On Thursday, developer Maurice Kleine launched Mockly, a web application designed to generate fake messages for platforms like Slack and Instagram. The tool provides a seamless user experience for its primary users. With it, you can create highly realistic mock-ups of text message conversations, ideally suited for everything from reporting to crafting social media-ready memes.
Mockly proves to be a strong contender in today’s counterfeit communication generator saturated market. Its templates are less spammy looking than most of the other options. We’ve received feedback on the Instagram template about how realistic it looks. That’s how it can successfully imitate the appearance and tone of real dialogue on the app. This approach to fine-tuned detail is a big lure among those interested in making comical or satirical work.
Not all templates are created equally. The Slack template has been functional, but certainly a bit desolate when compared to its Instagram twin. This gap serves to underscore the relative effectiveness of these different messaging platforms, as evidenced by these various platforms’ representation in Mockly’s catalogs.
Mockly is built with simplicity in mind. Unfortunately, the fake message generator isn’t without its shortcomings. The outcome largely mimics what discussions would look like on internet platforms, not mobile channels. Users will have a hard time achieving that level of authenticity with Mockly. This is particularly the case when they mock up messages designed to be viewed on a mobile device.
That’s mocking based on an idea that’s existed since the dawn of IM. It’s really not a totally new idea! Yet, Maurice Kleine has done a great job iteratively improving the tool to make it more user-friendly and accessible. Kleine wanted to develop a tool that simplifies the process of creating these types of phony messages. At the same time, he demanded it all be grounded in a high level of realism.
Mockly’s possible uses aren’t limited to good-natured enjoyment. Users can use its capabilities to create slick presentations or viral social media posts that involve a dab of digital subterfuge. Mockly offers a simpler, more intuitive solution than similar tools available on the market. It certainly has its drawbacks, including some bizarre and occasionally janky outcomes, but it’s completely remarkable.
Kleine invites you to explore this exciting new tool. To read more about what’s happening and other exclusive content, catch Maurice on X (formerly Twitter) at @maurice_kleine.