How to Use the Parler Mobile App

For many conservatives, mainstream social media platforms have become too liberal. Since Twitter put warning labels on one-third of President Trump's tweets, people have been looking for a different platform where their views won't be met with such criticism. Many people have found a new social media hub in the Parler app.  

The platform has created a large community of conservatives who have generally rejected mainstream media and support Donald Trump's presidency. 

Calling itself the "free speech social network," Parler is a social media platform that many Trump supporters use to share their ideas and beliefs without pushback or debate from liberals or more left-leaning people. 

Parler continues to set itself apart from more mainstream social media by talking about the importance of privacy online. The company's website features a "Values" page where it talks about encrypting user data, keeping profiles safe with different settings and tools, and making sure users are informed about what changes the platform is making. 

Although other social media platforms do at least some of these things, more popular competitors have been hacked, which led to concerns about their user base's private information. For example, Twitter was hacked this year. The hackers took control of some big-name accounts like Barack Obama, Kanye West, and Bill Gates.  

Parler's app is available for both Android and iOS devices. A quick search in a phone or tablet's app store will bring it up. Once the Parler app is downloaded, you can create a new account with an email address, phone number, and password. Acceptable passwords will have at least eight characters, at least one special character, and at least one number. 

Also, users must agree to the app's privacy policy, terms of service, and community guidelines. Next, a Captcha is required before continuing on. Finally, an eight-digit code is sent in a text to the user's phone number. Enter that code within one minute to gain access to Parler.

The Parler app is free to download. To avoid posting ads on the platform, CEO John Matze told CNN's Squawk Box in July 2020 that it will use influencers to bring in money. "The idea of how we’re going to do it isn’t going to be a centralized model for ads, it will be specific around influencers," he said. "So advertisers will target influencers and those people with a large reach, rather than us as a platform."

In November 2020, The Wall Street Journal reported that Parler is receiving funding from the Mercer family. Billionaire hedge-fund investor Robert Mercer and his daughter Rebekah are well-known conservatives who have donated to other conservative causes like Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. 

Since Parler has become more popular, some celebrities and public figures have moved to the app and have encouraged others to make their own accounts. Game of Thrones actor Gary A. Wales and comedian Larry the Cable Guy are on the app, according to Newsweek. Eric Trump and far-right activist Candace Owens are also on the app, according to Independent.