18 New Social Media Apps & Platforms in 2023

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 completely different. In 2016, a bit of app known as TikTok reworked the social media panorama via its quick movies and informal, spontaneous aesthetic; it’s now the most-downloaded app in the world.

After all, 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. In the event you’re not already maintaining a tally of the platforms beneath, it’s value checking them out to see how social media is altering in 2023.

BeReal

If you’re tired of the “Instagram Reality” of filters, photoshop, and faked photo ops that dominate social media, then BeReal could possibly be for you.

However what is BeReal precisely? Created in France in 2019, the mission of this app is to create “a brand new and distinctive solution to uncover who your pals actually are”. Right here’s the premise:

Day by day at a random time BeReal sends you a notification that it’s time to be actual. You then have 2 minutes to snap a photograph of no matter it’s you occur to be doing. (It’s truly two images without delay, utilizing your cellphone’s back and front cameras.)

No filters. No modifying. And you’ll solely do a re-shot inside that 2-minute window.

Instagram has taken notice, launching its personal two-camera filter to copy the BeReal look inside its personal app.

In 2022, BeReal’s utilization was up 312%, and downloads have been up 1,000% from the earlier 12 months. (It’s been downloaded simply shy of 30 million times since its launch.) In different phrases: this app is scorching, scorching, scorching.

Clubhouse

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

Clubhouse made an enormous splash when it was launched in March 2020 for iOS. An Android model adopted in Could 2021. In between these two dates, the app exploded in recognition, 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. (Or possibly that exclusivity was why 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, alas, it appears to be like like Clubhouse’s shine has light, peaking in recognition in February 2021, when large names like Oprah Winfrey have been internet hosting chats, and declined from there. Since then, energetic customers have declined greater than 60%.

Clubhouse is staying sharp by offering new features and partnering with TED, and nonetheless hosts greater than 3.5 million active users, primarily within the STEM house. You even have to provide credit score the place credit score is due: Clubhouse did encourage greater gamers to their very own audio-only apps (LinkedIn, Spotify, and Twitter, for a time), so whether or not it carries on previous 2023 or not, its legacy will likely be felt for years to come back.

Instagram Reels

Like Twitter Areas, Instagram Reels is just not a brand new social media platform a lot as a brand new characteristic. But it surely’s nonetheless value being attentive to.

Reels launched in 2020 as Instagram’s reply to TikTok. Whereas short-form video was already part of Instagram posts and Tales, Reels added some new capabilities.

Instagram Reels are quick movies (as much as 90 seconds) that can be edited right in the app. Not like Tales, they don’t disappear after 24 hours. They reside in your feed beneath a devoted tab.

Reels supply extra refined modifying choices than Tales: you possibly can edit clips collectively, alter the format, or add AR results. The outcomes are enjoyable and artistic, which is why Reels are so widespread 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 total we noticed a small enchancment. However Reels is usually a highly effective solution 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 for Stories, it’s undoubtedly value exploring Reels to increase the attain and lifespan of your content material!

Spotify Reside

In June 2021, Spotify launched their new app for reside audio conversations (sound acquainted?) known as Spotify Greenroom–in April 2022, the branding was changed to Spotify Live.

The twist is that Spotify focuses on musical artists and athletes, leveraging its 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 along with your Spotify credentials. You’ll be able to tune in to Spotify Reside chats through your favourite artist or creator’s web page (search for the “Live on Spotify” characteristic), and if you wish to be a part of within the dialog, you need to use the devoted Spotify Reside app to chime in on a dialogue or begin your individual Reside room.

A month after launch, that they had 141,000 downloads on iOS and 100,000 on Android, although Spotify has been cagey with more moderen numbers. Whereas this new social media app hasn’t taken off in an enormous method (but?), Spotify has the benefit of constructing on a platform that’s already audio-focused.

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 group. Since then, it’s grown into a serious participant amongst chat-focused social media platforms. In March 2022, Discord secured $995 million USD in funding, and in July 2022, it welcomed 522 million visitors. With cash and recognition on its facet, it’ll be attention-grabbing to see the place the chat hub goes from right here.

Discord remains to be widespread amongst avid gamers, 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 matters, from dating shows to sports activities. The NFT and crypto group are likely to congregate on Discord servers, too.

Whereas Discord doesn’t promote adverts, 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 presents an opportunity to construct deep relationships and acquire precious buyer insights.

Twitch

Based in 2011, Twitch is among the oldest platforms on this record. And though it has 26.5 million active users daily, except you’re within the recreation house, you’re most likely not aware of it.

Right here’s the deal: Twitch is a video streaming platform the place creators stream reside content material to their audiences. As of October 2022, there have been 7.1 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 6.1 billion hours of streaming content.

As Twitch continues to increase its attain past the gaming group, manufacturers have extra alternatives to achieve audiences via the app. Corporations can create their very own branded channels, companion with Twitch influencers, or purchase adverts on the platform.

Wish to study 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 trade 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 presents two fashions: a month-to-month subscription or a plan that lets you pay per put up.

Substack

The only solution to describe Substack is as an e-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.

There’s additionally Substack for Podcasts, a comparatively new instrument that permits audio creators to publish and develop their podcasts. In early 2022, Substack additionally began beta-testing a video participant for creators, that means the potential for content material creation is just rising.

Creators can supply 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 remains to be fairly small: as of November 2022, it had greater than 1.5 million subscribers. Nonetheless, that’s a dramatic enhance over the 250,000 subscribers it had in September 2020. And curiosity in Substack is continuous to develop:

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

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

Telegram

Messaging app Telegram was based in 2013 as a privacy-focused different to greater platforms like Fb and Instagram. Customers can trade information, images, movies, and extra via chats via group chats that may embrace as much as 200,000 folks. There are additionally public Telegram channels, which may appeal to thousands and thousands of followers.

Telegram has grown quickly lately: it now boasts 550 million monthly active users, and in December 2022, reached 1 million premium subscribers. Lately, it has attracted much more consideration for its role in the Russia-Ukraine War.

Telegram added advertising to the platform in October 2021. Adverts are restricted to public channels, and Telegram has promised to not give advertisers entry to non-public information or observe whether or not customers click on on adverts. As an alternative of focusing on particular consumer demographics or pursuits, advertisers can select the matters, channels, and languages for his or her adverts. Manufacturers also can attain audiences organically by beginning public channels or creating chatbots to help clients.

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. It raised one other $28 million in September 2022, so it doesn’t appear to be it’s going wherever.

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 focus on a number of roles, facet gigs, ardour initiatives, and specialties.

Along with profiles, Polywork goals to attach people for collaboration with beta options like a digital house for group work known as Golf equipment.

It’s thrilling to see somebody lastly shaking up the skilled networking house with a extra Gen Z-friendly platform. It’ll take so much to unseat LinkedIn, which has 875 million members. However Polywork is value maintaining a tally 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 40 million users (up from 25 million in December 2021). Although it was based in France (bonjour!), 60% of its customers are primarily based in Canada and the US. And throughout 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 pals, which permits them to begin particular person chats.

Amongst new social media apps, Yubo is especially teen-friendly, with a devoted group for customers 13- to 17-years-old. And Yubo has invested important sources in making the platform a secure house for customers.

Advanced age-verification technology is meant to mitigate abuse, and there’s a Security Hub that customers can entry 24/7 to report considerations or ask questions. There’s additionally human and algorithmic monitoring of content material to swiftly deal with any breaches of the group tips. And customers who share private info in a chat, reminiscent of their cellphone quantity, will obtain a pop-up security alert to teach them about threat.

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 supply promoting or alternatives for model partnerships, it’s an instance of how consumer expectations round security and privateness are altering.

Mastodon

Downloads of Mastadon jumped 6,000% within the wake of Elon Musk’s buy of Twitter Whether or not customers keep there stays to be seen, nevertheless it’s undoubtedly a Twitter different that ought to be on entrepreneurs’ radar. As of November 2022, Mastodon had a million month-to-month customers. (For comparability, Twitter is predicting it’ll attain 335 million global users in 2023.)

Mastodon is a free, open-source platform and social networking app, launched in March 2016, the place customers can share textual content, picture, and video updates with followers. Not like Twitter, nonetheless, Mastodon is a decentralized social community: customers can begin their very own in-app networks with rules of their selecting. Individuals can then be a part of servers which might be related to their curiosity

Like Twitter, Mastodon customers can observe one another and interact in dialog with replies and likes. However in contrast to Twitter, Mastodon’s newsfeed is only chronological (no algorithm to appease right here) and at present has no promoting choices. This might present a problem to entrepreneurs on the lookout for paid-placement alternatives, however in the event you’re seeking to attain a distinct segment viewers with some natural engagement ways, the best server could possibly be ready there for you. Plus, Mastodon may additionally be a superb place to do some social listening.

Study extra concerning the up-and-coming Twitter alternative, Mastadon, here.

Locket

Launched in early 2022, the Locket widget is designed to show images out of your BFFs proper in your cellphone’s dwelling display (whether or not you’ve bought an iPhone or an Android). Your friends add footage utilizing the Locket app, they usually’ll seem in your finish all through the day.

Developer Matt Moss created the widget to share images along with his girlfriend, however the idea intrigued so lots of his pals that he made the instrument right into a public app.

@locketcamera

Hyperlink in bio #locket #widget #2021 #2022

♬ original sound – Locket

Inside a couple of weeks of its launch, Locket skyrocketed to the highest of the U.S. App Retailer charts, with greater than two million users signing up in simply two weeks. Although it was developed as a little bit of a micro-social community meant for partaking along with your 5 or 10 closest pals, it lately raised $12.5 million in funding… so clearly, somebody on the market within the enterprise world thinks there’s potential right here for branding.

For entrepreneurs, the massive lesson right here is that there’s a rising curiosity in additional private digital experiences, and constructing high quality connections, not simply racking up large likes.

Tribel

Tribel payments itself as a “bigotry-free social community the place kindness and intelligence flourish” and is owned by the activists Rafael and Omar Rivero, who run the information web site Occupy Democrats.

Tribel claimed to have 400,000 customers as of October 2022. The format and performance look fairly much like Twitter, however as you may think, Tribel’s small however energetic viewers leans left. You’ll discover plenty of political memes right here. Customise your profile and feed, or be a part of a public or non-public group.

There doesn’t at present look like a solution to promote on Tribel, but when a vocal, left-leaning viewers is your jam, becoming a member of this community to begin some dialogue could possibly be worthwhile.

Learn more about identifying your target audience here.

Hive Social

Hive Social was first developed by a mysterious founder named “Raluca” again in 2019; In November 2022, the community hit 1.5 million customers.

The mobile-only social media app is much like Twitter. Comply with different customers, like, and repost content material. One key method that Hive Social is distinct from Twitter, although, is that its feed is chronological; Raluca, so says the About Us lore, was impressed to create Hive as a result of she was uninterested in her posts not being seen by pals.

One other differentiator: there are not any character limits for posts on Hive Social. There’s additionally no solution to confirm customers at this level or to spice up posts.

However what there is is a variety of how to customise your profile, too — join your account to your Spotify to play a tune when folks go to your profile, and add your astrological signal and pronouns in the event you’d like.

Gasoline

Gas is at present solely accessible in 12 states however is dominating excessive colleges wherever it goes. Between August 2022 and November 2022, it was downloaded 5.1 million times. The social media app permits customers to put up ballot questions on their pals and gather nameless solutions. (Assume “Who ought to DJ each occasion?”)

The questions all skew optimistic, which is sensible, on condition that the title “Gasoline” refers back to the objective of “gassing up” pals with compliments. Customers earn cash for collaborating in polls, which they’ll then commerce in to disclose who answered questions on them. Juicy!

In case your ultimate viewers is Gen Z (or youthful), it is a key one to control. And these sharing apps are likely to trickle as much as older demographics — take into consideration how youngsters have been the primary adopters of Snap and TikTok earlier than Millennials bought within the combine.

Dig into our latest Digital Trends report for youth tendencies and up-and-coming social platforms to ensure you’re all the time within the loop.

CoHost

CoHost takes its design cues from Net 1.0 — you get the retro feeling of being again on a Geocities web page — however the running a blog web site presents some intriguing trendy options. There are not any character limits, and the choice to make pages with themes for various initiatives or random whims; these pages could be collaborative if you wish to group up for one thing. The Verge describes CoHost as “the awkward offspring of Tumblr, Twitter, and a touch of Reddit.”

Customers can incorporate CSS into their posts, which makes for some interesting, clickable content with interactivity — an uncommon characteristic for a social media web site.

CoHost remains to be in invite-only mode and is experimenting with monetization through subscription-only CoHost plus accounts.

Alternatives for social media entrepreneurs listed below are at present unclear, however hold your eyes on this house. A social community for creativity looks like a refreshing change of tempo.

Counter Social

CounterSocial claims to have greater than 63 million monthly users, although these folks aren’t essentially signing in from everywhere in the globe — the app bans entry to frequent bot-and-troll hotspots like Russia, Iran, North Korea, Syria, China, and Pakistan. (A transfer some critics have known as xenophobic.)

Funded purely by app customers and based by a hacker named The Jester, CounterSocial is constructed on the precept of no assaults, no adverts, no harassment, and no disinformation. Followers reward the shortage of toxicity locally and may even apply a filter to see “lighter” content material in the event that they crave extra canine pics and fewer political discourse. Consideration for cybersecurity is inbuilt all through: uploaded photographs and movies are stripped of metadata.

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