What was Periscope?

Periscope was a live‑video streaming app, launched by Twitter in March 2015. It let you broadcast real-time video from your phone (or tablet) and chat with viewers through comments and “hearts” — kind of like giving live thumbs‑ups. Think of it like sharing a window into your world, live and unfiltered.

Why did Periscope matter?

Periscope brought live video into the mainstream. It let anyone—from journalists at breaking news scenes to your friend at a concert—share moments as they happened. It was a pioneer of interactive livestreaming, where viewers and broadcasters interacted in real-time. Celebrities, politicians, and brands used it to connect more personally with audiences.

How did Periscope work?

  • Start broadcasting: Open the app, tap to start a live stream, add a title or description.
  • Viewers join: They could watch live, comment, or send hearts.
  • Replay & duration: Streams were saved and replayable for up to 24 hours by default.
  • Privacy options: You could choose to broadcast publicly or just to followers/friends.

What set Periscope apart from other live-stream platforms?

  • Interactivity: Instant comments and hearts created real-time engagement.
  • “Map View”: Discover streams happening anywhere around the globe via a map.
  • Twitter integration: It was built right into Twitter, making it easy to notify followers.

These features spurred a shift in live social media, influencing Facebook Live, Instagram Live, YouTube Live, and more.

Why was Periscope discontinued?

Twitter shut Periscope down on March 31, 2021. The main reasons were:

  1. Falling user numbers—people shifted to Facebook Live, Instagram Live, TikTok, etc.
  2. High maintenance costs to keep the app running.
  3. Redundancy—Twitter had already built live-video features into its main app (“X”).

Even though the standalone app ended, most basic live-video functionality still exists inside Twitter/X.

What’s the legacy of Periscope?

  • It defined interactive livestreaming, making real-time video sharing accessible to anyone.
  • It shaped industry norms: comments, hearts, map discovery, replays—these are now standard across platforms.
  • If you use or watch live video today, you’re seeing Periscope’s influence—even if you’ve never heard of the app.

Tips for modern livestreaming (Periscope lessons to live-by)

  • Engage your audience: Acknowledge comments, answer questions live.
  • Add context: A short description helps viewers know what they’re joining.
  • Mix it up: Change scenery, activities, or pace to keep viewers watching.
  • Choose your privacy: Decide whether it’s public for wider reach or private for select viewers.
  • Save the replay: If the platform allows, keep the video available afterward for later viewing.

Periscope may be gone, but its DNA lives on in every live broadcast you tune into—including Twitter/X. It taught us that streaming isn’t just about showing—it’s about engaging, sharing, and doing it together in real time.