{"id":110330,"date":"2018-11-01T22:09:41","date_gmt":"2018-11-01T22:09:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=110330"},"modified":"2025-07-01T22:48:35","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T05:48:35","slug":"5-smaller-social-media-platforms-that-are-challenging-facebook-and-instagram","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/5-smaller-social-media-platforms-that-are-challenging-facebook-and-instagram\/","title":{"rendered":"5 smaller social media platforms that are challenging Facebook and Instagram"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-110332 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"social media\" width=\"840\" height=\"473\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-768x433.jpg 768w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-800x450.jpg 800w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-664x374.jpg 664w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-238x134.jpg 238w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-436x246.jpg 436w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-370x208.jpg 370w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-304x170.jpg 304w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/socialmedia1.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>You probably already have a Facebook account and an\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/instagram-guide-make-the-most-of-instagram-online\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Instagram account<\/a>. But sometimes the same old news feed can get old. Ready for a new frontier? Head over to one of these smaller social networking websites. You will find a lot of familiar features (and maybe even some familiar faces), but you&#8217;ll enjoy fun new ways to connect and play.<\/p>\n<h2>5 smaller social media platforms that are challenging Facebook and Instagram<\/h2>\n<h3>1. <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Medium<\/a><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-110331 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/Medium_Social-Media1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"714\" srcset=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/Medium_Social-Media1.jpg 700w, https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/Medium_Social-Media1-294x300.jpg 294w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Do you have a story to tell? Or do you want to read the stories others are telling? Whether fact or fiction, poetry or images, you&#8217;ll find content galore on <a href=\"https:\/\/medium.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">this fast-growing site.<\/a> The emphasis here is on community. Create a free profile, follow your favorite writers and publications, and \u201capplaud\u201d pieces or comments you find particularly amazing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/08\/phone-icon-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">Deleted Facebook? Say hello to these little-known social networks<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/deleted-facebook-say-hello-to-these-little-known-social-networks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/deleted-facebook-say-hello-to-these-little-known-social-networks\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>2. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ning.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ning<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Why use a social network when you can build your own? That\u2019s the thinking behind <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ning.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ning<\/a>, a social networking platform that allows its users to make a community of their own. Your social network can be public, private, or for members only. You can choose the type of access you want to allow to your website and determine what members are allowed to do within your site. Everything on your site, whether it was uploaded by you or one of your members, belongs to you.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/10\/work-woman-laptop-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">Social media at work: pros, cons, and is it necessary?<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/social-media-at-work-pros-cons-and-is-it-necessary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/social-media-at-work-pros-cons-and-is-it-necessary\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>3. <a href=\"https:\/\/secure.hi5.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">hi5<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>Are you tired of seeing the same old thing on your social network feeds \u2014 the familiar faces and the constant complaining? Do you want to meet someone new? This social networking site boasts an impressive number of users. The site states you will make new friends \u201cthrough games, shared interests, friend suggestions, browsing profiles, and much more.\u201d Meet others by sorting through age, location, and more. They say it\u2019s a place to \u201cmeet, chat, and flirt.\u201d If you are looking for a different kind of social network, <a href=\"https:\/\/secure.hi5.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">give hi5 a try.<\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/03\/delete-facebook-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">6 social media apps that are better than Facebook<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/6-social-media-apps-that-are-better-than-facebook\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/6-social-media-apps-that-are-better-than-facebook\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>4. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.snapchat.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Snapchat<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019ve likely heard of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.snapchat.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Snapchat<\/a>. If you love taking pictures with your phone, this app is up your alley. Take a photo or shoot a video and send it to one of your friends. After they view your content, it disappears. To save photos, users would need to take a screenshot. Otherwise, it\u2019s a great way to send something funny that may not be worth keeping around forever.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-program\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-program__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__img\" alt=\"Snapchat\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sftcdn.net\/images\/t_app-logo-l,f_auto,dpr_auto\/p\/103d7574-96d6-11e6-bee8-00163ed833e7\/1972070969\/snapchat-logo.png\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-title\">\r\n        <span class=\"sc-card-program__title\">Snapchat<\/span>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-program__button sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/snapchat.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Download Free <\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-rating\">\r\n        <svg class=\"rating-score__content\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\" viewbox=\"0 0 50 50\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 50 50\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><path class=\"rating-score__background rating-score--good\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><path class=\"rating-score__value rating-score__value--80\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-dashoffset=\"80\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><text class=\"rating-score__number\" content=\"8\" text-anchor=\"middle\" transform=\"matrix(1 0 0 1 25 31.0837)\" data-auto=\"app-user-score\">8<\/text><\/svg>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <span class=\"sc-card-program__description\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__bigpic\" src=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-program__link track-link sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/snapchat.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>5. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kik.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kik<\/a><\/h3>\n<p>It doesn\u2019t matter what device you and your friends have\u00a0\u2014 on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.kik.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kik<\/a>, everyone can chit chat together, one-on-one, or with a bot. What do we mean by\u00a0<em>bot<\/em>? Well, on Kik, bots offer up quizzes, advice, the latest news, fashion tips, and they even play games with your friends if you want to allow a bot in your group chat. If you aren\u2019t into the whole bot idea, no problem! Gifs, emoticons, stickers, and images are allowed on Kik to help you add that extra little something-something to conversations with your friends.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-program\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-program__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__img\" alt=\"Kik\" src=\"https:\/\/images.sftcdn.net\/images\/t_app-logo-l,f_auto,dpr_auto\/p\/f6bc9daa-9b2b-11e6-a090-00163ed833e7\/1173581715\/kik-logo.png\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-title\">\r\n        <span class=\"sc-card-program__title\">Kik<\/span>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-program__button sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/kik-messenger.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">download free<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-rating\">\r\n        <svg class=\"rating-score__content\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\" viewbox=\"0 0 50 50\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 50 50\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><path class=\"rating-score__background rating-score--good\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><path class=\"rating-score__value rating-score__value--70\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-dashoffset=\"70\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><text class=\"rating-score__number\" content=\"7\" text-anchor=\"middle\" transform=\"matrix(1 0 0 1 25 31.0837)\" data-auto=\"app-user-score\">7<\/text><\/svg>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <span class=\"sc-card-program__description\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__bigpic\" src=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-program__link track-link sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/kik-messenger.en.softonic.com\/\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h3>Make new friends and keep the old<\/h3>\n<p>These smaller social networks could be your next favorite way to spend the day. Sign up, log in, and see what you think. Then, take a look at these other\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/windows\/social-networking\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">social networking sites<\/a>\u00a0to see where you fit in.<\/p>\n<!-- Shortcode [playwire] does not match the conditions -->\n<div class=\"sc-related-articles-white\">\r\n<p class=\"sc-related-articles-white__title\">Social Media Security Tips and Tricks<\/p>\r\n  <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__row\">\r\n    <a title=\"How to set up two-factor authentication on Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-set-up-two-factor-authentication-on-facebook\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/05\/two-step-authorization-Facebook.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>How to set up two-factor authentication on Facebook<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    <a title=\"How to bulk delete apps and website logins on Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-bulk-delete-apps-and-website-logins-on-facebook\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/04\/access-app-application-267399.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>How to bulk delete apps and website logins on Facebook<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__row\">\r\n    <a title=\"How to manage Android permissions to prevent apps from spying on you\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-manage-android-permissions-to-prevent-apps-from-spying-on-you\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/02\/spy-android-1024x576.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>How to manage Android permissions to prevent apps from spying on you<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    <a title=\"How to find and block advertisers and apps on Facebook\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-find-and-block-advertisers-and-apps-on-facebook\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2016\/05\/facebook.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>How to find and block advertisers and apps on Facebook<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sick of Facebook and Instagram? Ready to try something new? Check out these alternatives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9167,"featured_media":110332,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":1},"categories":[3150],"tags":[2354,1035],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-110330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-app-subdomain-redirectioninstagram","tag-social-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9167"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=110330"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110330\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":327112,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/110330\/revisions\/327112"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/110332"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=110330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=110330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=110330"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=110330"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=110330"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=110330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}