"Users increasingly want to spend less time on generalized sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, and instead join online communities tailored to their interests, she believes. Natalie Dillon, a consumer investor at venture firm Maveron, says she's starting to see an increasing number of founders build interest-first networks. "At its core, consumer behavior is pushing a shift from performance to participation," Dillon told TechCrunch. "For the next generation, community isn't a feature layered on top of a product. It is the product.""
"She offers examples like Beli, an app that lets users share their favorite restaurants with friends, or Fizz, which connects people going to the same college. Others include the astrology-bonding app Co-Star, or even Partiful, which lets people connect with friends to plan events. These are the types of participatory apps that Naqvi wants to build - something resembling the early social internet before it "became fractured and joyless.""
Many social platforms prioritized maximizing scrolling time over fostering connection, leaving abundant content but less joy. Fans increasingly prefer interest-first, niche online communities tailored to specific passions rather than generalized sites. Startups and apps are emerging to serve these needs, enabling participation and shared experiences around restaurants, colleges, astrology, or event planning. Examples include Lore for fandoms, Beli, Fizz, Co-Star, and Partiful. Investor interest and founder activity are shifting toward community-driven products where participation is central. These participatory networks aim to recreate early social internet experiences and restore more joyful, connected online interactions.
Read at TechCrunch
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