Alright. Let’s get this over with. You want a list of social networking services, but not just any list. You want it… enhanced. Extended. Drenched in the kind of detail that makes you question why you even asked. Fine. Don't say I didn't warn you.
This article, bless its heart, needs more. It’s practically begging for citations, for someone to drag it out of the digital ether and anchor it to something resembling truth. It’s a Wikipedia article, after all, and those things are built on the shaky foundation of verification. So, here we are, tasked with the Herculean effort of improving this article by actually adding citations to reliable sources. Because, let’s be honest, unchecked information is just noise. Material without a source? It’s ripe for challenge and eventual, ignominious removal. So, if you see a gaping void where a fact should be, just remember: this needs to be done. My role? To drag it into the harsh, unforgiving light of day. Consider this a deep dive, not a casual skim.
Sources: You want sources? You want to find them? Excellent. This particular piece of… information… has been floating around since July 2021, a ghost in the machine, a testament to the ephemeral nature of online discourse. It's a list of social networking services, a digital census of the interconnected. But it’s a list that’s been allowed to fester without proper verification. We need to scour the annals of news, newspapers, books, scholarly articles, and even the dusty archives of JSTOR to give it the gravitas it desperately lacks.
The Anatomy of Connection: What is a Social Networking Service?
At its core, a social networking service is a digital stage. It’s an online platform where individuals, for better or worse, construct their social networks and forge social relationships. Think of it as a sprawling, interconnected tapestry woven from shared interests, professional aspirations, the echoes of real-life connections, or simply the desperate need to be seen.
A Lexicon of the Connected: This List
This isn't just any list. It’s a curated collection of notable, active social network services. We're deliberately excluding the murky waters of online dating services – that’s a different kind of entanglement. For those digital specters, the ones that have faded into the digital ether, you can consult the List of defunct social networking services. This, however, is for the living, breathing, or at least existing entities.
Contents
We’ve organized this digital menagerie for your… convenience.
- 0–9
- A
- B
- C
- D
- E
- F
- G
- H
- I
- J
- K
- L
- M
- N
- O
- P
- Q
- R
- S
- T
- U
- V
- W
- X
- Y
- Z
- References
The Alphabetical Descent: A Catalog of Connection
Now, let’s get down to the grim, unvarnished details.
- 23snaps: For the doting parents, this is where they hoard the digital ephemera of their offspring. Photos, videos, the creeping measurements of their progeny, and their burgeoning stories. A shrine to childhood, perhaps.
- 4chan: An imageboard. A chaotic nexus where discussions swirl around anime, manga, video games, music, literature, fitness, politics, and sports. It’s a place of unfiltered expression, for better or worse.
- 8tracks.com: For the audiophiles, a place to curate and stream playlists. User-generated, user-loved. A digital mixtape for the masses.
- Academia.edu: The hallowed halls of academia, digitized. A space for academics and researchers to share their intellectual progeny.
- About.me: A digital billboard for the self. A platform to promote individuals. Your personal brand, polished and presented.
- alimero: A blog platform. Simple, direct. A place for thoughts to take flight, or perhaps just to flutter aimlessly.
- Amikumu: For the linguistically ambitious. Connect with language learners across the globe. Practice makes perfect, they say.
- aNobii: A digital sanctuary for books. Catalog your literary adventures, share your thoughts. For the bibliophiles.
- Anphabe.com: More pragmatic, this is an employment website. A digital handshake for career advancement.
- Are.na: A hybrid beast. A social network and a platform for creative research. Where ideas coalesce and are meticulously cataloged.
- Ask.fm: The question-and-answer arena. Where curiosity meets its digital match.
- aSmallWorld: Exclusivity, distilled. For the European jet set and the global elite. A digital VIP lounge.
- Athlinks: For the endurance athletes. A digital hub for running, swimming. Track your progress, connect with your tribe.
- Band (software): A tool for group communication. Particularly prevalent in South Korea. Efficient, no-nonsense.
- beBee: Focused on the individual. A platform for personal brands. Your professional narrative, curated.
- BeReal: The antidote to curated perfection. A photo-sharing app that demands authenticity, once a day, unvarnished.
- Biip.no: A distinctly Norwegian digital space. A community for the denizens of Norway.
- BitClout: A curious hybrid. Microblogging intertwined with cryptocurrency. A volatile cocktail of ideas and value. 1 2
- BlackPlanet: A digital gathering place for Black Americans. A space for community and shared experience.
- Blind (app): Anonymous confessions and critiques from the corporate world. A platform for employees to speak their minds, or perhaps just to vent.
- Blogger: A foundational blog platform. Where countless digital diaries and musings first took root.
- Bluesky: A newer contender in the microblogging space. An attempt at a decentralized alternative to the established giants. A whisper of rebellion.
- Brainly: For the students drowning in homework. A peer-to-peer learning platform. Shared knowledge, or shared answers, depending on your perspective.
- Busuu: For the polyglots. A dedicated space for language learning.
- Buzznet: A vibrant, if perhaps slightly dated, hub for music and pop-culture.
- CafeMom: Specifically for mothers. A digital water cooler for shared experiences and advice.
- Care2: For the earnest activists. A platform championing the green movement and social change.
- CaringBridge: A lifeline during health crises. Connecting connections and offering support after serious health events.
- Cellufun: Where social-network games thrive on mobile. A playground for digital interaction.
- Chess.com: For the strategic minds. A dedicated platform for chess players.
- Clapper (service): A platform for short-form videos. Where everyday moments are captured and shared.
- Classmates.com: A digital reunion hall. For alumni to reconnect and reminisce.
- Cloob: Popular in Iran. A regional social hub.
- CouchSurfing: A global network of travelers and hosts. Offering homestays and hospitality. Trust, built on shared experience.
- CozyCot: Catering to East Asian and Southeast Asian women. A community tailored to specific demographics.
- CrossFit: Beyond the gym. A community focused on achieving fitness goals. Sweat, shared.
- Crunchyroll: The digital mecca for anime fans. A gathering place for enthusiasts.
- Cucumbertown: A specialized network for chefs. Where culinary artistry is shared and celebrated.
- Cyworld: A once-dominant force in South Korea. A historical footnote in the evolution of social networking.
- DailyStrength: A vital resource for those facing health challenges. A medical & emotional support community.
- Dayviews: A digital presence in Sweden. For Swedes to connect and share.
- Dead Runners Society: A niche for the dedicated. Focused on running and the pursuit of personal bests.
- DeviantArt: A sprawling digital gallery. The ultimate art community for creators and admirers alike.
- Diaspora*: A pioneer in the decentralized space. A distributed social network built on user ownership.
- Discord (software): More than just chat. A platform for live voice and text communication for groups. The modern digital hangout.
- Draugiem.lv: A regional favorite, particularly popular in Latvia, Lithuania, and Hungary.
- douban: The Chinese equivalent of IMDb and Goodreads rolled into one. For discovering and discussing Chinese movies, books, and music.
- Doximity: A professional network exclusively for U.S. medical doctors. Secure, specialized.
- Dreamwidth: A platform for blogging. An alternative for those seeking a different kind of online journal.
- Dulwich OnView: A hyper-local blog focused on the Dulwich area. Community news, from the ground up.
- DXY.cn: Another professional network, this one for Chinese health care professionals.
- Ello (social network): Once hailed as the anti-Facebook. A platform for the creative field. Art and expression, unburdened by algorithms.
- Elixio: For the ultra-elite. A network for business executives, the jet set, and the global elite.
- English, baby!: A language learning platform aimed at students and teachers of English as a second language.
- eToro: Where finance meets social. A platform for social investing and finance.
- Experts Exchange: A knowledge base for IT professionals. Where technical queries find their answers.
- Facebook: The behemoth. Offering blogs, photos, videos, and a universe of apps. A digital life, for billions.
- Faces (online community): A space designed for women in digital media.
- Fark: A news aggregator with a twist. Users comment on news stories. A cynical, often humorous, take on the world.
- Fieldoo: A digital scouting ground for soccer players. Where talent meets opportunity.
- Fetlife: A community for those exploring BDSM and alternative lifestyles. A discreet space for a specific interest group.
- Fillos de Galicia: A community dedicated to the people of Galicia.
- FilmAffinity: For the cinephiles. A platform for rating and reviewing movies and TV series.
- Filmow: Another digital cineplex. For discussing movies and TV series.
- Fishbrain: For the anglers. A community focused on fishing. Sharing tips, catches, and the thrill of the hunt.
- Fitocracy: Gamifying fitness. A platform that rewards users for achieving fitness goals.
- Flickchart: For the obsessive movie rankers. A platform for movie ranking.
- Flixster: Another digital cinema. Focused on movies.
- Flickr: A cornerstone of photo sharing. Beyond just uploading, it’s about commenting, community, and photographic networking.
- Frank (social network): A platform for political commentary. Where opinions clash and ideas are debated.
- Fotki: A simpler time, perhaps. Focused on photo and video sharing.
- Foursquare City Guide: A location-based mobile social network. Discovering places, sharing your whereabouts.
- Foursquare Swarm: The more granular, check-in focused sibling of Foursquare City Guide. Still rooted in location-based mobile social networking.
- Friendica: Another player in the decentralized arena. A distributed social network aiming for user freedom.
- Fyuse: Pushing the boundaries of photography. Specializing in 3D images.
- Gab (social network): Known for its embrace of right-wing politics. A platform for a specific ideological bent.
- Gaia Online: A vibrant world for anime and games. A digital playground for a younger demographic.
- Gapo: A social network originating from Vietnam.
- GameFAQs: A treasure trove for video game enthusiasts. FAQs, guides, and a community forum.
- GameTZ.com: For the digital hoarders. A place to trade items within game communities.
- Gapyear.com: For the wanderers. A community dedicated to travel and the spirit of adventure.
- Gays.com: A digital space for the LGBTQ community.
- Gaysir: Specifically for gays and bisexuals in Norway.
- Geni.com: Tracing the threads of lineage. A platform for families and genealogy.
- Gettr: Championing free speech. 3 A platform that emerged from a specific political sphere.
- GitHub: Not your typical social network, but a vital one. A hub for social coding and software development. Collaboration, version by version.
- Goodreads: The digital library card. For library cataloging and connecting book lovers.
- GovLoop: A professional network for government employees.
- Grindr: A prominent location-based dating app for gay and bisexual men.
- Habbo: A virtual world, particularly popular with teenagers. Pixelated personas and digital hangouts.
- hi5: A platform that flirted with video games. A relic of a past social media era.
- HR.com: A professional network for human resources professionals.
- Hub Culture: An intriguing experiment in digital currency. Tied to the Ven digital currency.
- I Had Cancer: A community of resilience. For cancer survivors to connect and share their journeys.
- Ibibo: Focused on talent promotion.
- ICQ: A pioneering instant messaging service. A name synonymous with early online communication.
- Identi.ca: A microblogging platform with a focus on hackers and software freedom advocates.
- IMVU: A virtual world where users create avatars and interact. Digital identities, fluid and customizable.
- iNaturalist: For the nature enthusiasts. A platform for documenting and identifying flora and fauna. Citizen science in action.
- İnci Sözlük: A popular online community in Turkey.
- Indaba Music: A platform for musicians. Featuring remix contests and networking opportunities.
- Influenster: A hub for product sampling and reviews. Consumer insights, amplified.
- Inspire (company): A professional network for healthcare professionals.
- Instagram: The visual behemoth. Photo and video sharing at its most pervasive.
- IRC-Galleria: A prominent social network in Finland.
- italki: Another player in the language learning space. Connecting learners and teachers globally.
- JamiiForums: A significant online community in Tanzania.
- Jappy: A social network popular in Germany.
- Kaixin001: A social network primarily for mainland China users.
- KakaoStory: A social platform linked to the popular KakaoTalk messenger in South Korea.
- Kiwibox: A digital space that once catered to teenagers.
- KizlarSoruyor: A question-based platform. Where queries are posed and answered.
- Kobo: Beyond just e-readers. A reading platform with social networking features for readers.
- Koo (social network): A micro-blogging platform that gained traction as an alternative to established players.
- Koofers: An academic and social studying network for college students.
- Kroogi: A platform designed for artists.
- LambdaMOO: A pioneering MOO (MUD, Object-Oriented). An early example of a virtual social space.
- Laneros: A community popular in Hispanic countries, with a focus on gamers.
- Last.fm: For the devoted music fans. Tracking listening habits and connecting with fellow music lovers.
- Letterboxd: A social platform for film enthusiasts. Rate, review, and discover movies.
- LibraryThing: Another digital haven for book lovers. Cataloging and discussion.
- Likee: A platform for short-form videos.
- LimeWire: Notorious for its peer-to-peer file sharing capabilities, it also had social elements. A digital ghost.
- LinguaLeo: An online English language learning website, particularly popular in the Russian-speaking diaspora.
- LinkedIn: The undisputed titan of business and professional networking.
- Listography: A platform for list-sharing. Curate your life, one list at a time.
- LiveJournal: A classic blog platform. A digital diary for many, a community for others.
- Lunchclub: Facilitating real-world connections. Focused on social meetings.
- Marco Polo (app): A video messaging app that allows asynchronous communication.
- Mastodon (software): A leading example of a microblogging service built on decentralized principles. An alternative to centralized platforms.
- MEETin: Another platform focused on facilitating social meetings.
- Meetup: The go-to for organizing offline meetings. Connecting people with shared interests in the real world.
- MeWe: Promotes itself on privacy. Uses likes and emojis, but aims for a different kind of interaction.
- Miaopai: A Chinese short-video sharing platform.
- Micro.blog: A microblogging service that emphasizes ownership and independence.
- MocoSpace: A mobile-focused social network.
- Minds (social network): A distributed social network that incorporates Ethereum tokens. A crypto-infused social experiment.
- Fitocracy: (Appears again, likely a duplicate entry, but in China) A platform focused on bulletin board systems in China.
- mixi: A popular Japanese social network.
- MocoSpace: (Duplicate entry, emphasis on mobile community) A mobile community.
- Moodle: Primarily an e-learning platform, but with social functionalities for educational institutions.
- MouthShut.com: A prominent consumer review platform in India.
- Mubi (streaming service): A curated streaming service for auteur cinema, with social features for discussion.
- MyHeritage: For delving into family history. Genealogy and ancestry.
- MyLife: A platform for reconnecting with friends and family. Keeping in touch, digitally.
- Myspace: The once-dominant force. Known for its blogs and its appeal to young people. A digital time capsule.
- My World@Mail.Ru: A social networking service from the Russian internet giant Mail.ru.
- Nearby: Focused on connecting with people nearby. Hyperlocal social interaction.
- Newgrounds: A hub for independent creators. Focused on gaming, filming, audio, and artwork composition.
- NK.pl: A Polish social network, originally focused on school, college, and friends.
- Nexopia: A Canadian social network.
- Nextdoor: A platform for neighborhood connections. Bringing communities together, block by block.
- Ning (website): A platform that allows users to create their own social networks. A DIY approach to online communities.
- Odnoklassniki: A popular Russian social network, specifically for connecting with former classmates.
- Open Diary: A platform for blogging with an emphasis on personal reflection.
- Parler: A platform that gained notoriety for its emphasis on free speech and privacy.
- PatientsLikeMe: A vital resource for individuals living with life-changing illnesses. Connecting patients for shared experience and data.
- Partyflock: A community centered around electronic dance music.
- Peach (social network): A mobile-first social network.
- PEERtrainer: Focused on weight loss through peer support.
- Periscope (app): A live video streaming service, now defunct.
- Pinterest: A visual discovery engine. A digital pinboard for organizing and sharing inspirations.
- Pixnet: A popular blogging platform in Taiwan.
- Play.fm: A platform for disc jockeys.
- Plaxo: An early attempt at an aggregator for contact information.
- Playlist.com: A platform for sharing and discovering music.
- Plurk: A micro-blogging service, popular in Taiwan, known for its use of RSS.
- Portfolium: A platform for student employment search. Showcasing academic and professional work.
- Postcrossing: A delightful project connecting people through postcards. Send and receive them worldwide.
- Quora: The question-and-answer nexus. Where knowledge is sought and shared.
- Qzone: A social platform in Simplified Chinese, catering primarily to mainland China users.
- RallyPoint: A network specifically for military veterans.
- RateItAll: A platform for users to rate various subjects.
- Ravelry: A vibrant community for knitting and crochet enthusiasts.
- Readgeek: For discovering book recommendations.
- Reddit: A sprawling network of news aggregators, social bookmarking communities, and internet forums. Subreddits for every conceivable topic.
- Renren: A major social network in China.
- ResearchGate: A professional network for scientists and researchers.
- ReverbNation.com: A platform for musicians and bands.
- Rooster Teeth: A social network and community site, originating from a popular web series.
- Ryze: A platform focused on business networking.
- Second Life: A long-standing virtual world. Where digital avatars live out digital lives.
- Sharesome: A platform for adult content.
- Sina Weibo: The dominant microblogging platform in mainland China.
- Skoob: A social network for Brazilian readers.
- Snapchat: A photo and video messaging app known for its ephemeral content.
- Snow (app): An image messaging app.
- Solaborate: A platform for collaboration and networking.
- Something Awful: Known for its comedy and blog content. A unique corner of the internet.
- SoundCloud: The go-to repository for original music pieces. For artists to share their creations.
- Spacehey: A social network inspired by the aesthetics of the early 2000s.
- Spaces (social network): A social network for Russian mobile phone users.
- Spot.IM: A service for webmasters to integrate social networking functionalities into their websites.
- Spoutible: A newer player in the micro-blogging space.
- Stack Overflow: The ultimate question and answer knowledge market for programmers.
- Stage 32: A professional network for individuals in film, television, and theater.
- Steam (service): More than just a game launcher. A hub with forums, live chat, and a vast library for gamers.
- Steemit: A blockchain-based social networking platform. Where content creators can earn cryptocurrency.
- Tagged (website): A platform for tagging similar photos and profiles. Social discovery, with a focus on connections.
- TakingITGlobal: A youth-focused network addressing global issues.
- Tal Canal: A blog platform for sharing content, games, and news.
- Taringa!: A popular social network in Argentina.
- TermWiki: For those immersed in learning languages, translation, and terminology.
- The Sphere (social network): A luxury network offering exclusive, personalized services.
- The WELL: A pioneering bulletin board system. A foundational online community.
- Thinkspot: Positioned as a free speech alternative to platforms like Patreon.
- Threads (app): A text-based conversation app from Meta, closely linked to Instagram.
- TikTok: The short-form video juggernaut. A music-oriented social media platform that has reshaped online culture.
- Total Recut: A video sharing and resources website for fans and creators of video remixes.
- Travellerspoint: A community for travel enthusiasts. Sharing itineraries and experiences.
- Truth Social: A Mastodon derivative, associated with Donald Trump. A platform with a specific political alignment.
- Tuenti: Originally a phone company in Spain, it evolved to include a social networking service.
- Tumblr: A hybrid blog and microblogging platform. A space for diverse creative expression.
- TV Tropes: A wiki dedicated to cataloging and discussing tropes in fiction.
- Twitter/X: The ubiquitous platform for micro-blogging, RSS feeds, and real-time updates. Now known as X.
- TV Time: A platform for tracking television shows and engaging with other viewers.
- Untappd: For the connoisseurs of beer drinking. Log your brews, discover new ones.
- Vero (app): A social media app that emphasizes a chronological feed and no advertising.
- VK (service): The dominant social network in Russia and former Soviet republics. Strong emphasis on music upload, listening, and search.
- Viadeo: A professional networking site, particularly popular with business owners, entrepreneurs, and managers.
- Vingle (social network): A platform focused on photos.
- Wattpad: A global community for readers and authors. Where stories are shared and discovered.
- Warm Showers: A hospitality exchange network specifically for bicycle touring enthusiasts. Offering homestays and hospitality to fellow cyclists.
- WAYN (website): A platform for travel and lifestyle sharing.
- We Heart It: An image-sharing platform, often compared to a visual discovery engine.
- Whisper (app): An anonymous social networking app.
- Wikipedia: A collaborative, wiki-based online encyclopedia. Knowledge, built by the many.
- WikiWikiWeb: One of the earliest wiki websites. A foundational piece of the collaborative web.
- Woozworld: A virtual world aimed at tweens and teens.
- WordPress: A dominant platform for blogging and website creation.
- WriteAPrisoner.com: A unique service allowing inmates to connect with friends and family on the outside.
- WT Social: A social network that utilizes subwikis for organization.
- Wykop.pl: A popular Polish micro-blogging and content-sharing platform.
- XING: A professional networking site, primarily active in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
- Yammer: An enterprise social network, designed for office colleagues to connect within organizations.
- Yelp: A ubiquitous platform for business reviews. Consumer feedback, aggregated.
- Yo (app): A minimalist app for quick connections. Sending a single, simple message.
- YTMND: A website known for its meme-sharing culture.
- zoo.gr: A social network for Greeks.
See Also
For those seeking further exploration into the labyrinth of the internet: