7 Social Media Platforms You Probably Don’t Know About

Most social media users have the usual apps on their phones, including big names like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and X. But are those really the only options? With 5.07 billion people on some form of social media in 2024, there are far more platforms out there than you might realize. Chances are, you haven’t yet come across platforms like Snow or Meetup until now. Or, what about a website where business professionals can network, like The Dots? It's safe to say there are more online social hubs for us to connect with people than we think. And, as the internet continues to grow, we can expect to see them in even larger numbers. Ready to step away from the mainstream websites and try something new? Keep reading as we show you the seven best social media platforms you probably don't know about.

Meetup

Moving to a new city can make meeting new people a bit of a challenge, but platforms like Meetup, with around 60 million members, make it so much easier. This interactive site connects people through real-life gatherings based on their shared interests, helping you build connections with others in your area. Once you’ve set up your profile, you can check out a variety of events nearby that match your interests. So, imagine you're into something like art. You might find local meetups in your hometown showcasing some cool exhibits where you can get together with others who share your passion. Meetup isn’t solely about participating in others’ events; all members have the opportunity to set up their own gatherings as well. With your account, you’ll find a feature that allows you to create events in your area, making it easy for you to find your tribe.

Snow

Seen as one of Snapchat's competitors, Snow is a fun app that lets you send picture and video-based messages to your buddies. Much of its roughly 200 million users are located in South Korea, and some are in China, as Snapchat is blocked there and is also available in the US. Snow has a few minor differences from Snapchat. For instance, its story feature keeps posts live for 72 hours instead of the usual 24 hours. Plus, messages on Snow last for 24 hours before disappearing permanently, while Snapchat deletes messages right after they’re read.

The Dots

Next, we move to an app that all entrepreneurs will love: The Dots. You could argue that this platform is quite similar to LinkedIn in many ways. It's an online space for business professionals and job seekers to network with each other, share ideas, and search for jobs. The Dots is packed with exciting features, from virtual events where you can build new skills to advice forums where experts answer your questions. It has over more than half a million people signed up, and if it's anything like LinkedIn's rise, it's only going to grow more.

ReverbNation

If you're in the music business and haven’t signed up for ReverbNation, you’re missing out. Launched in 2006, ReverbNation is designed for everyone in music to collaborate and grow, including artists, producers, and even venue owners. With a strong community of 4 million users, ReverbNation has a range of powerful tools for professionals to use. Set yourself up with unbelievable opportunities, connect with fans through an all-in-one platform, and even get help building a custom website to take the next step in your music career.

Cross.TV

Link up with other Christian believers in different countries and discuss your faith with Cross.TV. Available in 22 languages and boasting a membership base of over 770,000, it's the ideal platform for anyone looking to form relationships with like-minded believers. On Cross.TV's website, you'll have the opportunity to discuss your favorite religious topics with other worshipers, listen to plenty of experienced speakers and bands, and watch some spiritually uplifting TV shows.

Clubhouse

Like Whatsapp's voice message feature? You're going to love Clubhouse for its audio note rooms. Rather than sending snippets of text like you can do on almost any social media site, Clubhouse is strictly for sending voice recordings to people. When you log into the Clubhouse app, you’ll find a variety of 'rooms' to join, where you can chat with others about lots of different topics. Once inside, the room’s creator takes on the moderator role, controlling who gets to speak. If you’re not getting the chance to say anything, there’s a ‘raise hand’ feature that lets the moderator know you’d like to join the conversation. They can enable your microphone, giving you the opportunity to share your thoughts with everyone in the room or refuse to and just let you listen. In 2020, Clubhouse only had around 600,000 weekly users, but by 2023, that number had surged to 10 million. Despite its huge number of active users, it remains a somewhat niche app.

IMVU

IMVU has been around for quite some time; this 3D social metaverse was founded in 2004, and it has managed to hold on to its 4 million monthly users. Step into a fully virtual world alongside other users, customize your character, form meaningful connections with other avatars, attend lively parties, and explore virtual malls. There are even ways for users to earn extra income by designing and selling their own digital products. Roughly 50% of IMVU's users come from the US, and the other 50% are located in different countries like the UK, Brazil, France, and Canada. IMVU estimates that the average user spends about 55 minutes a day on the platform, which is quite a substantial amount of time. So, if you decide to join, just keep in mind that it can be surprisingly addictive.

Find Your Community With One of These Lesser-Known Social Media Platforms

You could ask anyone what their favorite social media platform is, and they'd most likely hit you with some familiar names. Yet, the websites we’ve highlighted in this article are steadily gaining popularity; it wouldn’t be surprising if you start hearing their names more frequently in the coming years.