While it might not always seem like it, social media is continuously in flux, and what people engaged with yesterday may completely differ from what social media users are interested in today. While giants like Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter dominate, several rising stars are capturing users’ attention with innovative ideas. Here’s a list of five promising social media platforms that might just be the next big thing.
1. BeReal: A Glimpse into Authenticity
BeReal has slowly amassed popularity over the last 3 years. This application encourages users to focus on authenticity by getting them to post real-time photos with no filters or edits.
Every day, users receive a notification to post a snapshot within a two-minute window, using both front and back cameras to capture what they’re truly doing. By limiting users to a single post per day, BeReal promotes a more realistic, no-filter social experience that isn’t typically done with highlight reels seen on other platforms.
As is expected, is is more popular among younger audiences who crave genuine connections without the pressure of perfectly curated images like Instagram.
2. Lemon8: A Hybrid Between Instagram and Pinterest
This is a new platform from ByteDance, the creators of TikTok, which combines elements of Instagram’s photo-sharing with Pinterest’s inspiration-focused feed.
This application works by enabling users to share photos, videos, and text posts while exploring curated content based on specific interests, from fashion and food to fitness and travel. The platform offers a unique mix of aesthetics-driven posting and content discovery, making it ideal for users who love visually appealing, themed content.
In addition to its already interesting concept, Lemon8 has integrated shopping features, allowing users to purchase items directly through the app, appealing to younger users who love shopping via social media apps, as is seen with TikTok shop.
3. Clubhouse: Reviving Social Audio
A glorified way to make calls, Clubhouse is an audio-based social network where users join rooms to listen to or participate in conversations on various topics.
It was particularly popular during the pandemic, rising to fame with games like Among Us, but still to this day Clubhouse has maintained a loyal user base, especially for discussions on business, technology, mental health, and entertainment. It provides a unique experience where users can join conversations or simply listen in, creating a community atmosphere around shared interests.
Clubhouse may not be particularly appealing to the visual-obsessed generation of today, as it emphasizes voice, but this does not detract from the fact that Clubhouse creates a more personal, conversational way for people to connect. It’s great for those interested in networking or learning through live, interactive dialogue.
4. Gas: Boosting Teen Positivity
One of the major downsides of social media is the inability to gate-keep vile information as thoroughly as we would like. This opens a lot of young, impressionable teens to bullying or negative discourse. Gas was introduced to fix this issue. This is a Positivity-based social media platform targeting teenagers, where users can anonymously compliment and support each other.
Gas limits its user base to high school students and encourages Positivity by allowing users to answer uplifting poll questions about each other. Instead of focusing on self-promotion, Gas creates a support network, helping teens boost their self-esteem without the stress of “likes” and “follows.”
By eliminating negative comments and centering its content on positive interactions, Gas is creating a healthier social media experience for teens who are often overwhelmed by the pressures of other platforms.
5. Polywork: LinkedIn Meets Social Networking
Leaving the more social and fun side of social media, we have Polywork. Polywork is a professional networking platform that combines elements of LinkedIn with a social feed approach, emphasizing personal achievements and collaborations over traditional resumes.
Unlike LinkedIn’s wonderful but formal structure, Polywork allows users to highlight different aspects of their career journey, such as side projects, volunteer work, and creative collaborations. It also allows users to connect through “badges,” which represent various skills and interests, making networking more tailored and meaningful.
Polywork’s unique approach caters to modern professionals looking to showcase their full range of skills, making it a popular choice among freelancers, creatives, and tech-savvy users.
All this taken into consideration, as social media continues to expand, these platforms are bringing new perspectives and options to the digital landscape.
Whether you’re looking for authenticity, creativity, or professional connections, these up-and-coming platforms are worth a look. From BeReal’s candid moments to Polywork’s focus on collaboration, these apps cater to diverse user needs that might just redefine the way we interact online. Keep an eye on these rising stars—they may soon become household names in the world of social media.
