BeReal Mutuals: Building Genuine Connections in a Real-First Social App

BeReal has quietly upended the way many people think about social media. Rather than chasing vanity metrics or perfectly curated feeds, users are invited to share candid moments with a small circle of friends. A core concept behind this shift is the idea of be real mutuals—people who both follow you and are followed by you, forming a reciprocal, trusted network. In this guide, we’ll explore what be real mutuals are, why they matter, and practical steps to cultivate a meaningful, authentic community on BeReal. Whether you are new to the app or you’ve been posting for a while, understanding mutuals can help you get more value from BeReal while protecting your time, privacy, and peace of mind.

What are BeReal mutuals?

On BeReal, mutuals are the people whose connections are two-way. You follow them, and they follow you back. When you post a BeReal, it appears in the feeds of your mutuals, and you can see theirs in return. The mutual relationship is what transforms a broad following into a tight-knit circle where moments feel more intimate and less performative. Because mutuals see your posts, they’re often more inclined to respond with genuine reactions, whether through the real-time RealMoji feature or quick messages. The emphasis on reciprocity makes be real mutuals a powerful signal of trust within the BeReal ecosystem.

Why be real mutuals matter

Authenticity over metrics: Mutuals tend to value honest, everyday moments rather than idealized highlights. This makes your content feel more human and relatable.
Two-way visibility: Since both sides see each other’s posts, your audience is more likely to engage, comment, or share a real reaction, rather than a generic like.
Privacy and control: A mutual network is a natural veil between public feeds and private moments. You decide who belongs in that circle, which can reduce noise and anxiety.
Support and accountability: A reliable set of mutuals can provide encouragement, constructive feedback, and accountability for regular posting, which helps you stay connected without feeling overwhelmed.
Consistency and trust: When you interact consistently with be real mutuals, you create a dependable rhythm of communication that strengthens relationships beyond the app.

How to grow your BeReal mutuals

Growing be real mutuals is about quality relationships, not chasing a large number of followers. Here are practical steps to develop a meaningful mutual circle:

Be intentional with who you follow: Start by choosing friends, classmates, collaborators, or colleagues who share an interest in authentic moments. It’s better to cultivate a smaller, reliable group than to connect with many who rarely engage.
Invite reciprocal connections gently: If you admire someone’s BeReal posts, consider following them with a note about mutuality. If they follow you back, you’ve established a mutual link.
Engage thoughtfully: Comment with tailored reactions or messages that reflect what stood out in their post. Real engagement strengthens the bond between mutuals.
Post consistently with authenticity: Regular, candid posts give your mutuals more opportunities to engage, respond, and feel connected to your daily life.
Respect boundaries: If someone prefers a smaller circle or limits what they share publicly, honor those preferences. Mutual growth is built on mutual respect.
Leverage RealMoji and quick replies: Use the platform’s reaction tools to acknowledge moments quickly and warmly, without turning every post into a performance.
Create themes or weekly prompts: A light structure—like “Monday Morning BeReal” or “Sunday Snapshot”—can help mutuals anticipate your posts and engage more consistently.

Crafting authentic posts for your mutuals

Authenticity isn’t about slapping together a random photo; it’s about presenting a slice of real life that feels approachable and human. Here are strategies to resonate with be real mutuals:

Show the everyday: Small, ordinary moments—coffee in the morning, a desk setup, a walk in the park—often carry the most resonance.
Be transparent, not oversharing: Balance openness with boundaries. Share what you’re comfortable with, and let mutuals know when you prefer lighter content.
Include context in captions: A short caption that adds a tiny backstory or a tiny thought can invite conversation without feeling contrived.
Use two-way interaction: After your post, respond to comments, ask a simple question, or invite mutuals to share a moment from their day.
Vary your content formats: Photos, short videos, or even a quick back-and-forth through RealMoji can keep your mutuals engaged without the pressure to perform.

Privacy, boundaries, and etiquette

With be real mutuals, privacy is a shared responsibility. While the app encourages openness, you should still manage what you reveal and who can see it. Consider the following practices to maintain healthy boundaries:

Review your follower list periodically: If someone becomes uncomfortable with your level of sharing, you can adjust your mutuals by unfollowing or muting them while preserving a respectful connection elsewhere.
Keep sensitive information private: Avoid posting details that could expose your personal routines, location data, or other sensitive information for a broader audience.
Set expectations with new mutuals: A brief note or a friendly welcome can align mutuals on posting intentions, response times, and comfort zones.
Avoid public drama: BeReal notes and feeds are designed to be calm and genuine. If something becomes tense, step back and focus on positive, constructive interactions.

Common pitfalls and how to avoid them

Even with good intentions, you may run into challenges when building be real mutuals. Here are common pitfalls and practical fixes:

Over-curation: The danger of turning your mutual circle into a polished portfolio. Solution: embrace imperfect moments and imperfect captions to keep the vibe authentic.
One-sided engagement: If you post but rarely reply to mutuals, the reciprocity you’re aiming for weakens. Solution: commit to timely, thoughtful responses and recognize mutual effort.
Privacy fatigue: Feeling overwhelmed by constant sharing. Solution: set boundaries and occasionally take breaks from posting while still supporting mutuals through comments or messages.
Echo chambers: Only following people with the same interests. Solution: diversify your mutuals to include different perspectives while maintaining mutual respect.

BeReal mutuals and mental health

For many users, be real mutuals contribute positively to mental health by reducing the pressure to appear perfect and by fostering real companionship. A trusted group can offer encouragement during tough days and a sense of belonging in a digital era full of quick, surface-level interactions. To keep this benefit intact, prioritize quality over quantity: a handful of reliable mutuals who respond with kindness can be more sustaining than a large, superficial network. If you notice social fatigue creeping in, it’s perfectly okay to scale back or reset your approach—your well-being matters more than any online metric.

The future of be real mutuals

As BeReal continues to evolve, the concept of mutuals may expand with new features that enhance reciprocity and privacy. Expect better tools for managing who sees your posts, clearer signals about engagement quality, and perhaps more nuanced ways to share moments with a trusted circle. For creators and everyday users alike, the core idea remains the same: a mutual network built on reciprocity and authenticity can transform a casual app into a genuine social space. Paying attention to your be real mutuals—nurturing those relationships, and adapting as the platform grows—will likely pay dividends in engagement, satisfaction, and real connection.

Conclusion

BeReal mutuals represent a shift toward meaningful, two-way relationships in a space that often prizes speed over substance. By focusing on authentic moments, respectful boundaries, and thoughtful engagement, you can cultivate a be real mutuals network that feels supportive rather than exhausting. The goal isn’t to maximize your follower count but to deepen connections with people who matter. When you invest in be real mutuals, you invest in a social experience that rewards honesty, empathy, and consistent, human interaction. Whether you’re posting a quiet morning coffee, a messy desk, or a spontaneous outdoor moment, your mutuals will likely respond with understanding—and that is precisely the heart of BeReal.