Sending a hilarious TikTok video to a friend, only to receive a lackluster emoji response or worse, no reaction at all, can be quite disappointing. Seen, a new social app, aims to tackle this by allowing friends to record live video reactions to the content you share with them.
Co-founded by experienced entrepreneur Faheem Kajee and actress Karen Gillan, known for her role as Nebula in “Guardians of the Galaxy,” Seen is a video messaging app available on iOS devices. Users can send videos in private one-on-one iMessages or group chats with up to 11 people. When recipients receive content, they must record a video reaction, visible only to the sender and mutual friends in the group chat. The sender then reciprocates with a reaction video, fostering authentic and engaging interactions.
A notable feature of Seen is its integration with TikTok, enabling users to share videos directly from the TikTok app. The app also offers a feed of popular TikTok videos and allows uploads from the iPhone’s camera roll, with plans to integrate YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels in the future.
Seen recently launched on the App Store and has garnered thousands of users. An Android version is in the works, although a specific release date hasn’t been announced yet.
Faheem Kajee emphasized the app’s goal of facilitating genuine connections, stating that video reactions prompt broader conversations and tangible results compared to simple thumbs-up reactions.
Kajee, who has co-founded other startups like Moment, Initial, and Found, praised Gillan’s involvement in the app’s conceptualization and distribution efforts, leveraging her Hollywood influence for user growth.
Backed by notable investors like Ev Williams, Kevin Lin, Kun Gao, and Patrick Lee, Seen has secured $1 million in funding. The app’s future plans include introducing a public feed, allowing interactions between content creators and fans, and exploring monetization avenues like premium features and advertising, with a focus on gathering user reaction data.
In a digital era craving authentic connections, Seen aims to fill a gap by offering meaningful and engaging interactions, especially as loneliness concerns rise among many individuals.
