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Have you heard about Jagat? It's the new kid on the block in the social media world, and it's making waves with its unique map-focused approach.

Jagat, a location-based social network, has recently surpassed an impressive milestone of 10 million users globally. It’s designed to encourage “real-life connections” and “adventures with friends.”

Jagat stands out with its interactive map interface, a fresh twist in the social media landscape. Available on both iOS and Android, it allows users to see their friends' locations in real time and discover new activities and people nearby.

As mentioned by TechCrunch, the app is somewhat reminiscent of the Snap-owned Zenly app (which shut down in February 2023)—in fact, Jagat offers a data import option for previous Zenly users.

Founded in Singapore and Indonesia by Barry Beagen and Loy Xing Zhe, Jagat was designed as a platform focused on exploration and spontaneous meet-ups, such as hikes, concerts, or casual hangouts. It is intentionally designed to avoid “passive scrolling.”

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The app's primary interface is a social map, where you can see where your friends are and what they're up to in real time. You can record places you've visited, send messages, stickers, or updates, and even organize local events or explore global communities.

Jagat is building features that focus on real-time, unpolished updates. Some new features recently announced as “Jagat 2.0” include:

• Home Screen Widgets – View friends' real-time locations from your phone’s home screen.

• Map-Driven Events – Kick off meetups with friends directly on the map.

• Organize Your Own Events – Plan gatherings with fully visualized locations.

• Unique Social Tags – Profile tags meant for “more effective connectsions” include labels such as Myers Briggs type indicator (MBTI), age, relationship status, friendship goals, sports rank, gaming rank, and more.

Why it Matters

Jagat's approach could be significant for social media marketers. In an era of largely passive content consumption, Jagat offers a platform focused on active, real-life engagement. If it works, this shift could herald a new trend in social networking, where the emphasis is on genuine connections and experiences rather than just content consumption.

For marketers, this means exploring new ways to engage with audiences. As it grows, Jagat's map-centric approach will offer unique opportunities for location-based marketing and community building. It's especially relevant for targeting Gen Z, who make up 85% of Jagat's user base and are known for valuing authentic experiences.