Forum vs Social Media UK: Where Are Users Investing Their Time?
The way people engage online is changing. While social media has long dominated digital conversations, forums are quietly making a comeback. More users in the UK are moving away from platforms like Facebook and Instagram in favour of specialist forums where discussions are deeper and engagement feels more meaningful. This shift poses an important question: is the future of online interaction changing?
The Changing Trends in Online Engagement
Over the past decade, social media has been the go-to space for online engagement. However, recent data suggests a shift. A 2023 study by Statista found that UK social media users are spending less time on platforms like Twitter and Facebook compared to five years ago. Instead, communities and niche forums like Reddit and Discord are attracting more engagement.
- Users cite reasons like reduced trust in social media, over-commercialisation, and algorithm fatigue.
- Forums provide a sense of deeper discussions rather than just surface-level interactions.
- Specialist hobby-based communities and professional forums are seeing steady growth.
As attention moves from broader social media trends to more dedicated discussions, brands and businesses need to rethink their online engagement strategies.
Why Forums Are Attracting Users Away from Social Media
Forums are becoming popular for several reasons, particularly among older users and professionals looking for meaningful conversations. Unlike social media feeds filled with ads and influencers, forums offer structured discussions and real community bonding.
Some of the key attractions include:
- Less Noise: The constant barrage of ads, influencers, and suggested content on social media makes it hard to focus. Forums, on the other hand, maintain cleaner discussions limited to relevant topics.
- Better Privacy: Unlike social media, where data mining is common, many forums allow for anonymous participation.
- Depth of Conversation: Users on forums participate in longer, more thoughtful discussions rather than quick, forgettable interactions.
A great example of this shift is enthusiasts of specific hobbies moving to places like Reddit or Quora where they can discuss their interests in detail rather than engaging in fleeting social media posts.
Key Differences: Community Building in Forums vs Social Media
Forums and social media both serve as hubs for discussion but in fundamentally different ways. Here’s how their approach to community building differs:
| Aspect | Forums | Social Media |
|---|---|---|
| Content Longevity | Discussions remain accessible for years | Content disappears in fast-moving feeds |
| Engagement Focus | Answers and discussions prioritised | Likes, shares, and follows dictate popularity |
| Privacy | Users can stay anonymous | Personal profiles are key to interaction |
| Advertising | Minimal or topic-specific sponsorships | Heavy focus on ads and influencer promotions |
This contrast explains why some online users prefer forums for authentic connections rather than interacting with algorithm-driven content.
The Role of Content Quality in User Engagement
The difference in how content is shared on forums vs social media UK platforms plays a massive role in engagement. On social media, engagement is often driven by algorithms, trending posts, and influencer activity. Forums, however, reward users for good contributions through voting systems, detailed replies, and topic moderation.
Factors that shape engagement include:
- Platform structure: Forums keep discussions archived and searchable, whereas social media favours newness.
- Discussion depth: Forums encourage detailed responses, while social media interactions are often short.
- Community rules: Moderators in forums enforce guidelines that ensure quality discussions.
This greater focus on content quality makes forums more attractive to professionals, tech enthusiasts, and people seeking genuine conversations.
How Businesses Are Adapting to the Shift in Digital Interaction
Businesses that once heavily relied on social media marketing are now adapting as engagement patterns shift. Many brands are beginning to build communities around more topic-driven forums instead of relying purely on traditional social media platforms.
For example:
- Brands like Apple run official user forums for support instead of always depending on social media responses.
- Gaming companies use platforms like Discord to build stronger interactive communities.
- Tech and finance brands host expert-driven discussions on platforms like LinkedIn Groups.
By focusing less on social media algorithms and more on genuine, engaged communities, businesses are ensuring they stay ahead in digital engagement.
Will Social Media Platforms Adapt or Decline in the Face of Forum Growth?
With users steadily shifting to forums and specialised discussion spaces, will social media platforms evolve or decline? Some platforms have already recognised the trend:
- Facebook introduced ‘Groups’ to replicate forum-like communities.
- Twitter (now X) has explored long-form content and subscriptions.
- Instagram and TikTok continue focusing on short-video content but risk losing users seeking deeper discussions.
However, social media is deeply tied to advertising revenue. Forums, on the other hand, focus on community-driven discussions rather than pushing paid content. Unless social media platforms find ways to improve deep engagement, they may continue losing users to other digital spaces.
The conversation around forum vs social media UK engagement is evolving.
Do you run an online business or community? Are you looking to increase your engagement? Contact us to explore the best digital strategies for your audience.