Secret update basically copies Yik Yak, brings communities and cute new mascot

Secret was one of the first to the anonymous social network category of apps, but Yik Yak recently took the spotlight and started really catching on with the college crowd. It appears that Secret felt a bit threatened by its university-based competitor. Today, the app has been updated with a completely new appearance, a new, cuter version of its fox mascot, and a re-imagined way of communicating with those around you anonymously.

The new version is a drastic departure from its previous black-and-white design, now embracing friendly colors and a feed of posts that might look a bit familiar if you use Yik Yak. The app no longer focuses on photos with text laid on top, but rather focuses on short text posts to which you can now attach a photo. The way posts are organized is different too, letting you see posts from your “city, company, or school” separately from the old friends view.

Another interesting addition to this version of the app is the ability to chat privately with the people around you, letting you meet others directly on the social network itself (in contrast to Yik Yak, where most users just spam their Kik usernames). The update also comes with settings that let you “choose who will see your post” somewhat, as you can now choose whether or not to label yourself as a friend.

You can get the latest version of the app on the Play Store for free. Here’s the official change log:

• An entirely new look for Secret.

• Discover new spaces and communities around you.

• Chat privately with your friends, coworkers and people around you. Meet new people.

• Add photos to posts (tap and hold to view).