Looky Social Network

Main article: Social media

2023

Adding neurofilters to generate and process content

On June 14, the LOOKY social network announced additional functions within the application. The latest version of LOOKY now has neurofilters for generating and processing content. Users have more than 20 filters that can be used for free.

The built-in neural network generates new images in 24 different styles: from "cyberpunk" and "anime" to "futurism." You can get into the paintings of Van Gogh and Rembrandt, or you can cheer your friends and apply the zucchini filter.

You need to upload a photo, select from one to three filters and in a few minutes get a neuro set of 15 generated photos. For each filter, LOOKY generates 5 pictures. The resulting images can be saved to a smartphone, published in LOOKY or other social networks.

In the LOOKY feed, you can already find photos generated by the neural network using the hashtag# LOOKY_neyronka: users publish themselves as comic book heroes, people from the future and even monsters.

LOOKY developers plan to expand the list of filters and capabilities for generating content. As of June 2023, AI functionality in the application can be used for free. In the future, access to this functionality is planned to be made paid.

Attracting 300 million rubles from private investors

Social network LOOKY, which positions itself as Russian Instagram (owned by a company Meta whose activities are recognized extremist and prohibited in) Russia with expanded opportunities for, e-commerce attracted 300 million from rubles Russian private investors. The transaction took place with the support of the investment company Voskhod Capital, which became an adviser to LOOKY on attracting investments. Representatives social network development company reported this TAdviser on April 11, 2023.

The startup plans to direct the funds received to refine the functionality, attract users, work with bloggers and creators. In addition, the team will integrate the largest Russian marketplaces, create tools for the promotion and sale of goods and services on its platform.

The purpose of the platform is to return users to their usual functionality, bloggers - a platform for monetization, and Russian small and medium-sized businesses - tools for the development of social shopping and online trading.

"LOOKY's strategy is to become a real alternative Instagram for the Russian user. The functionality of the social network should cover the needs of users, bloggers and business. The team's experience and competencies also allow us to transform the online retail market, "said Anna Barinova, CEO of LOOKY.

As of April 2023, LOOKY has the main functionality of Instagram, as well as the ability to transfer content, a unique profile name and a database of subscribers from the banned social network for free.

In addition, a blockchain-based loyalty program has been introduced that allows large brands to interact with their subscribers in a new way. Among the partners of the program today are Synergetic, FlowWOW, TNT, TVC, Independent Media Media Holding, IVI.

"After blocking Instagram *, users, businesses and the online retail market need new tools and mechanics. We see the potential of LOOKY and the team's readiness to implement its strategy, so we are glad to help the Russian product go to great goals, "said Mikhail Afonin, founder and CEO of Voskhod Capital.

2022: Social network launch

The creators of LOOKY expect to attract at least 10% of Russian Instagram users by 2024 (recognized as extremist and banned in Russia). CS Development LLC announced this on December 6, 2022.

LOOKY retains the familiar functions of Instagram: posts, stories, photo and video editor, filters, hashtags, comments and direct.

Already at the beginning of December 2022, 5 distinctive functions are available in the application. The first is synchronization with Instagram. After registering, the user can sync his LOOKY account with an existing Instagram profile and automatically transfer a nickname, profile photo, posts, subscriptions and followers. The posts that the user will post on Instagram after the transfer will be duplicated in LOOKY. At the same time, posts made in LOOKY are not duplicated on Instagram.

The second is to publish xrefs directly to posts. On Instagram, they were allowed only in the profile hat and in stories.

The third is that donations and donations to LOOKY can be sent and received in one click.

The fourth is a built-in loyalty program using blockchain and NFT technologies. For posting posts, attracting new subscribers and other actions in LOOKY, users receive virtual awards - LOOKS (Luks), which can be collected and exchanged for prizes.

The fifth is sorting posts by thematic folders: this makes it easier for users to navigate content.

LOOKY was developed by a Russian team led by Yegor Yakovlev, who is known as the founder of streaming services Tvigle.ru and Start.ru.

The LOOKY team includes top managers and specialists with experience in Russian companies such as Rostelecom, Sberbank Technologies, Ozon, VimpelCom, etc.

According to the information presented on the website of the social network Looky, its copyright holder and operator is CS Development LLC with a legal address in Georgia.

We wanted to make our Instagram, just better - that's how LOOKY came about. We have a quality product, a professional team and a clear understanding of what users want. Our goal is to become a leader in our niche and take at least a tenth of the Instagram audience by 2024 - it looks quite real for us - said Yegor Yakovlev, head of the LOOKY project.

The LOOKY app is available for download on Google Play, App Store and App Gallery.