13 Different Types Of Social Media Sites (And How To Use Them)
Want to learn more about the different types of social media sites? I’ve got you covered.
Social media is a big word. There are dozens of social media sites, each of which caters to a different audience and use case.
And with so many platforms out there, it can be tough to know which ones to focus on—and how to make the most of them.
That’s why, in this post, I’ve grouped social media sites into 13 different categories to help you make sense of it all.
I’ll explain the difference between each of them and show you when & how you should use them to grow your brand.
Note: Keep in mind that some social media sites fit into more than one category, so you may see some platforms appear more than once in the groups below.
1. Mainstream social networks
Examples: Facebook, X (Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, TikTok
Mainstream social networks are what most people think of when they hear ‘social media sites’—they’re incredibly popular platforms used by billions of people across the world.
Mainstream social networks are built to facilitate social interactions. People use them to stay in touch with their friends, family, and favorite brands.
Facebook is the best example. With over 3 billion users, it’s the most popular social networking site in the world.
Users can connect and communicate by sharing different types of posts (including text, photos, and videos), leaving comments, sending direct messages to one another, forming groups, and more.
Most mainstream social networks also have advertising features, so brands can run targeted ads that appear on users’ feeds.
How to use them
Every brand should have a branded profile/page on all the mainstream social networks—even if you don’t plan to market on them—to ensure a well-rounded social media presence.
Regularly posting engaging content can help you grow your organic audience on each platform and build brand awareness. I’d recommend using a social media scheduling tool like SocialBee to schedule posts to every network ahead of time through a single, unified content calendar.
The top social media platforms are also a great place to run ad campaigns thanks to their broad reach and rich targeting options, particularly Meta platforms like Facebook & Instagram.
They gather a lot of information about their users, which makes it easier to run highly targeted ads that generate a good ROAS (return on ad spend).
You can also use platforms like these to build a community around your brand through community features like Facebook Groups. Plus, provide customer support through direct messaging, updates, etc.
2. Image sharing sites
Examples: Instagram, Pinterest, Flickr, DeviantArt
Image sharing sites are highly visual social media platforms designed specifically for sharing images, like photos and carousels.
Instagram is the best-known example, with over 2 billion users, though it’s not exclusively for sharing images anymore—users can also post other formats like Stories and Reels.
Sites like Pinterest, Flickr, and DeviantArt are exclusively for sharing images, with Flickr specializing in photography and DeviantArt in graphic art.
How to use them
Many users go to image sharing networks for creative inspiration, which makes them a great place for brands to show off their products in their best light and engage in visual storytelling.
They’re also ideal for social commerce.
Most offer some kind of in-app shopping or checkout feature—like Instagram Shopping, Pinterest Shopping, and Snapchat Store—allowing you to sell directly to your social media audience or drive traffic to your store.
3. Video sharing sites
Examples: YouTube, Vimeo, TikTok, Dailymotion, Bilibili, Rumble
Video sharing sites are social media sites dedicated to sharing, watching, and engaging with video content.
As online video consumption continues to rise, these platforms have become essential for both entertainment and marketing.
While most social media sites now support video uploads, platforms like YouTube and TikTok specialize exclusively in video content, making them the dominant players in the space.
There are two main types of video-sharing social media platforms: short-form and long-form.
Short-form platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels focus on quick, engaging clips that users swipe through. They’re usually no more than a few minutes long and appear in a vertical format for easy viewing on mobile.
Long-form platforms like YouTube and Vimeo allow for more in-depth storytelling. They mostly feature videos that are over 10 minutes long and appear in a horizontal format.
Both formats play a crucial role in content marketing strategies, catering to different audience preferences and engagement styles.
How to use them
Video is one of the most effective types of marketing content this year, generating more views, engagements, and conversions than other formats.
This makes video sharing sites an essential marketing channel for brands of all sizes. They’re also a great place for filmmakers, journalists, and content creators to build an audience.
Short-form videos are particularly popular right now and are great for building brand awareness and showcasing your products. You can produce them quickly and cheaply so they can offer a good ROI if you get them right.
Long-form video is best for telling compelling stories and building a strong brand identity.
Remember that video content shouldn’t feel salesy—it should offer real value to the viewer (i.e. entertainment, education, etc.).
Also, keep in mind that the first few seconds of video content are the most important—you need to hook viewers in straight away and keep them watching. And don’t be afraid to get involved in trends that resonate with your target audience to maximize your reach.
4. Microblogging platforms
Examples: Medium, Tumblr, Substack, Twitter, Bluesky, Mastodon, Threads
Microblogging platforms sit somewhere between a traditional blog and a social media site.
They serve as a social space for internet users to share their thoughts, insights, and ideas in a text-based format.
While video content dominates today’s social landscape, text-based platforms remain relevant for those who prefer written communication—and they still hold value in a well-rounded social media strategy.
There are two main types of microblogging platforms: those focused on long-form content, like Medium and Tumblr, and those designed for short-form, Tweet-style text posts, like X (Twitter), Threads, Bluesky, and Mastodon.
Many microblogging platforms also include engagement features such as reblogs/retweets, likes, and comments. So, aside from sharing their own thoughts, users can also chime in on discussions.
How to use them
Microblogging platforms are useful for brands and creators who want to establish themselves as thought leaders in their industry.
Use them to share important business updates and industry insights, engage in conversations to connect with your audience, and build authority through the written content you share.
They can also serve as a customer support channel. For example, many customers reach out to brands with queries and complaints on sites like X (Twitter).
You can use a unified social inbox to respond to customer queries across multiple channels from one hub. Sendible is a good option here or you could opt for SocialBee which has social streams instead of an inbox.
It might also be worth using a social listening tool like Brand24 to keep track of all mentions of your brand on social media sites so you can quickly jump into important conversations.
5. Social messaging apps
Examples: WhatsApp, Snapchat, WeChat, Telegram, Line, Facebook Messenger
Social messaging apps focus on direct communication rather than public content sharing.
They’re primarily used for private messaging, voice and video calls, and group chats. Many also offer advanced messaging features like broadcast messaging, voice notes, conference calls, etc.
WhatsApp is the best-known and most widely-used social messaging app in the world.
However, preferences vary by region—Facebook Messenger dominates in the United States., Line is most popular in Japan, WeChat leads in China, and Telegram has a strong presence in various markets in Eastern Europe.
Some apps even go beyond messaging. WeChat, for example, is a Chinese social messaging app often called a “super app” as it integrates its core messaging service with a wide range of additional features, like mobile payments, social networking, and even gaming.
How to use them
Social messaging apps aren’t just for personal communication—they’re for business communication too.
Brands can use them as a customer service channel to directly connect with customers in real-time, providing support through text, images, audio, and video messages.
Some social messaging apps support chatbots, which can be helpful if you need to field a large volume of queries. For example, you can use them to offer automated responses to common questions so your customer support team has less to deal with.
Aside from customer service, you can also use social messaging apps for marketing. For example, you can share exclusive deals, flash sales, and product updates with your customers.
Plus, most apps now support ads. With WhatsApp Business, you can run click-to-chat ads on Facebook & Instagram that direct users to WhatsApp. Likewise, Snapchat offers Story Ads, Snap Ads, sponsored lenses, etc.
6. Livstreaming platforms
Examples: Twitch, Kick, Rumble, SOOP, CHZK, YouTube LIVE, TikTok LIVE
Livestreaming platforms are social media sites where streamers can broadcast content live and interact with their audience in real-time.
They became much more popular following the pandemic, during which viewership of live content surged.
Twitch is currently the dominant app in the space, especially for gaming, with a higher watch time than any other platform.
However, it’s facing fierce competition from rivals like Kick and YouTube Live.
Livestreaming platforms typically offer a ‘live chat’ feature through which viewers can comment on the broadcast and interact in real-time, with interactive features like polls, chat commands, super chats, and channel points to make the experience more engaging.
Creators typically monetize their live content through ads, viewer donations, and subscriptions. For example, on Twitch, viewers can support their favorite streamers by ‘subscribing’ to their channel in exchange for perks like zero ads, as well as by donating cash or Twitch Bits (the app’s virtual currency).
How to use them
Livestreaming is great for creators and brands that want to build or monetize a community. It fosters deeper connections with audiences and is especially effective for bottom-of-the-funnel marketing.
Brands can use these sites for live events like Q&A sessions, live product launches & demos, behind-the-scenes content, important announcements, etc.
Some livestreaming platforms—like TikTok Live and YouTube Live—also support live shopping, making them useful for direct sales.
Remember that engagement and authenticity are key when it comes to livestreaming. Interact with viewers through chat and focus on genuine interactions rather than scripted sales pitches.
7. Discussion forums
Examples: Reddit, Quora, 4Chan
Discussion forums are social media sites where users engage in in-depth conversations by posting questions, opinions, and insights in threaded discussions.
Unlike mainstream social networks, they focus on long-form, back-and-forth discussions rather than quick, ephemeral posts.
Reddit is probably the most well-known example. It’s a forum-style social network structured around thousands of topic-specific communities (subreddits) where users share ideas and discuss niche interests.
Quora, on the other hand, is more of a Q&A-based platform where users ask and answer questions on a wide range of topics.
How to use them
Discussion forums are another great place for brands to build their authority and credibility while connecting with potential customers in their niche.
However, they’re a little harder to market on effectively as forum users (particularly Redditors) tend to dislike advertisers—and overly promotional content is discouraged.
You’ll need to take a more subtle approach than you might take on mainstream social networks. Avoid being too salesy and instead, focus on authentic, organic interactions.
Participate in relevant discussions, answer questions, and share valuable insights to build connections. Note that some discussion forums, including Reddit, also allow ads for promotional content.
Aside from marketing, discussion forums are also a great place to conduct market research. For example, monitoring discussions in your niche can help you to better understand customer pain points and uncover emerging trends.
8. Professional social networks
Examples: LinkedIn, Behance, Dribbble, Xing, ResearchGate, The Dots
Professional social networks are social media sites designed for career development, recruitment, and professional networking.
Unlike mainstream social media, these platforms focus more on professional growth as opposed to casual social interactions.
LinkedIn is the biggest player in the space. It serves as a hub for job seekers, recruiters, experts, and business professionals to interact. Users can share industry insights, post job listings, and connect with colleagues through direct messages.
Other professional social networks focus on specific niches.
For example, Behance and Dribble cater specifically to creatives, allowing designers, artists, and photographers to showcase their portfolios and attract clients. Likewise, ResearchGate is a social network where academics like scientists and researchers share papers and collaborate.
How to use them
Brands can use professional networks as a powerful recruitment channel to find and hire talent.
You can also use them to establish thought leadership and build authority and credibility in your niche.
For professionals, these platforms help to open up new career opportunities. Use them to find new job opportunities and expand your professional network.
9. Niche social networks
Examples: Goodreads, Letterboxd, Strava, Last.fm, Ravelry, Houzz
Niche social networks are social media sites that cater to very specific hobbies, industries, or interests.
They bring together enthusiasts who share a common passion and offer them a shared space to interact with like-minded individuals.
They tend to be much less popular than mainstream social networks as they don’t have widespread appeal. Instead, they focus on a smaller, more well-defined audience.
For example, Goodreads is a social network for book lovers, where users can track their reading, review books, and join discussions.
Likewise, Letterboxd caters specifically to film buffs, letting users log and review movies they’ve watched in a social environment. Strava is another example: It’s a fitness-focused social network where runners and cyclists track workouts and engage with others in the fitness community.
How to use them
While niche social networks may not have massive user bases like Facebook or X (Twitter), their highly targeted audiences make them incredibly valuable for brands in the right industries.
They offer you the opportunity to connect with a highly targeted audience that is already proven to be passionate about your niche, so every user you reach is a potential customer.
For example, authors can engage with avid readers on Goodreads, fitness brands can connect with passionate athletes on Strava, knitting suppliers can connect with knitting enthusiasts on Ravelry, and a home improvement company can share inspiration on Houzz.
To make the most of niche networks, participate in discussions, share valuable niche content, and collaborate with influencers in the space. Some networks may also offer advertising options.
10. Social bookmarking sites
Examples: Pinterest, Pocket, Mix (formerly StumbleUpon), Feedly
Social bookmarking sites are social networks designed for content curation and discovery around shared interests. People use them to find, save, organize, and share content that they find interesting.
You can think of them kind of like digital libraries. But instead of books, people share and bookmark ideas, photos, articles, and other resources.
Pinterest is the best-known social bookmarking site. Users share ‘Pins’ that others can repin or save to their own pinboard for visual inspiration. Pins can be anything: infographics, photos, graphics, etc.
Other bookmarking sites, like Pocket and Feedly, are used to save articles and news stories for personal reading.
Unlike traditional social media sites, bookmarking sites don’t typically offer direct social interactions. So, you can’t usually send DMs or leave comments.
How to use them
Social bookmarking sites are ideal for driving referral traffic as users often click links on bookmarking sites when they see something they find interesting.
Pinterest is particularly good for this—it drives more referral traffic than most other social media platforms combined.
Brands can share their own content for others to bookmark as a way to generate engagement and drive traffic to their blog posts and product pages (while building some social media backlinks in the process).
Just make sure to optimize your content for discoverability to maximize results. Use high-quality, visually appealing graphics and keyword-rich titles and descriptions.
11. Social shopping apps
Examples: Depop, Vinted, Poshmark, Facebook Marketplace
Social shopping apps blend ecommerce with social networking.
They function as online marketplaces where users can list their own items for sale, discover unique products, and interact with one another.
Facebook Marketplace is probably the most well-known example. Millions of people use it to buy and sell all sorts of products in their local community, from furniture to electronics.
Apps like Poshmark and Depop focus on second-hand fashion, while Vinted specializes in clothing resale.
How to use them
Social shopping apps are a good place for small businesses, resellers, creators, and hobbyists to sell their wares directly to consumers.
Optimize your product listings with high-quality images and keyword-rich descriptions to boost visibility and conversions. You can also try offering limited-time deals.
12. Community platforms
Examples: Discord, Patreon, Slack, Facebook Groups
Community platforms are social media sites where users can create and join private, members-only communities.
They foster deeper engagements than mainstream social networks, making them ideal for brands that want to cultivate a loyal following.
Discord is one of the best-known community platforms. It caters mainly to the gaming community. Users can create public ‘servers’ for specific games/topics and communicate through voice, video, and text chats.
How to use them
Brands can use community platforms to build deeper ties with their audience and strengthen brand loyalty, while creators can use community platforms to monetize their audience through paid memberships.
Offer value to your community members through perks like early access, premium content, etc. to incentivize membership and keep your community engaged.
13. Dating apps
Examples: Tinder, Hinge, Bumble, Grindr.
Dating apps are used to find romantic relationships.
This makes them different from traditional social media apps where the focus is on broad social interactions, but the social element means they nonetheless still fall under the banner of social media sites.
Tinder is the most popular dating app with the broadest audience.
Other dating apps focus on specific audience demographics. For example, Bumble empowers women by requiring them to message first in heterosexual matches, while Grindr is the most popular dating app for the LGBTQ+ community.
How to use them
Dating apps aren’t typically seen as marketing platforms, but they offer unique opportunities for creative brands.
Businesses in industries like nightlife, fashion, and entertainment can leverage dating apps for targeted advertising. For example, bars and restaurants can promote special offers to nearby users.
It’s also possible to promote your brand organically on dating apps through creative campaigns—but you’ll need to think outside the box.
We can look at Netflix for a good example of this. They created a fake Tinder profile to promote the show ‘Black Mirror’.
Users who matched with the profile were met with an automated chat that engaged them in a conversation about love, relationships, and technology—tying into the themes of Black Mirror. And eventually, the conversation led to a promotional message encouraging the user to watch the show.
Final thoughts
That concludes our guide to the 13 types of social media sites and how to use them.
Remember that social media marketing doesn’t mean you have to be active on all of the platforms we’ve looked at.
The key to success is to focus on the sites that align with your marketing goals and audience.
Mainstream networks offer broad reach, while niche and community-driven platforms provide deep engagement. Social commerce, bookmarking, and professional networks also open new avenues to boost your visibility and sales.
By understanding the strengths of each type of social media site, you can build a well-rounded social media marketing strategy that maximizes your reach, engagement, and conversions.
