The popularity of video chat app, Houseparty, has increased exponentially due to the coronavirus pandemic. The government lockdown keeping millions of people at home has caused many to turn to video chat apps to connect with friends and loved ones.
In a recent report, the company revealed that the app added 50M new users in the last month. This is 70 times more than the average additions of new users in a normal month.
Houseparty was acquired by Fortnite maker, Epic Games in 2019
Increasing number of downloads
Apart from the app’s increasing number of users, the app has also seen a record increase in downloads across iOS and Andriod. According to data from Apptopia, Houseparty has seen 17.2 million new downloads.
Another research company, Sensor Tower estimated about 28 million new downloads. However, the above numbers did not include downloads on Mac and Chrome.
No. 1 Social app in 82 countries, including the U.S.
The increasing adoption of the video app has reflected in multiple app store charts across the world as it has become the number 1 social app on app store charts in 82 countries including the U.S.
While the US remains one of Houseparty’s largest markets, App Annie reported that there has been an increasing growth in demand in other regions especially Europe.
The app climbed to top of the overall mobile app chart in 16 countries.
Users spend longer times
Similar to the growth in usage, Houseparty has reported that users are spending a longer time on the app. According to the company, the average time in a conversation per user remains at more than 60 minutes. It, however, added that the average times were sometimes as high as 80 minutes since the pandemic started.
Unlike Zoom or Google Meets often used by companies for remote work and corporate meetings, Houseparty gives a more personal and social experience.
The app provides an interactive interface that shows people who are at a talk or hangout. It also shows live parties you can join and offers different in-app games like trivia or Heads Up. This makes the app especially popular among the younger generation.
Houseparty users are allowed connection to an average of 23 friends. Also, the app has revealed that nearly half of its users during conversations are playing games.
Houseparty recently made all its games free to play
However, with the growing popularity of the app being driven by the current pandemic, the company claims that even people from older generations are joining the party.
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