Soul is a social platform founded by Zhang Lu in 2016. The company is operated by Shanghai Renyimen Technology Co., Ltd. and headquartered in Shanghai, China.[1][2] It focuses on common interests and gamified interactions.

Soul
Developer(s)Shanghai Renyimen Technology Co., Ltd.
Initial release2016
Operating systemAndroid, iOS
Websitewww.soulapp.cn

History edit

Zhang Lu started Soul app in 2016. It is operated by Shanghai Renyimen Technology Co., Ltd. In November 2017, Soul released it's recommendation system's 2.0 version and introduced Soul Square and Planet. In June 2018, Soul introduced voice chat and drew attention from Gen Z. In December 2018, Soul had nearly 10 million monthly active users. In 2019, Soul allowed users to DIY their avatars and introduced Facekini for avatar video calls. Also, it introduced Teen Mode and set restrictions for the users aged below 18. Soul launched Audio Partyroom in 2020. In June 2022, Soul filed for its HK IPO with China International Capital Corporation.[3] In 2023, Soul Made the Hurun Global Unicorn Index.[4][5][6]

Feature edit

  • Soul Test and Planet invite users to be grouped into thirty planets through five quick questions. Different planets represent different personas.[7]
  • Soul has a feature called Lingxi, which is an AI-powered relationship recommendation engine assisting users to built relationships.
  • Users can customize their virtual identities by using Soul Avatar.
  • With Soul Square, users can view and engage with the post of others.[8]
  • Based on common interest, Soul's interest group and Audio Partyroom are places where user can engage with others through text or voice chat to build in-depth connections in a themed group setting.
  • Soul has also a feature called Soul Bell, if two users whose Soul Bells are both turned on come across each other within a certain distance, and they fit each other's interest graphs, their Soul Bells will ring and they can start chatting.
  • Soul has some more features such as online games, NAWA POP, NAWA Store, AI chatbot.[9]

Operation edit

Soul operates in several markets around the world, including China, Japan, South Korea, Southeast Asia, and North America, etc.[10]

References edit

  1. ^ Che, Chang (2021-05-12). "'Smart' social media app Soul files for an IPO in the U.S." The China Project. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  2. ^ 郭蓉. "Craze? Fad? Bubble? The creator economy rises". global.chinadaily.com.cn. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  3. ^ Pandaily (2022-07-01). "Social Networking App Soul Applies for Hong Kong IPO". Pandaily. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  4. ^ "China Social App Soul Files Confidentially for U.S. IPO". Bloomberg.com. 2021-03-17. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  5. ^ "Dating Apps Thrive In China, Not Just For Romance". Forbes India. Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  6. ^ "Dating Apps Thrive in China, but Not Just for Romance". The New York Times. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  7. ^ "With 100 Million Users, Soul App Offers a Glance at an AI-powered Social Networking Wave". www.prnewswire.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  8. ^ "Soul-Chat, Match, Party - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  9. ^ laitimes (2022-08-08). "Soul founder Zhang Lu built a security fortress for Soul to crack down on lurking pig killing plates". laitimes. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  10. ^ "SOUL, THE SOCIAL APP THAT BORROWS THE CODES OF THE METAVERS AND which is a great success in China". Echangeur by BNP Paribas Personal Finance. Retrieved 2023-11-05.