According to Alon Rivel, the Director of Global Marketing at Jack’d, millennials prefer interacting with each other in ways that do not always include text messages. “GIFs allow them to break the ice in a funnier and more interactive way,” he explains.
In today’s digital age, the GIF has taken over nearly every corner of digital communication. It’s no longer just kitten and “Nene Leakes” clips, either.
Today, it’s all about the reaction GIF where rather than typing out an expression like “Wow!” or “I’d like a piece of that,” or incorporating emoticons like :-O (“shocked”), chatspeak like LOL, or emojis, guys are reacting with GIFs that mimic how they would express themselves in person. Whether it’s a drop of the jaw, a widening of the eyes, or a dumbfounded stare, GIFs — unlike words that may not capture tone — provide a clear emotional reaction. They’re basically emojis in HD.
“Members report that a lot can be learned about the types of GIFs a guy uses in his chat,” continues Rivel. GIFs add a glow of light to a guy’s true personality. For example, a GIF of Bianca Del Rio rolling her eyes says, “Oh, please” and “I spend my Friday nights watching RuPaul’s Drag Race” all in one easy step.
Rivel advises guys find original GIFs that haven’t already been seen all over Facebook. “Our research has shown that guys appreciate when other guys try to make them laugh. Interestingly, we have also found that senders are more responsive to guys who react positively to their GIFs. Turns out that guys like guys who laugh at their jokes.”
GIFs on chat is just one of the exciting new features on Jack’d 4.0. Also being released this month is a newly designed version of their “Insights” function that not only lets members know the type of guys a man is into, but how frequently he responds to messages. Says Rivel, “Insights is a real time-saver. Why waste time on a guy who is not into you or takes forever to reply back?”
Additionally, Jack’d has enhanced its Anonymous Browsing feature (allows guys to check whose on the app without being seen) and its popular Swipe to Match function that allows members to match themselves with other members. If two men share a match, Jack’d acts a personal yenta, alerting the pair of their mutual interest.
These innovations follow last months’ announcement of increased safety measures on Jack’d including the disabling of screenshots and the app’s new blurring feature. The disabling of screenshots removes the ability to take screenshots of anything on the app. The blurring feature adds a rounding error to all member coordinates so instead of pinpointing a guy’s exact location, users are only given a general idea of a guy’s whereabouts. Both are in direct response to the rise in bullying and hate crimes against the LGBTQ community since the US presidential election that have made security a real concern to members throughout the world.
1.2 million guys use Jack’d. The app consistently ranks among the top four gay social apps in both the App Store and Google Play. 67% of Jack’d members in the United States are between 18-26. Nearly 60% are Black and Latino.
Jack’d 4.0 is live now on Android and iOS. The app promises more exciting additions soon including the introduction of exclusive Jack’d emojis.
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