As consumers spend more and more time on social media whilst being stuck at home, brands are looking for new ways to reach and engage audiences. Many niche social platforms have emerged in recent years to help fill a hole that perhaps Facebook and Instagram, which have long dominated social media, can’t. Here are five niche social platforms if you are looking to diversify your social media efforts.
Lasso
Facebook quietly launched standalone app Lasso, designed to compete with TikTok. The short-form lip-synching video app was introduced as Facebook was awestruck by the unprecedented reach of TikTok over a short period of time. Subsequently, Lasso, Facebook’s very own version of TikTok was introduced in 2018, letting users record themselves dancing and lip-syncing to music. In the meantime, TikTok got entangled in controversies, including the accusation of delivering the data of its US users to the Chinese government.
Users have to sign in via Instagram or Facebook first. Authorised users can then view a curated feed of recommended videos, much like Instagram, and can follow creators, search hashtags, discover viral videos and join in by putting their own spin on them using the video editing effects. You can also cross-post videos directly to your Facebook stories with a single tap.
Caffeine
Caffeine allows users to discover shows, stream live sports, and watch entertainment, gaming, and sports while chatting to other streamers and fans in real-time, wherever you are. The platform, which is considered a competitor of Twitch, has been well received so far. In 2018 Caffeine raised $100 million from 21st Century Fox, which paved the way for new features to increase its reach, and in November last year, it emerged out of a two-year beta test. The platform is keen to add more features to grow its userbase by expanding beyond gaming to provide a variety of sports and entertainment to its users. Caffeine already features content from its partners like DreamHack, ESPN, and Disney. Recently, Caffeine has signed top talent and influencers that are on other platforms like YouTube, Twitch, and Instagram, therefore attracting more users and becoming more popular. Just last month they signed a long-term contract with Drake, allowing users to watch live rap battles for free and exciting curated content presented by Drake.
Steemit
Steemit is a blogging and social media platform based on blockchain. The platform rewards users with native cryptocurrency STEEM for editing and publishing popular content. It’s currently the only blockchain that can power real applications via social apps like Steemit. Steemit has built a community where users are rewarded for sharing their voice, and uses can maintain control over their data and become platform stakeholders. Meanwhile, in February 2020, the platform announced a partnership with Tron, a blockchain-based decentralized platform (DApps), to bring steem blockchain-based DApps under one roof. The partnership includes the shift of old steem token to a new steem token based on the Tron blockchain. Following this, the Steem token surged almost 26% over a 24-hour period.
Vero
Vero is unique in that it has no ads and no algorithms. Users have complete control over their data making it a unique platform. As a result, the feed is in chronological order, something Instagram isn’t and feeds are filled with meaningful content that users own. In addition to features that help social media feel more like social life, this platform focuses on quality, not quantity. It featured as Best New App in over 100 countries and is recently looking to tackle the subscription model.
Triller
Triller is a social video app that has grabbed the attention of many creators recently. The app allows you to edit a video with numerous video filters in minutes and add stellar music from the top trending tracks or your own music library. You can merge video takes easily, which you can then upload to other social platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, and share with your video community. The platform, which has over 60 million downloads, is becoming ever-more popular as it enables users to create professional-looking shareable videos in seconds for trending challenges. The likes of Rita Ora, Justin Bieber, and Kevin Hart have already created Triller videos.
Emerging social media platforms
New social platforms with innovative concepts are getting rolled out as people look to experience something new and engaging. At the same time, advertisers are looking for ways to stay ahead of the competition and utilise the new opportunities emerging platforms present.
Is your brand using any of the above? Let us know by commenting below.
