Are Niche Forums Dead in the Age of Reddit and Facebook Groups?

[Shawn Gossman]

Most forums are niche, right?

But aside from forums about forums and really specific niches that don't exist on Facebook groups or Reddit, do you think most niche forums are dead because of these platforms?

If not, why not? Do you think they are thriving on social/Reddit?

 

[Cpvr]

Most forums are niche, right?

But aside from forums about forums and really specific niches that don't exist on Facebook groups or Reddit, do you think most niche forums are dead because of these platforms?

If not, why not? Do you think they are thriving on social/Reddit?

Some niches, yes. However, many niches may have subreddits set up on facebook groups and/or reddit, but these particular areas are dead in the water. These platforms are a lot bigger than ours, but we can still thrive even competiting against them.

For example, there are 3-5 different subreddits that cater to the same niche that VPL does, and we're a lot bigger & more active.

 

[Shawn Gossman]

For example, there are 3-5 different subreddits that cater to the same niche that VPL does, and we're a lot bigger & more active.

It's all about building that community!

Once you establish a community, loyal relationship building is pretty easy.

 

[ruscoe]

I like to think forums will make a comeback as people tire of social media. I'm tired of it, at least!

 

[Shawn Gossman]

I like to think forums will make a comeback as people tire of social media. I'm tired of it, at least!

I hope you're right, but I feel like something other than forums will be the next outlet.

I feel like forums are like Msn Chat, the old tech. I foresee SaaS platforms winning as the next outlet.

Of course, everything will be mobile, too. Forums lack the mobile innovation that most everything else is capable of.

 

[Cpvr]

I hope you're right, but I feel like something other than forums will be the next outlet.

I feel like forums are like Msn Chat, the old tech. I foresee SaaS platforms winning as the next outlet.

Of course, everything will be mobile, too. Forums lack the mobile innovation that most everything else is capable of.

I think forums are fine. They just need actual mobile apps that are included in the app stores and are easily to install for some instead of the normal PWA apps.

Maybe some users find it too confusing to install the simple PWA apps that we have now. The SAAS forum options offer similar features but cater to those selling courses like Mighty networks and circle. Substack is basically a forum as well and they have a large user base.

Forums are also easy to browse on mobile so I don’t necessarily see what they’re missing from the mobile interface itself. Responsive design? Most of them have it.