Spanish Food App Glovo Adds Social Media Features

Glovo, a Spain-based food delivery app serving a number of different countries, has launched a new version of its platform that has effectively become a social connection app. At its annual product event, “Glovo Next,” the company unveiled a suite of updates aimed at enhancing user interaction and engagement within the app.

The new features allow users to connect with friends, share recommendations, and explore restaurants in a more interactive way. One highlight is the introduction of “Picks,” a feature enabling users to curate and organize lists of their favorite restaurants and dishes for various occasions, such as office lunches or dinner parties. Additionally, a new video discovery wall showcases content created by restaurant owners, offering insights into the dishes they prepare.

Glovo’s CEO, Oscar Pierre Miquel, noted that a significant portion of users often struggle with meal choices, stating that 35% of users don’t know what to order. Part of the reason for this social media shift is to allow users to discover new food items, get personalized recommendations, and engage with other foodies within the Glovo app.

Not only does this mean that users can share the food they love, but it also provides a space for the restaurants themselves to market their products. The video wall feature alone ensures that local restaurants can show off their food directly to potential customers, directly with the app that said customers might order from.

While Glovo’s CTO Shiro Theuri has stated that “(they’re not a social media company… that should be clear.”, if the platform sees success, it could highlight a potential untapped niche for other apps to push into. So far, the new update doesn’t come with anything like direct message features – but even if it never does, another platform could step in to take its place.