Top 10 Emerging Social Media Platforms for SMACC Members: Growth, Comparison, and What Sets Them Apart
For SMACC members, staying informed about emerging social media platforms is critical to maximizing opportunities and reaching new audiences. As established giants like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok dominate, a new wave of platforms is carving out unique spaces by focusing on niche audiences, innovative features, and fresh ways of interaction.
Here’s an overview of the top 10 emerging platforms, how their growth compares to existing players, and what sets them apart.
1. BeReal
• What It Is: A photo-sharing app encouraging authenticity by prompting users to post unfiltered photos at random times daily.
• Growth Comparison: BeReal has grown exponentially, especially among Gen Z, reaching 20 million daily active users in 2023. While it’s nowhere near Instagram’s 2 billion users, its rapid adoption highlights a desire for authenticity.
• What Sets It Apart: No filters, no polished aesthetics—just raw, in-the-moment sharing. BeReal focuses on candidness rather than curation.
2. Lemon8
• What It Is: A lifestyle-focused app by ByteDance (parent of TikTok) combining elements of Instagram and Pinterest.
• Growth Comparison: With over 16 million downloads globally, it’s growing as a niche platform for lifestyle content, leveraging ByteDance’s existing user base.
• What Sets It Apart: A curated, magazine-like aesthetic for creators to share visually appealing, niche content in areas like fashion, food, and wellness.
3. Discord
• What It Is: Initially a gamer-centric platform, Discord has evolved into a community-building hub for creators, educators, and brands.
• Growth Comparison: Over 150 million monthly active users, rivaling platforms like Reddit. It’s unique for its emphasis on private, interest-based communities.
• What Sets It Apart: Voice channels, deep customization, and integration with other apps make it a go-to for building engaged, loyal communities.
4. Mastodon
• What It Is: A decentralized, open-source social network offering an alternative to Twitter.
• Growth Comparison: Post-Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, Mastodon surged to over 10 million accounts, though its active user base is smaller.
• What Sets It Apart: Users join individual servers (called “instances”) with their own moderation rules, fostering a more community-driven environment.
5. Threads by Instagram
• What It Is: A text-based app from Meta designed to compete with Twitter.
• Growth Comparison: Threads reached 100 million sign-ups within days of launch in mid-2023 but has struggled to maintain active engagement compared to Twitter.
• What Sets It Apart: Seamless integration with Instagram and a focus on casual, conversational content over high-stakes virality.
6. Clubhouse
• What It Is: A live-audio platform allowing users to host and join voice chat rooms.
• Growth Comparison: After skyrocketing during the pandemic, Clubhouse saw declines in active users, now facing competition from platforms like X (Spaces) and Discord.
• What Sets It Apart: Exclusively audio-based, fostering deeper, real-time discussions and networking opportunities for niche communities.
7. Fanbase
• What It Is: A subscription-based platform for creators to monetize their content directly.
• Growth Comparison: While small compared to Patreon or OnlyFans, Fanbase is growing due to its focus on helping creators of all sizes earn revenue.
• What Sets It Apart: A hybrid model combining social media features with direct monetization tools like subscriptions and tips.
8. Post.news
• What It Is: A platform aiming to combine the best of social media with credible news content.
• Growth Comparison: Still in its early stages, Post.news appeals to a niche audience seeking fact-based conversations, contrasting X’s chaotic rebranding.
• What Sets It Apart: Emphasis on news and editorial content, allowing users to support journalists directly through microtransactions.
9. Hive Social
• What It Is: A social platform blending features of Twitter, Instagram, and MySpace.
• Growth Comparison: After surging to over 1 million downloads in late 2022, Hive has stabilized as a niche platform.
• What Sets It Apart: Focus on simplicity, ad-free experiences, and chronological feeds, appealing to users tired of algorithm-heavy platforms.
10. Nostr (Notes and Other Stuff Transmitted by Relays)
• What It Is: A decentralized social platform allowing users to control their own content without a central authority.
• Growth Comparison: Popularized by influencers like Jack Dorsey, Nostr is still niche but growing as Web3 enthusiasts embrace decentralization.
• What Sets It Apart: User sovereignty over data, minimal censorship, and blockchain integration, making it a key player in the Web3 space.
Comparison to Major Players
Platform Monthly Active Users Notable Features Strengths vs. Major Players
Instagram 2B+ Visuals, Reels Established, polished, broad reach
TikTok 1B+ Short-form videos Virality, strong Gen Z appeal
BeReal 20M Candid sharing Authenticity, simplicity
Discord 150M Community focus Customizable, niche groups
Mastodon 10M Decentralized servers Community-driven, privacy-first
Threads ~100M sign-ups Text conversations Integration with Instagram
What Sets Emerging Platforms Apart
1. Niche Communities: Platforms like Discord and Mastodon focus on tight-knit, interest-based groups over mass audiences.
2. Decentralization: Mastodon and Nostr offer users more control over their data and content.
3. Authenticity: BeReal and Hive Social emphasize unfiltered, real-time sharing, a counter to curated aesthetics.
4. Direct Monetization: Platforms like Fanbase enable creators to earn directly without relying solely on ad revenue.
5. Integrated Features: Lemon8 and Threads borrow from existing giants but refine experiences for targeted demographics.
For SMACC Members
• Emerging Platforms = Opportunities: These platforms allow creators to establish themselves early in growing ecosystems, often facing less competition than on established giants.
• Adaptability: Staying aware of trends and experimenting with new platforms helps creators future-proof their strategies.
• Niche Targeting: Emerging platforms are perfect for reaching specific audiences with tailored content and authentic engagement.
Final Thoughts
The social media landscape is constantly evolving, with new platforms challenging the dominance of established players. For SMACC members, understanding these emerging platforms, their growth potential, and unique features is crucial to staying ahead in content creation and audience engagement. By diversifying your presence across both established and up-and-coming platforms, you can unlock new opportunities and future-proof your content strategy.
