Recent changes in major social media platforms, are driving some users to seek alternatives.
In a recent week, over 700,000 users joined the Chinese app RedNote. Other platforms like Pixelfed and Cara also saw a surge in popularity. Bluesky, another alternative, boasts over 30 million users.
RedNote, originally a product review platform, now functions similarly to a combination of Pinterest and TikTok. It presents users with an algorithmically curated feed of videos, images, and slideshows. Early adopters from outside China were met with a welcoming attitude from existing Chinese users, who helped them navigate the app and its cultural nuances.
However, potential users should be aware of RedNote’s terms and conditions. The platform use the user’s content. Concerns have also been raised regarding data collection, privacy, and censorship, as the app is subject to Chinese law. Reports indicate the platform has restrictions on a range of content.
Some users are exploring decentralized platforms as alternatives to those controlled by large corporations. Bluesky is developing a decentralized photo-sharing app called Flashes. another photo sharing platform called Pinksky is already launched.
Pixelfed, another rapidly growing platform, is an open-source, decentralized alternative to Instagram. It emphasizes user privacy, chronological feeds, and the absence of advertising. Created in 2018, Pixelfed is part of the “Fediverse”. Users can join existing servers or create their own.
Following a policy change by Meta regarding content moderation, Pixelfed experienced a significant increase in new users. Meta was accused of deleting posts containing links to Pixelfed, though Meta stated this was accidental and has since restored most of the affected posts. Pixelfed recently introduced its mobile app for both iOS and Android.
Cara, an art-specific platform launched in 2022, is gaining popularity among artists. It was developed to address concerns about artificial intelligence models being trained on artists’ work without permission.
Cara prohibits AI-generated content and the use of user-submitted art for AI training. The platform has a tool that aims to mislead AI models.
In the wake of Meta’s policy changes, in June 2024, Cara’s user base grew due a massive new users influx.
While Cara offers some advantages for artists, concerns have been raised about its limited reach.
