Duby Blurs the Lines Between Social Networking and Gaming

Duby is a social network focusing on cannabis-related content. Users create and post content called Dubys and pass them around to the closest users in their area. The best part about Duby is the way posts are shared through its unique algorithms. Using Duby feels more like playing a game than checking for new posts.

“It ‘s a unique way to share information. It was challenging at first to figure out, and it took us two years to do it, but it’s a fun way to share. It goes out to the people who are closest to you, which allows you to pass the Duby on further. That gives us the ability to create trends, based on popular content, and influencers, quicker than other platforms,” Alec Rochford, CEO and co-founder of the social network told Vator TV. “With Instagram, for example, it only goes out to those who follow you. Even if you use a hashtag, it ends up in space. That is what separates us from everyone else. We can distribute popular content quickly, and everyone who uses the app is on the same playing field to have their content go viral.”

The target audience includes not ony the 20 to 34 age group, which represents about 40 percent of Duby’s users, but the older age groups as well. Interestingly enough, Duby holds a higher engagement rate than other apps like Snapchat and Twitter with users spending an average of 20 minutes per day.

Rochford believes part of Duby’s success is thanks to the app’s gamification aspect. Each user has a score that’s based on how popular their content is, pushing users to share more photos and videos. More and more businesses are joining the app, which led Rochford to plan on focusing on brands and dispensaries, and helping them advertise in more targeted ways.

Given the astronomical success of gaming apps like Pokemon Go, which makes $2 million per day,  it’s no surprise that Duby is attracting attention among cannabis users.