As we venture further into 2024, the social media landscape continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace.
For marketers aiming to stay ahead of the competition and engage with increasingly discerning audiences, keeping a finger on the pulse of emerging platforms is crucial.
This year has seen a surge of innovative social media platforms that offer fresh opportunities for brand visibility and consumer interaction.
In this article, we’ll explore the most promising new social media platforms that have emerged in 2024. We’ll examine their unique features, user demographics, and potential applications for marketing strategies.
Whether you’re looking to expand your social media presence or explore new trends, understanding these platforms can help inform your approach and optimize your marketing efforts.
Coming Up Next
List of New Social Media Networks
| Platform | Location | Year Founded | MAU | Useful for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Airchat | Lewes, DE | 2024 | 50,000+ | Voice-first social media experience, ideal for real-time conversations and push-to-talk messaging. |
| Made With Friends | Stockholm, Sweden | 2015 | 250K+ | Authentic social media where friends post on users’ behalf, creating a more personal social presence. |
| Partiful | Brooklyn, New York | Jan 2020 | Unknown | Streamlined platform for planning and managing social events, including parties and gatherings. |
| Quest | Bangalore, India | 2005 | Unknown | Developing employability skills and connecting with a community of learners and trainers. |
| Threads | Los Angeles, California | 2023 | 160M | Text-based social media experience, similar to Twitter (X), integrated with Instagram. |
| WeAre8 | New York, NY | 2012 | Unknown | Curated content experience with meaningful advertising, rewarding users for viewing ads. |
| Lemon8 | Enschede, Netherlands | Apr 2020 | 5M+ | Photo-sharing and lifestyle content, expanding in the US market with a focus on visual aesthetics. |
| Supernova | London, UK | Oct 7, 2012 | Undisclosed | Supporting charitable causes through social media activity, with ad revenue shared with charities. |
| BAND | Palo Alto, CA | 2013 | 50M+ | Communication tool for groups and teams, designed to streamline group interactions and collaboration. |
| eToro | Tel Aviv, Israel | 2007 | 3M+ | Social trading platform allowing users to follow and copy successful traders’ strategies. |
| Sunroom | Los Angeles, CA | 2020 | Unknown | Body-positive, sex-worker-friendly content-sharing platform for adult-leaning content. |
| Peanut | London, UK | 2016 | 3M+ | Support and connections for women related to fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause. |
| Substack | San Francisco, CA | 2017 | 20M+ | Platform for creating and distributing newsletters, with options for monetization. |
| Elpha | San Francisco, CA | Jan 2019 | 100K+ | Professional networking for women, including trans-women and non-binary individuals identifying as women. |
| Public | New York, NY | 2015 | 25M+ | Social investing platform with options to follow and copy other traders’ strategies. |
| Caffeine | California, US | April 1, 2016 | 350K+ | Live video content platform focusing on African-American community content. |
| Dispo | Los Angeles, CA | 2019 | 1M+ | Photo-sharing app simulating the experience of using a disposable camera. |
| WattPad | Toronto, Canada | Nov 7, 2006 | 94M+ | Platform for sharing stories, discovering new content, and building a following. |
| Crunchyroll | San Francisco, CA | 2008 | 120M+ | Anime streaming and social networking platform with community engagement. |
Airchat
Launched in April 2024, Airchat is a voice-first social media platform that focuses on push-to-talk and audio messaging. Unlike traditional text-based social networks, Airchat emphasizes real-time voice communication, offering a unique way for users to engage in public conversations through audio. The app provides automatic transcripts of conversations, enhancing accessibility and record-keeping for users.
The platform has quickly gained traction, with over 50,000 users already onboard. It appeals to those seeking a more immediate and personal communication experience, differentiating itself from text-centric networks by leveraging voice as the primary medium for interaction.
Made With Friends
Made With Friends, founded in 2015 and based in Stockholm, Sweden, has gained significant attention in 2024. This platform deviates from traditional social media models by allowing users’ friends to post content on their behalf. This approach aims to create a more authentic social media experience by focusing on contributions from close connections rather than self-generated content.
The app has attracted over 250,000 users who appreciate its unique method of interaction. By emphasizing posts from friends, Made With Friends seeks to foster a more genuine and engaging online presence, contrasting with platforms that prioritize individual content creation.
Partiful
Partiful, founded in January 2020, is a social media platform based in Brooklyn, New York, designed specifically for event planning. The platform allows users to create and manage event pages effortlessly, facilitating everything from party invites to RSVPs. This specialized focus aims to simplify the process of organizing social gatherings.
Despite its relatively recent inception, Partiful has seen explosive growth in search interest, indicating its increasing popularity. The platform has attracted considerable funding, totaling $27.3 million, reflecting its growing influence and the demand for efficient event management tools.
Quest
Quest, established in 2005 in Bangalore, India, addresses the evolving needs of job seekers and employers by focusing on digital learning and employability skills. Developed by Quest Alliance, the app provides users with skills training and support from a community of learners and trainers. It targets individuals who need to adapt their skills to the modern job market.
The platform has become particularly relevant due to the high number of job openings and the need for continuous skill development. Quest’s focus on skills relevant to the 21st-century job market positions it as a valuable resource for both job seekers and employers.
Threads
Threads, launched by Meta Platforms in mid-2023, is a text-based social media app positioned as a competitor to Twitter (now X). With a user base of 160 million, Threads integrates with Instagram, offering a text-centric platform for public conversations and updates. It has quickly become popular due to its association with Instagram and Meta’s extensive reach.
The platform’s rapid growth reflects the strong demand for alternatives to traditional text-based social media, particularly those connected to existing major networks like Instagram. Neymar Jr. is currently the most-followed user, highlighting the platform’s significant social influence.
WeAre8
Founded in 2012 and based in New York, NY, WeAre8 offers a distinct social media experience by providing users with a daily selection of curated content and compensating them for viewing ads. The platform emphasizes “social media with purpose,” focusing on meaningful content and user rewards.
With a search growth rate of 1,300% and a substantial $37.2 million in funding, WeAre8 is gaining attention for its innovative approach to content consumption and advertising. Its model aims to create a more engaging and rewarding user experience.
Lemon8
Lemon8, developed by ByteDance and launched in April 2020, is a photo-sharing app that has seen significant growth in the US market. Initially popular in Japan and Thailand, Lemon8 has expanded its reach, becoming a notable player in the lifestyle app category.
The app has been downloaded over 5 million times and has gained a strong user base, particularly in the lifestyle segment. Its rise reflects the growing demand for visually driven social media platforms, supported by ByteDance’s marketing efforts.
Mastodon
Mastodon, which saw its user base soar from 300,000 to over 1.7 million monthly active users in late 2022 and 2023, continues to make waves in 2024. This decentralized, open-source platform allows users to run their own servers, or “instances,” that interact through the ActivityPub protocol. Mastodon supports posts up to 5,000 characters, and users can include images, audio, and video.
For marketers, Mastodon offers a unique opportunity to engage with niche communities and leverage a decentralized network. Understanding its structure and community-driven approach will be essential for effectively utilizing this platform in your marketing strategy.
Supernova
Supernova, founded in 2012 in London, UK, distinguishes itself by sharing 60% of its ad revenue with charities chosen by its users. The platform integrates social networking with philanthropy, appealing to users interested in supporting charitable causes through their social media activity.
Despite the lack of disclosed user numbers, Supernova’s focus on charitable giving and social entrepreneurship aligns with the growing trend of socially conscious online engagement, reflecting its commitment to making a positive impact.
BAND
BAND, established in 2013 in Palo Alto, CA, is a platform designed to facilitate group communication and collaboration. With over 50 million users, BAND is tailored for teams and group leaders who need a structured environment for managing group interactions and communications.
The platform’s user interface and experience are specifically designed to address common issues in group communication, making it a valuable tool for organizations and teams seeking an efficient way to coordinate and collaborate.
eToro
Founded in 2007 in Tel Aviv, Israel, eToro combines social networking with trading, allowing users to follow and copy the trading strategies of others. With a user base of over 3 million, eToro has carved out a niche in the social trading space, enabling investors to leverage the expertise of successful traders.
The platform’s innovative approach to trading and social interaction has made it popular among investors who seek both community engagement and actionable trading insights.
Sunroom
Sunroom, launched in 2020 in Los Angeles, CA, is a content-sharing platform with a focus on body positivity and sex-worker-friendly policies. It aims to provide a supportive environment for adult content creators and users, differentiating itself from more traditional platforms.
While user numbers are undisclosed, Sunroom’s emphasis on inclusivity and positive representation aligns with the increasing demand for platforms that prioritize diverse and body-positive content.
Peanut
Founded in 2016 in London, UK, Peanut is a social network focused on connecting women at various stages of life, including fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, and menopause. With 3 million users, Peanut provides a supportive community for women seeking to share experiences and advice.
The platform’s emphasis on care, empathy, and collectivism addresses the need for meaningful support networks tailored to women’s health and life stages.
Substack
Substack, established in 2017 in San Francisco, CA, is a platform dedicated to newsletter creation and distribution. With over 20 million users, Substack allows writers and content creators to build and monetize their subscriber base through paid newsletters.
The platform has seen substantial growth, reflecting the rising interest in direct-to-reader content and the potential for independent writers to generate revenue through their subscriptions.
Elpha
Elpha, launched in January 2019 in San Francisco, CA, serves as a professional networking platform focused on women, including trans-women and non-binary individuals identifying as women. With a user base of over 100,000, Elpha offers a space for professional development and networking.
The platform’s niche focus on supporting women in their careers addresses a gap in traditional networking sites, fostering a supportive environment for female professionals.
Public
Public, founded in 2015 in New York, NY, is a social investing platform that allows users to follow and copy the trading strategies of others. With 25 million users, Public integrates social features with investment tools, catering to both novice and experienced investors.
The platform’s growth reflects the increasing interest in social trading and the desire for a community-driven approach to investing.
Dispo
Dispo, launched in 2019 in Los Angeles, CA, initially known as David’s Disposable, is a photo-sharing app that mimics the experience of using a disposable camera. With over 1 million users, Dispo offers a nostalgic approach to photo sharing, focusing on capturing moments in a more authentic way.
The app’s unique concept and growing user base highlight its appeal to those seeking a different kind of photo-sharing experience.
Caffeine
Launched on April 1, 2016, in California, Caffeine focuses on live video content, particularly within the African-American community. With over 350,000 users, Caffeine offers a platform for live streaming content such as rap battles and street dancing.
The platform’s emphasis on live, culturally relevant content appeals to audiences seeking real-time engagement and entertainment within a specific community.
WattPad
WattPad, founded in November 2006 in Toronto, Canada, is a social platform for writers and readers to share and discover stories. With 94 million users, WattPad offers tools for writing, publishing, and engaging with a community of readers and creators.
The platform’s large user base and focus on storytelling make it a key destination for those interested in literature and creative writing.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll, established in 2008 in San Francisco, CA, is a leading platform for anime streaming and social networking. With over 120 million users, Crunchyroll offers a comprehensive experience for anime fans, including live streaming, community engagement, and blog updates.
The platform’s extensive user base and focus on anime reflect its significant role in the global anime and manga community.
Conclusion
As the social media landscape remains fiercely competitive with major players dominating the space, new platforms like Mastodon are carving out their own niches.
By focusing on decentralization and community-driven features, these emerging platforms are addressing specific user needs and preferences.
This trend of innovation and market disruption is likely to persist, offering fresh opportunities for marketers and brands willing to explore these evolving spaces into 2025 and beyond.
