Last January, Bucknell experienced a frenzy. Flyers were plastered everywhere, texts buzzed with excitement and Instagram feeds were flooded with posts about a new app. There were even cash incentives for promoting it, and some students were being paid to endorse it. But this wasn’t just any app: it was Fizz.
Fizz, an anonymous app designed for college students, emerged from the minds of two Stanford dropouts. It allows students to share confessions, polls, questions and memes anonymously. Like Reddit, users can engage by upvoting or downvoting posts or anonymously commenting.
While it shares similarities with the widely known app YikYak, Fizz introduces a unique twist. As Sammie Mariniello ’25 observes, “Fizz may resemble YikYak in some ways, but what truly sets it apart is it’s just for Bucknell students.”
Another element distinguishing Fizz from YikYak is its robust moderation, ensuring the swift removal of posts that violate community guidelines.
Yosief Tewelde ’26, who served as a Fizz ambassador last semester, shares, “Fizz has added a unique, enjoyable dimension to campus life. As an ambassador, I had the opportunity to develop valuable skills and connect with fellow students, making it a rewarding experience.”
Personally, I can’t believe Fizz’s enduring popularity has continued for this long. With a fresh batch of first-year students downloading and using the app, its popularity has only continued to soar. Considering our student population is about 3,700, it’s incredible to see some posts garner over 1,000 upvotes and interactions. On Fizz, you’ll find a diverse range of posts. People discuss everything from the squirrels on campus to upcoming exams, Greek life and even topics like sex and dating culture.
I honestly only really find the app entertaining when I’m exceptionally bored. I occasionally make a post and chuckle when it gets over 100 upvotes. However, I don’t quite grasp why some individuals check it daily. I’ve often wondered what draws them in, day after day, to read the latest confessions and jokes. Is it the allure of reading and seeing something unexpected or the hope of encountering a post that resonates with and relates to their daily experiences?
Overall, Snapchat and Instagram remain my go-to digital companions. They offer a more curated and personalized experience, allowing me to share moments with my close friends through pictures and videos. These platforms provide a familiar space for connection and communication where I can see the faces and experiences of people I know rather than anonymous posts I don’t often relate to. While Fizz has its charms, it is the simplicity and immediate connection of Snapchat and Instagram that keep me coming back to them regularly. And if I’m going to scroll mindlessly out of boredom, I’d rather watch TikToks; it’s a dose of quick, lighthearted entertainment that never fails to put a smile on my face.
In a nutshell, Fizz has become a significant part of Bucknell’s digital landscape, offering an outlet for anonymous expression and sparking funny, engaging discussions within our community. And judging by the increased popularity and buzz, it looks like Fizz is here to stay.
