Just 10 Seconds

By: Marsal Gavalda, Director of Engineering, Machine Intelligence

There’s nothing like a Sunday night during a three-day weekend to draw people in for the first Democratic debate of the year… j/k. Despite the suspiciously odd timing of the debate (again), Yik Yak was as active as ever: over 7.5% of all yaks during the debate were about the Democratic showdown. So how did the candidates stack up according to Yakkers?

Bernie Sanders earned the most mentions (42.7%), and Hillary Clinton took second with 35.1%. Despite not getting nearly as much airtime as Hillary or Bernie, Martin O’Malley still garnered 22.2% of yaks, with more than a quarter of these talking about how little airtime he received.

State by state, Sanders received his most mentions in Pennsylvania, Texas, and Florida, while Clinton was mentioned most in Michigan, New York, and California.

In terms of sentiment, Yakkers continued to #FeelTheBern – Sanders had a 48% approval rating (compared to 27.7% disapproval). Clinton however, had a mere 7.6% approval (and 52.5% disapproval).

Looking at yaks from Iowa and New Hampshire, whose caucuses are coming up in February, Hillary’s disapproval levels matched or surpassed what she received country-wide: she had greater than 50% disapproval in both Iowa and New Hampshire along with low-single-digit approval. Bernie fared better country-wide than he did in these states, earning 42% approval in Iowa and just 15% in New Hampshire.

Yakkers discussed everything from Bernie’s hand motions to O’Malley’s “just 10 seconds” plea, but the most discussed topics were Republicans, the economy, and social issues.

It was a big night for the Dems, as pressure is mounting with Iowa and New Hampshire caucus dates looming closer. For more of our election coverage, jump onto the app on Thursday, January 28th for the Fox News Republican Debate Yak Chat – it’s the last Yak Chat before the candidates from both parties head into the Iowa caucus on Feb. 1st and we know you’ll have a lot to say! 

“WE WANT RAND"

By: Marsal Gavalda, Director of Engineering, Machine Intelligence & Nikki Hope, Creative Content Associate

Welcome to 2016; we’ve finally made it to Election Year! The first debate of 2016 – hosted by Fox Business Network – was nothing short of entertaining. Seven Republican hopefuls came with their arguments ready for Thursday night’s GOP debate, and Yakkers were engaged in the showdown: 7.6% of all yaks during that time were about the debate. That was even higher than the 5% of all yaks that centered around the #SOTU during President Obama’s speech on Tuesday night!

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Spotlight On: University of Alabama & Clemson University in the College Football National Championship

By: The Yak 

University of Alabama beat Clemson University, 45-40, behind a stunning onside kick to capture the College Football Playoff National Championship Monday night. The competition was fierce, and naturally the Alabama and Clemson Yik Yak feeds were on fire. Among the expected trash-talk, it was nice to see the top of both feeds full of sportsmanship, respect, and admiration for the all-round electric play.

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Clear-eyed. Big-hearted. #SOTU

By: Marsal Gavalda, Director of Engineering, Machine Intelligence & Olivia Boger, Communications Associate

Obama channeled Coach Taylor in his final State of the Union address last night, and Yakkers were into it. During the president’s speech, 5% of all yaks posted were about DC’s big night. On college campuses around the country, local feeds were full of Yakkers hyping campus watch parties and encouraging peers to tune in. We were seriously impressed by your civic calling.

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Spotlight On: Yik Yak lovebirds from University of North Florida

By: The Yak

It all started last January when Marla, a Yakker at the University of North Florida, took to Yik Yak looking to make friends and connect with her herd. One series of replies stuck out to Marla in particular – they came from a Yakker named Tanner, whose humor and camaraderie seemed to have the makings of a perfect friendship. After communicating virtually for several weeks, the Yakkers decided to meet for dinner. They spoke for hours, and a month later started dating. A couple months later, Marla and Tanner got engaged. “We each thought we were gaining a new friend. Little did we know we would plan to get married. This is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I found my best friend and soulmate…We are SO happy!” gushes Marla.

Last week, these Yakkers got married! “A year ago, neither of us expected that we would be getting married so soon. We didn’t even know each other then!” says Marla. Us Yaks are hopeless romantics, so of course I got all the deets from the small wedding that let them celebrate with close friends and family. Their colors were Tiffany blue (I think it looks a lot like ‘Yik Yak Teal’ don’t you?!) and coral, and they included Christmas accents in their decorations, along with soccer balls and violas – Tanner is a soccer player and Marla is a violist. 

And we can’t forget the honeymoon! Marla filled me in on a trip that’s taken them through several states across the southeast (ice skating was a highlight), traveling spontaneously and enjoying time together; “Our honeymoon has been such an adventure! Meeting each other and getting married was such a dream come true.”

We are absolutely thrilled for the lovebirds, and wish them a life full of Yakiness happiness!

Like this story? Tell us yours! There are amazing moments happening within Yik Yak herds around the world, and we love to hear your stories!