These Alternative Social Media Platforms Will Remind You How Fun the Internet Used to Be
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Since its inception, social media has become an important way to stay in touch with friends and family and express ourselves online. But as behemoths like X (formerly Twitter), Meta, and TikTok grow, so does interest in smaller, alternative social media platforms.
"Smaller platforms appeal to users because they appear intimate and allow them to make more personal connections with those they are following or connected with," says Erika Lovegreen, SVP of Marketing at ICUC and Shorty Award judge. "These places are like tight-knit communities where people can have genuine conversations and learn from each other."
She adds that being able to fly under the radar is another pro to these smaller sites. "They offer features that enable users to share private updates more easily, unlike larger, more famous platforms like X."
Finding the right site for you depends on your interests and communication style. If you're ready to take a break from the drama and monotony of your main smartphone feed, here are nine popular alternative social media platforms that may give you the connection, inspiration, and fun that you've been missing online.
Bluesky
A site that many think of as Twitter 2.0, Bluesky initially launched as an invite-only, text-based, microblogging platform. However, it recently opened access to the public, gaining 800,000 new users on its first day. Jack Dorsey (Twitter's cofounder and former CEO) is even on the board of directors.
Bluesky offers text-posting and photo-sharing, but no private messaging capabilities yet. Its main benefit (and difference to Twitter/X's current iteration) is that the platform is decentralized and uses an open-source framework, essentially making it "billionaire-proof," according to a blog post from the site. This means that users can migrate their data, posts, and followers to another platform if they choose to leave for any reason.
Discord
Discord initially launched as a way for gamers to chat, but it has since morphed into a standalone social network for users of all interests.
The platform functions similarly to Slack, since its main draw is real-time communication. Discord members can join public or private servers to send messages, share media, and connect with like-minded individuals. The site also has integrations with Xbox, Spotify, and Twitch.
Mastodon
Mastodon is a fast-growing decentralized network, meaning that it has many hosts (or servers) under one roof. With a seemingly modest 2 million users, Mastodon's text- and photo-sharing interface is similar to using an ad-free X.
As far as the site's demographics go, nearly one-third of Mastodon users are under 34, and males outnumber females two to one. According to user feedback, it is less toxic and more private than X, resulting in an online environment that has less excitement and stimulation but is better for mental health and well-being.
Reddit offers a vast network for users to connect, ask questions, and share ideas on virtually any topic. The categories within Reddit are called Subreddits, and each post made within a Subreddit can become its own message board to spark conversation.
There are millions of Subreddits on niche topics, from how to cook tofu to popular fragrances of the '90s. As a Reddit user, you can upvote responses, so that the most popular answers appear first.
Post.News
If you love staying up on the news but hate getting blocked by paywalls, this alternative social media platform is for you. Content on the Post is supported by micropayments of a few cents per article, sparing you the cost of a full subscription while still compensating the media outlet for your view.
Users give high ratings to the abundant topics, customization, and civil discourse on this platform. The downside is the Post is still new and is currently lacking a proper mobile app.
PI.FYI
If you're weirdly interested in what random writers, artists, and cool people on the internet are into, you probably already subscribe to Perfectly Imperfect. This Substack offers "a taste of someone's taste," and covers anything from favorite face creams to an endorsement of eating animal organs (yes, really!).
The team behind the newsletter recently launched its own alternative social media platform, where users can currently share recommendations and comment on other people's posts. It's a bit like old-school Facebook or Twitter. Stay tuned if you are a Curious George.
Tumblr
If you'd like to go down a rabbit hole of imagery and scroll endlessly, Tumblr might be your match. Whether it's memes, art, or fandom, you can select content channels to follow for eye-popping fun.
Launched back in 2007, Tumblr has attracted new users in the last few years, presumably because watching kittens is far more serene than debating politics.
Referring to LinkedIn as an alternative social media network and not a business platform may seem weird, but it has become especially popular with those looking for professional growth resources, news, and (of course) networking. Millennials are flocking there, as recent statistics put 60% of LinkedIn users in the 25-34 age group.
Aside from career tips, professional connections, and trending topics, users appreciate the civility and minimal advertisements on LinkedIn.
The 14th largest social media community out there, Pinterest has a loyal following of mood-board aficionados and those seeking style tips, home decor inspo, and recipe ideas. It boasts 465 million users and manages to keep up with the social zeitgeist while eschewing the noisier features of other platforms.
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