Has anyone else noticed small online communities feel more alive than big platforms lately?
I have been spending less time on the major social apps lately because everything started feeling optimized for engagement instead of actual interaction. Every feed feels the same after a while.
A few weeks ago I started exploring smaller community driven platforms and honestly the conversations feel way more human. One of the ones I randomly found was FolkRealm. It reminded me of the older internet where people posted because they genuinely cared about niche interests instead of chasing visibility.
What surprised me most is how much easier it is to stay engaged when the community is smaller and focused. On larger platforms I scroll endlessly and forget everything five minutes later. On smaller spaces I actually remember people and ongoing discussions.
Curious if other builders here think smaller communities are becoming more valuable again or if this is just nostalgia hitting me.