Beyond Instagram: Introducing the next generation of social apps
TechCrunch explores emerging social media alternatives like Retro and Cosmos that aim to provide more personal and curated experiences. These apps cater to users seeking to move away from traditional Big Tech platforms toward tighter-knit communities.
Why it matters
The shift toward niche, private social networking reflects growing user fatigue with mainstream platforms and data privacy concerns.
For years, our social media experiences have been dominated by Big Tech players like Meta (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), Google (YouTube), Snapchat, TikTok, and X. But a growing number of startups are taking aim at these giants by building new, often smaller and more personal social networking experiences to connect people with friends, interests, and tighter-knit communities.
The article provides a balanced overview of new market entrants in the social media space.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in