever use Yelp,” Lindsey LaPierre said. “I think Yelp is geared more towards an older generation.”

In addition to streamlining the review process, Goldstein’s creation solves another major issue in the industry – fictitious accounts and false reviews. UpDog syncs with users’ Facebook profiles to help minimize these occurrences.

“The whole goal is to bring transparency and trust back to the review industry,” she said. “When I moved here, I didn’t have a network, I didn’t know a single person … I started looking for doctors and I couldn’t trust any of the reviews.”

As a results-driven, public relations specialist, Goldstein founded an agency called Publicly Related. That experience gave her the knowledge to know insider tricks of the trade including how to get great testimonials and positive reviews to boost business rankings. It also gave her trust issues industry-wide.

“I rarely take online reviews seriously because I think many of them are created by business owners to make their business look better,” Brooke Gunlock said.

With any new development, there are positive and negative outcomes. Although UpDog has seen a fairly good amount of success in the three weeks since it was released, some concerns have come about. One of the biggest being that the app’s competition consists of very large, multimillion-dollar companies; companies they are facing head on from a bootstrapped, out-of-pocket, debt-free start up.

“My biggest concern is that people won’t use it,” Goldstein admitted. “… We’re on every continent other than Antarctica … We’ve had great traction.”

From the U.S. to China, UpDog will soon be taking the world by storm, even if it requires being downloaded illegally in countries where Facebook and Google have been banned. 1,123 users have downloaded the app worldwide between September 19 and October 6. The number can go only up from there, so Goldstein’s concern is one of little importance at this time.

Another concern for the newly launched app is that users may be easily confused as to which app they should be downloading. UpDog: Easy Video Reviews, is currently available on the Apple App Store, right above UpDog: Upvote Your World. Once the minor App Store confusion is cleared up, the new app will be making waves locally and globally.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, imagine how much a video can do. Keep your eyes and ears open; UpDog video reviews may just be the next big thing.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
the beatles
Wikipedia Commons

For as long as I can remember, I have been listening to The Beatles. Every year, my mom would appropriately blast “Birthday” on anyone’s birthday. I knew all of the words to “Back In The U.S.S.R” by the time I was 5 (Even though I had no idea what or where the U.S.S.R was). I grew up with John, Paul, George, and Ringo instead Justin, JC, Joey, Chris and Lance (I had to google N*SYNC to remember their names). The highlight of my short life was Paul McCartney in concert twice. I’m not someone to “fangirl” but those days I fangirled hard. The music of The Beatles has gotten me through everything. Their songs have brought me more joy, peace, and comfort. I can listen to them in any situation and find what I need. Here are the best lyrics from The Beatles for every and any occasion.

Keep Reading...Show less
Being Invisible The Best Super Power

The best superpower ever? Being invisible of course. Imagine just being able to go from seen to unseen on a dime. Who wouldn't want to have the opportunity to be invisible? Superman and Batman have nothing on being invisible with their superhero abilities. Here are some things that you could do while being invisible, because being invisible can benefit your social life too.

Keep Reading...Show less
houses under green sky
Photo by Alev Takil on Unsplash

Small towns certainly have their pros and cons. Many people who grow up in small towns find themselves counting the days until they get to escape their roots and plant new ones in bigger, "better" places. And that's fine. I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought those same thoughts before too. We all have, but they say it's important to remember where you came from. When I think about where I come from, I can't help having an overwhelming feeling of gratitude for my roots. Being from a small town has taught me so many important lessons that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Keep Reading...Show less
​a woman sitting at a table having a coffee
nappy.co

I can't say "thank you" enough to express how grateful I am for you coming into my life. You have made such a huge impact on my life. I would not be the person I am today without you and I know that you will keep inspiring me to become an even better version of myself.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

96306
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments