The rise of live videos can be attributed to several factors, one of them being the need for remote work during the Covid-19 pandemic. This phenomenon not only persisted but grew.
According to a study published in 2024, about 62% of people seeking relationships online in the United States reported experiencing situations where the photos did not match reality. These numbers appear to be increasing, driven by AI.
There is no shortage of studies highlighting the main issues reported by those who seek connections online. One of the most frequently mentioned is the discrepancy between app photos and real-life appearances, with heavily edited images prevailing.
Unfortunately, this seems to be an inevitability for connections that begin online. Or is it? The reality is that there are alternatives that not only help reduce the frequency of this and other issues associated with digital relationships but can eliminate them altogether.
One example is platforms like the chat Instacams.com, which are driving a movement of authenticity on the internet through live video calls. “Video chats,” as they are more commonly known, are becoming an excellent option for those tired of overly edited photos.
The rise of live videos: their role as a work tool
Before diving deeply into live videos in the context of online relationships, it is interesting to understand how they gained prominence. Although video calls and even video chats existed before, they reached their current prominence as a consequence of the pandemic.
In a world that could not connect physically, seeing others through screens was the next best option. What started as a tool for work and even for connecting with family and friends gradually expanded into the development of romantic relationships.
It was in this context that video chats, which already existed but were not as significant, grew in popularity. With the emergence of Instacams and similar sites, this usage increased even more, proving that live videos offered a safe alternative to many internet-related problems.
Live videos in the context of online relationships
Now that we’ve explored how the rise of live videos began, it’s worth discussing their most significant current use: video chats! These platforms connect individuals online, whether for friendship or romantic interests, allowing people to interact through live calls.
This positions video chats as direct competitors to dating apps, with notable advantages—one of which is mentioned in the very title: the end of heavily edited photos. It is impossible to tell if an image on a dating app is real, but live videos are much more reliable.
However, it is important to note that this does not mean video chats are free of challenges. Rather, they are not associated with the traditional problems of the space, such as “catfishing.” This is a topic that, in itself, deserves dedicated discussion, which we will explore separately.
The advantages of live videos and the end of catfishing
“Catfishing” refers to the act of pretending to be someone else in online relationships for various reasons. More than just heavily editing a photo, catfishing involves using someone else’s pictures. As discussed earlier, live videos eliminate this common problem.
And this is not the only advantage of the rise of live videos and video chats. Another benefit is the sense of “reality,” allowing us to hear the other person and observe how they act and react in real time. This is beneficial not only for romantic relationships but also for online friendships.
There is greater authenticity, transparency, emotional closeness, and much clearer communication. Not to mention the security aspect—if you are seeing a person in a live video, the chances are much lower that they are not who they claim to be, at least physically.
It is worth mentioning that with the rise of live videos and advancements in artificial intelligence, live videos are beginning to fall victim to real-time audiovisual editing. Even so, they remain the most interesting and secure option for those making online connections.