"Shoot, Score, Share More! It's not advertising it's just an idea :)

The idea is where it all starts...

In the digital age, where every click and scroll of a page conceals the pursuit of new experiences and sensations, social media is the axis of social life for billions of users worldwide. However, the increasingly crowded digital landscape requires platform developers to innovate to keep their audience interested constantly. In this context, our new social media platform idea aims to bring a fresh, interactive dimension to how people discover and share places worldwide.

Inspired by Instagram's popularity in photo sharing and the gamification elements familiar from GeoGuessr, the platform invites users to showcase their favourite places and participate in a game of guessing locations based on others' photos. What's more, users can add their photos of the same places, creating an opportunity for competition and collaboration within a global community of like-minded individuals. This innovative combination of social sharing and gaming makes each photo part of a larger, global story.

While most social media platforms focus on the rapid consumption of content, our design focuses on deeper user engagement and an expanded online experience. Offering features such as photo accuracy competition, AI analytics and a point system for photo compatibility, the platform has the potential to become not only a place to share images but also an arena for learning, discovery and fun. This unique blend could attract a diverse audience, from photography enthusiasts to travel enthusiasts, making it a promising venture in an increasingly digital world.

...then market potential analysis?

The development of a new social media platform with gamification elements, which allows people to share and guess photos of places, is strongly justified by the market trends observed. The number of social media users is steadily increasing and with it the interest in forms of interaction that go beyond traditional likes and comments. Statistics indicate that more than 50% of internet users regularly use social media platforms to explore and share photographic content. The new platform, which combines these aspects with competition and opportunities for face-to-face interaction between users, has the potential to appeal to a wide range of people - from amateur photographers to professional content creators and travellers.

In particular, it is worth noting the growing segment of young users who are looking for novelty and are open to innovative ways of spending their time online. Trends such as the rise in popularity of augmented reality apps or mobile games indicate that younger generations expect social media to be not only a platform for observation but also active participation and new experiences. The introduction of gaming elements, such as scoring points for matching photos or competing to guess locations, fits perfectly with these expectations, offering more than just passive consumption of content.

Another key aspect of the market potential is the global reach and universality of the theme of discovering new places. Place photography connects people of different cultures and geographies, offering the platform a broad base of potential users from all over the world. In addition, the ability to integrate with geo-localisation features and online maps opens the way for partnerships with local businesses and tourism institutions, which can generate additional revenue streams and promote the platform in different regions. Thus, the new platform has the opportunity not only to gain popularity among a wide range of users but also to create added value for local communities and economies.

Social media is having a significant impact on the travel industry, becoming a key element in travel planning by consumers around the world. According to research, around 40% of young travellers choose their travel destinations based on the appeal of photos seen on social media. Furthermore, around 60% of people admit that their choices of hotels, resorts or tourist attractions are directly influenced by content seen on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook. Integrating our platform's features with the travel industry can capitalise on this trend, offering users not only travel inspiration but also practical tools for discovering and planning visits to recommended destinations. The introduction of interactive maps, reviews and direct booking links can significantly increase user engagement while supporting local tourism businesses by promoting their offers naturally and engagingly. With such functionalities, the platform will not only satisfy the aesthetic and entertainment needs of its users but will also become an important tool in the dynamics of the travel market.

But what about the money?

The monetisation of the new social media platform with gamification elements is based on several key strategies that aim to be sustainable in both financial and user terms. The first and primary source of revenue is the introduction of paid advertising options for companies and brands. These paid image placements allow companies to reach specific groups of users with offers tailored to their interests and location. Thanks to advanced data analysis algorithms, the platform can offer advertisers precise targeting, making their campaigns more effective and advertising costs better invested. This not only generates high revenue for the platform but also increases value for advertisers through high conversion and user engagement.

The second important element of the business model is the points and rewards system, which stimulates ongoing user activity and long-term engagement. Users earn points for activities such as guessing places correctly, adding their photos or participating in challenges. These points can be used within the platform to unlock special features such as exclusive photo filters, and early access to new features or special statuses in the community. This option not only increases user engagement but also creates a potential revenue stream through the introduction of premium subscriptions. These subscriptions could offer users additional benefits, such as no ads, access to exclusive content or the opportunity to earn more points. With this model, the platform gains value while offering users a more personalised and enriched experience.

First, they have to hear about us!

The marketing strategy for the new social media platform should focus on creating a strong brand that resonates with users' emotions and interests. A key element here is to build a community around shared passions for travel and photography. Collaborating with influencers in these fields becomes indispensable, as they can quickly increase brand awareness and build trust among their followers. Planned campaigns with influencers should use authentic content that naturally fits into everyday life, encouraging observers to check out and engage with the platform. In addition, an effective tool will be to organise and sponsor local and global photo events or competitions with prizes that mobilise users to actively participate and promote the platform to their networks.

At the same time, our strategy should include intensive digital media activities, including social media and search engine advertising campaigns, to maximise the reach and visibility of the platform. Using advanced analytics tools, these campaigns will focus on segmenting and targeting users with high engagement potential, basing activities on analysis of demographics, interests and online behaviour. SEO and SEM will be designed to attract organic and paid traffic, which is key to building a long-term online presence. The use of retargeting will re-engage users who have already visited the platform but have not taken a specific action, increasing the chances of conversion and loyalty. Through such integrated and multi-channel activities, the platform will be able to compete effectively in the market and attract continual new users, strengthening its position in the market.

Is it a good idea, after all?

In summary, the new idea of a social media platform with gamification elements, which focuses on discovering and sharing places through photographs, has excellent prospects to revolutionise the way people interact online. A balanced approach to monetisation, which includes both paid promotions and a points system for users, provides a solid financial foundation and added value for users. An intensive marketing strategy, using influencer partnerships and advanced digital campaigns, has the potential to quickly build a community around the platform and attract a wide range of photography and travel enthusiasts. Looking ahead, this platform has the potential not only to dominate the social media market but also to become a vital tool in the global culture of travel and destination discovery. With its unique combination of technology, community and fun, the new platform is poised to bring freshness and new quality to the social media market, engaging users worldwide.