I. A Better Way to Make Real Friends Online

In recent years, one search term has surged across app stores and browsers alike: “how to make friends.” Not “how to flirt,” not “how to date,” but more likely on focusing on how to connect with people, genuinely, without pressure.

It says a lot.

We are witnessing a cultural shift, particularly among Gen Z. This generation has grown up online, adept at navigating memes and micro-interactions, yet they are becoming increasingly disillusioned with social platforms that prioritise performance over genuine presence. They seek more than just people to follow; they are looking for meaningful conversations, relationships, and authentic connections.

That’s where BeFriend comes in.

Unlike platforms that originated as dating apps and later added «friend modes» as an afterthought, BeFriend was designed from the ground up to foster connections. We emphasise flexibility and create an ecosystem that encourages positive self-expression. Our approach allows users to meet people based on shared interests, making it easier to connect with those you genuinely want to get to know.

If you’ve ever scrolled through an app and thought, “I’m not looking for a hookup—I just want to find someone who gets me,” you’re in the right place.

Let’s start with why this question—how do you make real friends online?—matters more now than ever.

II. Why “Learning How to Make Friends” Has Become a Core Social Skill

Let’s set aside the assumption that friendship “just happens.” Because in 2025, it doesn’t—not for everyone, and especially not for Gen Z.

The truth is, building meaningful friendships is no longer a passive social outcome. It’s a skill. A practice. Sometimes, a survival strategy.

We’re talking about a generation that came of age during a pandemic, entered school or the workforce through screens, and socialised through platforms designed more for visibility than vulnerability. According to a recent Pew Research Centre study, 57% of teens have made at least one new friend online, not because they preferred it, but because their real-life environments no longer offered the same opportunities their parents once had: daily hallway chats, school clubs, spontaneous hangs.

Add to that the normalisation of ghosting, social burnout, and ever-shifting group chats, and it’s not hard to see why so many young adults are wondering: “How do I actually meet people—people who get me?”

The irony? This generation is more connected than ever—and more emotionally distant than we’ve seen in decades.

So, friendship isn’t just a nice-to-have anymore. It’s emotional infrastructure. It’s how people process identity, stress, creativity, and growth. It’s how they anchor themselves in a world that changes fast and often feels isolating.

III. Why So Many People Are Searching for “Apps to Make New Friends”

An interesting survey indicated this: Dating apps have long served as a way to find friends rather than just romantic partners. A 2021 OnePulse survey of over 300 Gen Z respondents aged 16 to 24 revealed that at least 1 in 3 (35%) had used dating apps to make platonic friends in the past year. This trend isn’t limited to Gen Z; a similar WayUp poll conducted among college students in 2016 found that more than half of the respondents were using dating apps to form platonic connections. In 2023, according to the Pew Research Centre, nearly 1 in 4 current or recent online dating app users reported that making new friends was a «major reason» for using these platforms. (Source: The rise of apps to find friends instead of romance)

What causes this phenomenon? Here we are diving into some prospects to answer this:

1. Online-Only Friendships Have Become Common

Nearly 4 in 10 Americans report having friendships that exist only online—relationships sustained entirely through digital communication channels. That’s almost double the number of face-to-face-only social connections from previous generations.

2. Teens Often Start Their Friendships Digitally

A Pew Research Center study found that 57% of teens (ages 13–17) have made a new friend online through social platforms, gaming, or chat rooms. This highlights how digital friendship is no longer niche—it’s mainstream.

3. Social Structures Have Changed—Friendship Doesn’t Just “Happen” Anymore

The world teens once built their social lives around—school hallways, neighborhood clubs, Sunday gatherings—has largely disappeared for many adults. Social routines have fractured, and Gen Z is left to reconstruct connections with intention. In 2021, nearly 1 in 2 Americans reported losing touch with friends during lockdowns, forcing friendship to evolve into digital terrain.

IV. Step-by-Step: How to Build Genuine Friendships on BeFriend

1. Download the App & Own Your Story

The setup is easy—and entirely up to you. Tell us what you’re into, what makes you laugh, your go-to midnight snack… or don’t. The key? Be real, not “Insta-perfect.” Share only what feels right, but be honest—because the most authentic connections come from being unapologetically yourself.

2. Build a Profile That Feels Like You

You’ve got up to 5 photo slots—use them. Add that blurry concert pic, the one where your eyeliner is perfect, or even a goofy meme if it screams your vibe. Add some interest tags (anime? sustainability? chaotic playlists?) and connect your Spotify to let people know what’s blasting in your headphones. You’re not curating a brand—you’re inviting someone into your world.

3. Swipe Smarter, Not Harder

This isn’t roulette. With BeFriend, you control the deck. Set filters based on age, zodiac sign (yes, we know you check), shared interests, or even location. Whether you want to vibe with someone down the street or across the ocean, we’ve made it super easy to meet people who just get you.

4. Link Up—Only When You’re Ready

Wanna connect on Instagram, Snapchat, or Discord? Cool. Don’t want to share your socials? Also cool. With BeFriend, you’re in control. Our privacy-first approach lets you decide when (and if) you want to take the convo somewhere else.

5. Start a Conversation That Doesn’t Suck

“Hey” is… fine. But memes? Way better. Or be brave and start a conversation that relates to their bio—“You journal with three pens? Tell me everything.” Use prompts, GIFs, or shared interests to break the ice naturally. You’re not here to perform; you’re here to connect. Let the weird, warm, and wonderful friendships begin.

V. Why BeFriend Stands Out from Other Social Apps

If you’ve ever downloaded a «friendship» app and found yourself dodging flirty messages or feeling uncomfortable sharing your true self, we understand. That’s precisely why BeFriend was designed to be different.  We don’t claim to be the only option out there, but we believe we are the one that makes the most sense, especially for Gen Z and young users seeking connection without the pressure.

It’s Not a Dating App in Disguise

Let’s clear that up right away. BeFriend is all about friendship, not romance. That means no awkward pickup lines, no hidden agendas, and no stress about being misunderstood. All you can find here are tons of people looking for real conversation, shared interests, and mutual respect.

Safety First, Always

We take your experience seriously. From AI-powered content moderation to reporting tools that actually work, BeFriend is designed to be a safe space to show up as yourself. Your profile, your pace, your privacy.

Whether you’re just vibing or opening up, we want you to feel secure doing it.

You Set the Vibe

On BeFriend, your profile isn’t just a box of stats—it’s your story. From Spotify integration to moodboards, filters, prompts, and pronouns, we give you the tools to express who you really are. Because real friendships don’t start with “just a selfie.”

We believe when people feel seen, they connect better. And that’s kind of the whole point.

Built for Real Talk, Not Small Talk

Tired of surface-level chats? Us too. That’s why we make it easy to match based on interests, not just location. Whether you’re into astrology, anime, chaotic playlists, or late-night overthinking, you’ll find people who get your vibe.

And when you do? You can move the conversation wherever you want—Discord, IG, TikTok, or just stay in-app. There are no rules, just real choices.

So, why BeFriend?

Because we’re not trying to be everything to everyone.
We’re just here for people like you—
the ones who still believe that friendships can be real, even if they start with a swipe.

Ready to connect?

A space for real friendships —no pressure, no pretending.