15 New Social Media Apps & Platforms You May Not Know About

Social media is all the time evolving to fulfill the wants and pursuits of its customers. New social media platforms emerge to serve particular audiences or to supply one thing totally different. In 2016, a brand new app known as TikTok reworked the social media panorama by means of its brief movies and informal, spontaneous aesthetic; it’s now the most-downloaded app in the world.

Not all new social media apps will blow up like TikTok. However they do reveal how social trends and consumer expectations are evolving over time. For those who’re not already keeping track of the platforms under, it’s value checking them out to see how social media is altering in 2022.

New social media apps and platforms entrepreneurs ought to watch in 2022

TikTok

In human years, TikTok is just a kindergartener. However since being based in 2016, it has grown to greater than one billion month-to-month lively customers.

Eight new users join TikTok every single second!

Curiosity in TikTok continues to surge, with no indicators of slowing down:

Regardless of these staggering statistics, manufacturers have been slower to embrace the platform. In 2021, solely 9% of entrepreneurs had been utilizing TikTok to advertise their enterprise.

Supply: Statista

As a result of TikTok has grown so rapidly, many individuals nonetheless affiliate it with Gen Z dance challenges. However in 2022, you could find each sort of content material on TikTok — in addition to highly-engaged customers who need to uncover new manufacturers and merchandise by means of the platform.

Able to get began? We’ve acquired everything you need to know about TikTok in a single helpful information.

Clubhouse

Clubhouse is an audio app, that includes chat rooms the place customers can drop in to take heed to reside conversations.

One of many newer social media apps on this listing, Clubhouse was launched in March 2020 for iOS. An Android model adopted in Could 2021. In between these two dates, the app exploded in reputation, buying two million active weekly users by December 2021.

That is particularly spectacular contemplating the app was technically nonetheless in beta-mode, and restricted to invitation-only. Curiosity was so excessive within the early months that invite codes were reportedly selling for $400. In July 2021, when Clubhouse opened up to everyone, there was a ten million individual waitlist.

However since then, enthusiasm has waned. Clubhouse peaked in February 2021, when large names like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg had been internet hosting chats, and declined from there.

Clubhouse is staying sharp by offering new features and partnering with TED. However it faces stiff competitors from greater gamers, who’ve launched their very own audio-only apps.

Regardless that its second within the solar is perhaps over already, Clubhouse had an plain influence on the social media panorama.

Twitter Areas

Sizzling on the heels of Clubhouse, Twitter Spaces launched in November 2020. Customers with no less than 600 followers might host reside audio chats, which had been open to anybody on Twitter. In October 2021, Spaces opened up to all users, no matter viewers dimension.

It’s onerous to know precisely how many individuals are utilizing Twitter Areas. Twitter has 436 million month-to-month lively customers, however there isn’t any knowledge accessible on what number of of them are additionally utilizing Areas.

Twitter Areas gives a number of distinctive options. Ticketed Spaces, rolled out in August 2021, permit hosts to set entry charges and earn cash from their content material. It’s additionally testing Spaces Recordings, which might permit customers to document and share their chats.

The emergence of Clubhouse and Twitter Areas proves that social audio is a top trend in 2022.

Instagram Reels

Like Twitter Areas, Instagram Reels shouldn’t be a brand new social media platform a lot as a brand new function. However it’s nonetheless value listening to.

Reels launched in 2020 as Instagram’s reply to TikTok. Whereas video was already part of Instagram posts and Tales, Reels added some new capabilities. Instagram Reels are brief movies (15, 30 or 60 seconds) that may be edited proper within the app. Not like Tales, they don’t disappear after 24 hours. They reside in your feed, beneath a devoted tab:

Reels provide extra refined enhancing choices than Tales: you possibly can edit clips collectively, modify the format, or add AR results. The outcomes are enjoyable and artistic, which is why Reels are so standard on the Explore page. And curiosity in Reels is certainly rising over time:

Ought to your model be making Reels? We ran an experiment to see if Reels would boost our engagement, and general we noticed a small enchancment. However Reels is usually a highly effective option to join with audiences, and Instagram has configured the app to showcase high quality Reels content material.

And in the event you’re already creating video content material for Tales, it’s undoubtedly value exploring Reels to increase the attain and lifespan of your content material!

Spotify Greenroom / Spotify Reside

The Clubhouse Impact strikes once more! In June 2021, Spotify launched their new app for reside audio conversations. Sound acquainted? The twist is that Spotify focuses on musical artists and athletes, leveraging their current consumer base of podcast and music followers. Whereas a Spotify account isn’t required for Greenroom, you possibly can log in to the app together with your Spotify credentials.

Spotify Greenroom additionally permits the host to document the reside chat, turning conversations into podcasts that combine into Spotify’s audio choices. They’ve additionally created a Greenroom Creator Fund to encourage uptake of the app.

A month after launch, that they had 141,000 downloads on iOS and 100,000 on Android. Whereas this new social media app hasn’t taken off in an enormous means, Spotify has the benefit of constructing on a platform that’s already audio-focused.

In March 2022, Spotify insiders confirmed to Bloomberg that Greenroom was being rebranded as Spotify Live, and integrating it with their app to make the content material extra accessible to customers. This transformation is anticipated to occur within the second quarter of 2022, and confirms that Spotify is banking on the expansion of reside audio.

Discord

Simply as TikTok was as soon as merely “the dance problem app”, Discord was launched in 2015 as a distinct segment app for the gaming neighborhood. Since then, it’s grown into a significant participant amongst chat-focused social media platforms, with 150 million month-to-month lively customers as of September 2021.

Discord continues to be standard amongst players, who can stream video games on the app. However different communities use the video, audio, and textual content options to talk about every kind of subjects, from dating shows to sports activities.

Whereas Discord doesn’t promote advertisements, manufacturers can nonetheless have a presence on the app by creating their very own channels or servers (collections of associated channels on a subject). The emphasis on real connection and dialog gives an opportunity to construct deep relationships and acquire invaluable buyer insights.

Twitch

Based in 2011, Twitch is among the oldest platforms on this listing. And though it has 15 million lively customers, except you’re within the sport house, you’re most likely not accustomed to it.

Right here’s the deal: Twitch is a video streaming platform, the place creators stream reside content material to their audiences. As of December 2021, there have been 7.5 million active streamers. Whereas video games nonetheless dominate the platform, streamers create every kind of content material: cooking exhibits, make-up tutorials, and musical performances. In a single quarter, Twitch customers watched 5.44 billion hours of streaming content.

As Twitch continues to broaden its attain past the gaming neighborhood, manufacturers have extra alternatives to achieve audiences by means of the app. Firms can create their very own branded channels, accomplice with Twitch influencers, or purchase advertisements on the platform.

Need to be taught extra about Twitch? We’ve created a guide to Twitch marketing for you.

Patreon

Based in 2013, Patreon permits content material creators to earn cash from subscriptions. In change for his or her monetary help, subscribers obtain entry to unique, common content material and may work together with content material creators. Since its inception, Patreon has grown to more than 250,000 creators and over eight million paid subscribers.

For creators who’ve developed a following on different platforms like YouTube or Instagram, Patreon can present extra possession and management over income. Patreon gives two fashions: a month-to-month subscription or a plan that means that you can pay per publish.

It’s free to start out an account, and Patreon takes a minimize as soon as creators begin incomes income. For creators who’re annoyed with the income fashions of bigger social media platforms, Patreon is a chance to create a extra direct relationship with followers. As platforms like TikTok and Instagram have drawn criticism from creators for complicated and secretive fee applications, platforms like Patreon provide a extra clear mannequin that advantages creators.

Substack

The only option to describe Substack is as an electronic mail publication platform. Based in 2017, Substack is a publishing platform that leverages the ability of particular person creators over media retailers. Every creator has their very own publication, which permits them to attach immediately with audiences with out the oversight of a writer.

Creators can provide paid tiers (beginning at $5 USD/month) in addition to free content material. Like different social media platforms, Substack depends on influencers to construct its viewers, and has provided six-figure advances to entice well-known writers to publish on the platform.

Comparatively talking, Substack continues to be fairly small: as of November 2021, it had a million paid subscribers. Nevertheless, that’s a dramatic enhance over the 250,000 subscribers it had in September 2020. The highest 10 publications generate $20 million in earnings annually. And curiosity in Substack is constant to develop:

Substack represents a departure from many different social media platforms, which reward novelty and rapid gratification. Creators on Substack sometimes produce long-form, in-depth written content material, which requires deep engagement with topics and subjects. Substack prides itself on deviating from the “consideration financial system,” which depends on clickbait and sensationalism. Every Substack features as a neighborhood for its viewers, who can publish feedback and work together with posts.

Substack represents a shift away from conventional publishing, as customers flip away from bigger retailers in favor of curating a customized collection of writers and creators. Its rising reputation means that, regardless of rumors of declining attention spans, customers are very keen to interact with in-depth, high quality content material.

Reddit

Based in 2005, Reddit isn’t precisely a brand new platform. However regardless of being one of many most-visited web sites on the planet with 50 million day by day lively customers, it’s nonetheless ignored by many manufacturers and entrepreneurs.

Reddit is a good platform for reaching youthful audiences: 36% of 18- to 29-year-olds within the US are customers. Two-thirds of these customers are males, based on our Digital 2022 Global Overview Report. It’s additionally nonetheless rising: Reddit added 30% more users in 2019 and doubled its valuation in 2021. It’s is also investing heavily in new features and improved user experience.

For manufacturers, this progress interprets to extra alternatives to attach with audiences. As a result of Reddit is organized by “subreddits,” that are communities centered on particular subjects or pursuits. This enables entrepreneurs to hone in on their goal audiences with a excessive diploma of precision.

Manufacturers can promote on Reddit, by means of promoted posts, banners, and homepage takeovers. However they’ll additionally construct relationships by means of natural engagement, by creating and collaborating in communities, becoming a member of discussions, and replying to feedback. One standard technique of partaking with customers is internet hosting AMAs (“Ask Me Something”) chats Reddit customers are savvy, and can rapidly downvote content material that they dislike. The democratic nature of the platform signifies that you don’t have a lot management over the dialogue: manufacturers can’t delete or cover vital feedback on their posts, for instance. However that inbuilt transparency additionally offers the chance to construct actual belief and engagement with audiences.

Telegram

Messaging app Telegram was based in 2013, as a privacy-focused various to greater platforms like Fb. Customers can change recordsdata, pictures, movies and extra by means of chats by means of group chats that may embody as much as 200,000 folks. There are additionally public Telegram channels, which might appeal to tens of millions of followers.

Telegram has grown quickly in recent times: in January 2021 it was probably the most downloaded app on the planet, and it now boasts 550 million month-to-month lively customers. Not too long ago, it has attracted much more consideration for its role in the Russia-Ukraine War.

Telegram only recently added advertising to the platform in October 2021, and continues to be working it in take a look at mode. Advertisements are restricted to public channels, and Telegram has promised to not give advertisers entry to non-public knowledge or observe whether or not customers click on on advertisements. As an alternative of concentrating on particular consumer demographics or pursuits, advertisers can select the subjects, channels and languages for his or her advert. Manufacturers also can attain audiences organically by beginning public channels or creating chatbots to help prospects.

Public

Based in 2019, Public is each an investing app and a social community for customers excited about finance, cryptocurrency, and investing. Customers can handle their portfolios by means of the app, in addition to change non-public messages and be part of discussions on public channels.

In its first 18 months, Public grew to over one million members by specializing in variety and accessibility, attempting to achieve new traders in addition to those that are underrepresented in monetary sectors. It now has over 3 million members, 40% of whom are girls and 45% BIPOC.

They’re additionally leaping on the reside audio bandwagon with Public Live, providing real-time audio discussions. Not like Clubhouse or Twitter Areas, the place anybody can host a chat, Public Reside is extra intentionally programmed. Audio system are vetted consultants in monetary subjects, and exhibits are hosted at common intervals.

It’s a very good time to give attention to the rising private finance neighborhood. Lately, curiosity in crypto has surged. One in 10 internet users now invests in no less than one cryptocurrency, and analysts anticipate that quantity will triple by 2030.

Public is an instance of a brand new social media app that isn’t attempting to be every little thing for everybody. It’s centered on a selected area of interest and subject, and is betting {that a} rising variety of customers will probably be drawn to that depth. If your organization isn’t within the finance house, Public will not be related to you. However it’s value contemplating how smaller social networks that serve area of interest audiences can play a task in your advertising technique.

Polywork

Does LinkedIn lastly have a challenger? Polywork, launched in April 2021, is a brand new social media platform centered on skilled networking, the place customers can create profiles, curate a private feed, and attain out to different customers to collaborate and work collectively.

Not like LinkedIn, the place customers have a single headline describing their present position or specialty, Polywork designed for the hustle-culture era, permitting customers to spotlight a number of roles, facet gigs, ardour tasks, and specialties.

Along with profiles, Polywork goals to attach people with skilled alternatives. For that, they’ve created their Space Station, the place customers point out what sorts of tasks or roles they’re open to being contacted about.

Polywork continues to be technically in take a look at mode, and is invitation-only. However it’s thrilling to see somebody lastly shaking up the skilled networking house, with a extra Gen Z-friendly platform. It’ll take quite a bit to unseat LinkedIn, which has 722 million members. However Polywork is value keeping track of, because it represents an thrilling evolution in skilled social networking.

Yubo

Launched in 2015, Yubo is a live-streaming app with a give attention to friendships and connection, with 650 million customers throughout 40 international locations. Although it was based in France (bonjour!), 60% of its customers are primarily based in Canada and the US. And through the early months of COVID, when everybody was caught at dwelling, Yubo tripled its daily user base.

Yubo customers can create video chats, the place the streamers can work together with viewers. Customers can add one another as buddies, which permit them to start out particular person chats.

Amongst new social media apps, Yubo is especially teen-friendly, with a devoted neighborhood for customers 13- to 17-years-old. And Yubo has invested important sources in making the platform a secure house for customers. There’s a Security Hub that customers can entry 24/7 to report considerations or ask questions. There may be additionally human and algorithmic monitoring of content material to swiftly handle any breaches of the neighborhood tips. And customers who share private info in a chat, corresponding to their telephone quantity, will obtain a pop-up security alert to teach them about danger.

This focus is refreshing, given what number of platforms have develop into unsafe areas the place users (particularly women and people of color) face harassment and threats. Whereas Yubo doesn’t provide promoting or alternatives for model partnerships, it’s an instance of how consumer expectations round security and privateness are altering.

Triller

Launched in 2015, Triller is a video-sharing app the place customers can document and edit brief movies, which might be synchronized to music utilizing synthetic intelligence. That function makes it notably standard with musicians, and Triller counts celebrities like Justin Bieber, Cardi B, and Submit Malone amongst its customers. It’s additionally expanded into sports activities, streaming skilled combating and boxing occasions as a part of Triller Fight Club.

With its emphasis on music and lip sync movies, Triller is a transparent TikTok competitor. In 2020, this new social media app exploded after India banned TikTok, and gained 29 million users overnight. Nevertheless, the app has additionally admitted to inflating their user numbers in the past, making it onerous to know precisely how standard it’s.

Nevertheless large it’s proper now, Triller intends to get greater, and develop into greater than only a TikTok competitor. They not too long ago applied new options for creators, together with one that allows users to record and broadcast from both the front and back cameras on their iPhones. And in March 2022, they introduced the acquisition of Julius, an influencer marketing platform. The acquisition indicators that Triller is severe about constructing alternatives for manufacturers to achieve audiences and run campaigns on the platform.

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