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Explainer

What is a map-based social app?

A map-based social app puts people on a map instead of in a feed. You open it and see who is around you right now, then decide who to talk to. iS Gather is a free map-based social app for iPhone, Android and the web, made by Transcend Technologies, Inc. (iSocialize). Here is what that means in practice and how its features fit together.

iS GatherPublished by Transcend Technologies, Inc.
3 min
iS Gather app screens on a city map at dusk: people nearby as 3D avatars on the live map and the 2D map view
On this page
  1. Map first, feed second
  2. What you can do on iS Gather
  3. Privacy on a map-based app
  4. How it differs from other apps
  5. Getting started
  6. See who is on iS Gather in your city
  7. Questions

Map first, feed second

Most social apps start with a feed ranked by an algorithm. A map-based social app starts with location: the map is the home screen, and the people and content on it are the ones near you. That makes it useful for meeting people in your own city, at an event, or when you have just moved somewhere new.

On iS Gather each person appears on the map as their own 3D avatar. Avatars move with their owner: walking, running or standing still depending on real-world speed. Tap any avatar to open that person's profile.

What you can do on iS Gather

See who is nearby. The live map shows people around you in real time, so you can tell at a glance whether anyone is around.

Break the ice. Send a one-tap ice breaker to someone on the map instead of writing a cold first message. They can reply, connect or ignore it, and conversations continue in messages.

Watch and post short videos. iS Gather has a vertical short-video feed. Videos and posts can carry hashtags and a location, and you can browse what is trending on Explore.

Go live. Tap Go Live to stream to your followers. Viewers can send virtual gifts during the stream.

Privacy on a map-based app

Being on a map should always be your choice. In iS Gather you pick a privacy mode in Settings. Public shows you on the map to everyone. Friends Only shows you only to your connections. Ghost Mode hides your location from everyone. You can switch at any time.

Only profiles in Public mode appear on public city pages. Block and report are available on every profile and message, and all members must be 16 or older.

How it differs from other apps

A map-based social app is not a dating app. iS Gather is built for friendship and local connection. It is also not a virtual office: iS Gather is a separate product from Gather.town.

Snap Map and similar features mainly show where your existing friends are. iS Gather is built around meeting new people nearby. Our article on location-based social networks compares the main options.

Getting started

Download iS Gather from the App Store or Google Play, or use it at isgather.com, where you can also install it as a web app. Then create your avatar, pick a privacy mode and open the map. Our step-by-step guide shows how to find friends nearby.

See who is on iS Gather in your city

Questions

What is a map-based social app?
A social app whose main screen is a live map. It shows the people and posts near you, so you can find and talk to people in your area instead of scrolling a ranked feed. iS Gather is one example.
What can you do on iS Gather?
See people nearby as 3D avatars on a live map, send one-tap ice breakers, message, post and watch short videos with hashtags, and go live to your followers.
Who can see me on the map?
You decide. Public shows you to everyone, Friends Only shows you only to your connections, and Ghost Mode hides your location from everyone.
Is iS Gather the same as Gather.town?
No. iS Gather is a mobile social map app for meeting people nearby. Gather.town is a separate virtual office product.