Alternative Social Media Platforms
We all have a love hate relationship with the most common Social Media platforms – Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, etc. You love them because you see friends and family posting their “adventures” on Instagram. You learn new things or explore interests on YouTube. You read things on X and scratch your head – either way, you are invested. But there is also the other side of the coin, where you get bombarded with ads.
Yes, we know we are a Media Agency and we shouldn’t complain about ads, but they can be annoying. Remember the popups??? As Media experts, we love the Social platforms because they do provide a space where we can target the consumers we want. But we are consumers too. These ads can sometimes be too much.
Today, let’s discuss some of the hottest alternative social media platforms that you may not have heard of yet. These platforms offer a refreshing change from the mainstream options and provide a unique user experience. While they may not have reached the same level of popularity as Facebook or Instagram, they do offer a different approach to social networking and have the potential to become the next big thing in the social media landscape. So, if you’re tired of the constant bombardment of ads and want to try something new, keep reading to discover these exciting alternative social media platforms.
The Newest Social Media Platforms for Everyone
Do you like Instagram?
If so, then you should check out Lemon8 and Locket. Both are image-based social media platforms that focus primarily on sharing and interacting with visual content, such as photos and videos. These platforms prioritize visual storytelling and allow users to express themselves through images. Users can upload, edit, and share their own photos, as well as engage with and discover content from other users. Image-based social media platforms often have features like filters, editing tools, and hashtags to enhance the visual experience and facilitate content discovery.
Lemon8
Lemon8 is like a mixture of Instagram and Pinterest. It’s photo-heavy but allows users to share recipes, outfits, travel guides, and more. It offers a unique user experience centered around sharing and discovering beautiful pictures. It was also created by the makers of TikTok, which relies heavily on content creation where Lemon8 is more about influencers. Definitely one to watch.
Locket
Locket is a widget that shows live photos from your best friends, right to your Home Screen. Snapping a photo on the Locket Widget will share it with your entire friends list. Open the app, tap the capture button, and tap the big ‘send’ icon. Just like that, the photo is sent to everyone on your friends list. Very popular with a younger generation.
Remember the days of AIM? Ok… how about Whatsapp?
Instant messaging refers to the real-time exchange of text messages between two or more individuals over the internet. It allows users to have immediate and direct communication with each other, similar to a conversation. Instant messaging platforms typically offer features such as chat rooms, group chats, file sharing, and the ability to send multimedia messages like photos and videos. It is a popular method of communication for both personal and professional use, providing a convenient and efficient way to stay connected with others. Telegram and Discord are the newest apps to enter the social “talking” scene.
Telegram
Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging app. It allows users to send messages, make voice and video calls, share photos, videos, documents, and other files. Telegram also supports group chats, channels, and bots, providing a wide range of features for communication and content sharing. One of the key features of Telegram is its focus on privacy and security, offering end-to-end encryption for messages and optional self-destructing messages. It is available on various platforms, including mobile devices and desktop computers, and has gained popularity for its user-friendly interface and extensive customization options.
Like most of these apps, Telegram offers both free and paid upgrades. Enter the word, freemium. Freemium is a type of business model that offers basic features of a product or service to users at no cost and charges a premium for supplemental or advanced features.
Discord
While Telegram is more widely used, Discord gained its popularity among gamers. Discord allows users to create and join communities called “servers” where they can chat with others through voice calls, video calls, and text messages. It provides a space for gamers to connect, communicate, and coordinate while playing games. However, it is not limited to gaming and can be used for various interests and communities. Discord also offers features such as screen sharing, file sharing, and integration with other platforms and services.
The most competitive space right now, everyone wants a piece of X (aka Twitter)
X is a social media platform that allows users to post and interact with short messages, known as tweets. It is known for its real-time nature, where users can share updates, news, opinions, and engage in conversations with others through hashtags and mentions. X is popular among individuals, businesses, and organizations for its ability to provide a platform for instant communication and information sharing. Since Elon Musk took over in 2022, the social platform has gone through some major changes – firing staff, paying for verification, changing to an open source network and most recently changing its name and logo – X. This has lead to many competitors thinking it’s time for a new bird.
BlueSky
BlueSky works much like Twitter but aims to give you more control over your data. Since it was developed by the same CEO as Twitter, Jack Dorsey, it’s aim was to provide an alternative to Twitter. One thing to know about joining Bluesky is it requires a hard-to-get invite code. And for that, you’ll either need to hop onto the waitlist or ask an existing Bluesky user to send you a spare invitation. Once you have your invite code, you can join Bluesky via mobile app or website.
Mastodon
Mastodon is a social media platform that is often described as a decentralized alternative to Twitter. It operates on a federated model, meaning that instead of one central server, there are multiple independent servers called “instances” that users can join. Each instance has its own rules and moderation policies, allowing users to find a community that aligns with their interests and values. Mastodon allows users to post short messages called “toots,” follow other users, and engage in conversations through replies and mentions. It emphasizes privacy and user control, giving users the ability to customize their experience and choose who sees their posts.
Threads
The most anticipated launch from Facebook, Threads is a social media platform that is designed specifically for private messaging and sharing with close friends. Threads allows users to create a close friends list and share photos, videos, messages, and status updates exclusively with those on the list. It also has features such as automatic status updates based on a user’s location or activity, as well as a “status” feature that allows users to share what they are currently doing. Threads aims to provide a more intimate and private social media experience for users.
Threads had a huge launch at the beginning of July 2023, fuelled by the near-instant onboarding of Instagram users to the new text-based social app. However, the boom in active users of Threads didn’t last.
It’s super hard to go against Elon Musk.
Lastly, LinkedIn is not the only professional social platform out there.
A professional network refers to a social media platform that is specifically designed for professionals to connect, network, and share industry-related information and resources. These platforms are typically used by individuals who want to build their professional brand, connect with colleagues and industry experts, and stay updated on the latest trends and developments in their field. Social media professional networks often have features such as job boards, industry-specific groups or communities, and tools for showcasing professional achievements and skills. They provide a space for professionals to collaborate, learn from each other, and advance their careers.
So if you are looking for something other than LinkedIn or just need more social platforms to scroll through, here are a few Professional alternatives.
Patreon
Patreon focuses on membership and professional content. It allows creators, such as artists, musicians, writers, and podcasters, to connect with their audience and receive financial support from their fans. Users can become patrons of creators by subscribing to their content and making regular payments, often on a monthly basis. In return, patrons gain access to exclusive content, behind-the-scenes updates, and other rewards offered by the creators. Patreon provides a platform for creators to monetize their work and build a community of dedicated supporters.
Polywork
Polywork is very similar to LinkedIn. LinkedIn builds your professional network based on your professional resume. While Polywork showcases more of a historical portfolio or journal. It allows users to create a more professional profile that highlights not only their skills and experiences but also visualizes their projects. Polywork plots your jobs, learnings, events and achievements in a timeline and then is displayed in a more holistic and multidimensional way. It encourages users to share not only their professional achievements but also their personal interests and side projects, allowing for a more well-rounded representation of their professional identity.
These New Social Media Platforms May Not Be for Everyone
The best social media platform ultimately depends on individual preferences and needs. Some of the more popular social media platforms include Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Each platform offers different features and caters to different types of content and audiences. It’s important to consider what you are looking for in a social media platform, such as connecting with friends and family, sharing photos and videos, networking professionally, or exploring new interests.
One thing to consider, most of these newer alternative Social Media platforms currently aren’t accepting Paid Media. So if you are looking for someplace where you will not be bombarded with ads, these may suit you just fine.
Always Looking at the Future
While these Social Platforms may not accept advertising just yet, we are certain they are looking for ways to monetize their eyeballs and audiences. At Cordelia Labs, we’re always looking at ways to bring new ways to target any audience. We work alongside our friends at Big Sea, a full service marketing and content team, to create all types of advertisements and content that suits your business and your target audience. Besides using our resources, we use our on the ground knowledge to weed out the best places to reach your goals. Contact us today and let’s start looking toward the future.