About

StoryFire is a U.S.-based, creative video and writing entertainment platform posed as an "edgier alternative to YouTube." Users can create social posts with videos or text, gain followers and earn an in-app currency, called “Blaze,” intended to allow creators to earn money for producing content. The site launched in April 2017 after YouTuber Jesse Ridgway (McJuggerNuggets) and director Brian Spitz co-founded the app as a competitor to YouTube.

History

In April 2017, StoryFire^[1] launched its website (seen below) and app after co-founders Jesse Ridgway and Brian Spitz expressed frustrations over YouTube’s ever-changing restrictions and rules. Founded as an app for “stories with friends,” Ridgway and Spitz said StoryFire^[2] was inspired by fan engagement and interaction during McJuggerNuggets’ series Psycho Family. “We all play video games together. We all use social media together. We all watch YouTube videos together. Why not create videos and stories together?”

Features

StoryFire allows users to watch videos and read stories created by the community where they can share, like, comment or support creators by giving them Blaze, the in-app currency. Writing on the platform can be done in either a solo or group setting, which allows users to collaborate on a group story. Users can also follow friends to view their activity on the platform, as well as subscribe to content creators (seen below).

Creators can acquire a following via subscribers (similar to YouTube) and the platform features a “Creator Spotlight” and “Story Promotions” section to highlight both small and large creators with a wide range of subscribers (shown below). Certain content can only be viewed by using Blaze, allowing creators to set prices for certain pieces of content they produce.

Blaze can be purchased from app stores or earned by watching ads or creating and sharing content. This currency can be used by both creators and users for various activities. Creators who obtain Blaze can use it to boost and promote their content, while users can support them by tipping Blaze to their liking.

Highlights

In April 2017, StoryFire launched its Twitter^[3] account, which currently has about 22,000 followers. On Facebook,^[4] StoryFire has 2,400 followers and mostly posts updates and news surrounding the site’s new creators. Also launched around the same timeframe, the StoryFire Instagram^[5] has over 14,200 followers.

On July 10th, 2017, the StoryFire subreddit,^[6] /r/StoryFire, was created as a discussion forum for the platform, and now has over 300 members.

Throughout 2020, several notable content creators from YouTube joined the platform, including KEEMSTAR,^[7] Justin Whang^[8] and Twomad^[9] (seen below), helping to boost StoryFire’s renown.

Search Interest

External References