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After a 4-year hiatus, the anonymous posting app recently made a surprise return to the social media universe.

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A post shared by Yik Yak (@yikyakapp)

So, what’s Yik Yak again?

Here are the main points you need to know:

• Anonymity – Posts are anonymous. They’re also called “Yaks,” because why not?

• Location – You only see posts from those within a 5-mile radius of your current location. Those within your radius are known as your “Herd.”

• Upvoting – Yaks can be up/down-voted and commented on. (5 downvotes mean a Yak is removed.)

• Yakarma – The more popular your Yaks, the more “Yakarma” you get (kind of like Reddit Karma)

When Yik Yak closed in 2017, part of the problem with the app was that its anonymous nature made it ripe for bullying and general negativity. The app’s new owners have instated a zero tolerance “one strike and you’re out” policy to help combat this.

Why it matters

The nature of Yik Yak makes it a hard place for brands to interact within. It’s probably best to tread carefully/watch from a distance for now. If the app is more successful in this iteration than it was in the past, though, it may soon be a platform worth pursuing.

To check it out for yourself, download Yik Yak from your phone’s app store.

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Stories & Analysis

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Looking for More Social Media Help?

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