Launched in 2015 after Twitter acquired it, Periscope let anyone tap a button and instantly stream real, energetic moments from concerts and sunsets to news and everyday life.
For a while, Periscope was the star of live video. But its journey is also deeply connected to another app that came right before it.
Periscope was unfiltered in a simple way. People went live without planning or editing. What you saw was real and happening at that moment. It felt honest and close, like being there with them.
The Meerkat Connection
Before Periscope arrived, Meerkat became super popular at a big tech event. It also used Twitter to share live streams. People loved Meerkat because it was fast and fun. But suddenly Twitter blocked Meerkat from using its platform and gave that same power to Periscope instead. Since Twitter owned Periscope, it wanted to push it forward. This change took away Meerkat’s biggest advantage and gave Periscope the spotlight.
Lesson: When two apps fight for the same space, the one with the stronger platform usually wins.
Why Periscope Faded: The Stream That Slowed Down
The Heavy Competition
Not long after Periscope took over Meerkat, bigger platforms joined the live streaming trend. Facebook Live, Instagram Live and YouTube Live grew very fast. Since these apps already had millions of users, most people chose them for live video instead of opening a separate app.
Lesson: It is hard to compete when everyone else has a bigger audience.
The Engagement Challenge
Periscope had hearts and comments that felt friendly. But it did not keep adding new features the way other apps did. Instagram added filters and stickers. TikTok later made quick and fun content popular. Periscope did not grow at the same speed, so many users drifted away.
Lesson: Good ideas need constant improvement.
The Identity Problem
Periscope belonged to Twitter, but Twitter was mostly used for short posts. Many users did not think of Twitter as a place for video. Because of this, Periscope never fully blended in and never fully stood alone. This made its purpose unclear.
Lesson: A strong identity helps an app survive longer.
The Changing Internet
People slowly started to prefer short clips instead of long live streams. Apps like TikTok and Instagram Reels changed what people wanted to watch. Periscope could not adapt fast enough.
Lesson: The internet never stops changing.
The Final Thought
Periscope did not disappear because it was bad. It helped shape the world of live streaming. Many features that exist in livestream platforms today started with Periscope and even with Meerkat before it.
Periscope and Meerkat together taught us something important
New ideas can start a movement
Strong platforms shape the future
And the apps that grow the fastest are the ones that last the longest
Visit the Archive to learn more about past apps here
Also read about periscope on bbc
