There actually is one thing on the market for everybody, and it’s on social media someplace. Social media tradition is fed by area of interest communities constructed round particular pursuits.
Get pleasure from winding down with a superb documentary? There’s a subreddit for you. Should you love experimenting together with your skincare routine, there’s a complete ecosystem of Fb teams, subreddits, Discord channels and extra to discover. Area of interest communities like these have grown alongside social media, partially pushed by the rise of micro-influencers and creators.
Micro-influencers and the area of interest communities they’re a part of have develop into tastemakers in sure subcultures and industries, creating dialog and boosting virality of traits on social.
Smaller creators within the vary of 10,000 to 100,000 followers are inclined to work together extra with their followers, creating energetic communities that foster actual relationships their audiences deeply worth. Manufacturers can faucet the ability of those creators’ extremely engaged, area of interest audiences to extend consciousness and loyalty.
By listening to and interesting with area of interest communities, manufacturers also can keep culturally related and preserve a pulse on their viewers.
What’s a distinct segment neighborhood?
A distinct segment neighborhood is a bunch targeted on a particular demographic, curiosity or objective. Individuals who think about themselves a part of a distinct segment neighborhood sometimes share an ethos or ardour that ties them to different members of the house, even when they differ drastically in different elements of their lives.
A distinct segment group could also be formally organized and have construction or necessities for membership, or be a extra casual gathering for interplay. Area of interest communities on social media are typically of the casual selection, popping up in hashtags, remark sections, Reddit threads, Fb teams and different social media dialog instruments.
Listening to and interacting with these focused communities is the idea for a distinct segment advertising technique. For manufacturers, this advertising method usually seems like influencer partnerships, social and neighborhood groups interacting in/internet hosting area of interest areas, or extremely focused social promoting.
Why manufacturers want to have interaction with area of interest communities
Throughout SXSW 2025, one of many key takeaways influencer/Sprout accomplice Lia Haberman walked away with was that it’s all concerning the area of interest. Particularly, area of interest communities and creators are the advertising energy strikes that may get manufacturers nearer to the authenticity and cultural relevance their audiences crave.
Partaking with area of interest communities requires cultural fluency of their pursuits and the way they work together. Social listening, analysis, monitoring and partnering with influencers will assist you study concerning the neighborhood behaviors and inform the right way to authentically have interaction with them.
Dr. Regina Moore, one of many founders of Girls’s Private Finance, a distinct segment monetary schooling neighborhood for ladies and nonbinary of us, says manufacturers ought to remember that “we’re right here specializing in one thing we actually care about.” Micro-influencers are sometimes stewards of area of interest communities, a task they respect in relation to permitting manufacturers into the house.
“These of us who’re specializing in high quality over amount are going to take the varieties of partnerships we have interaction in very significantly,” Dr. Moore says.
Manufacturers ought to method area of interest communities and influencer partnerships thoughtfully and with flexibility. Accomplished effectively, area of interest advertising presents a number of advantages that may increase your general social advertising technique, together with:
Deepen model loyalty
Partaking with area of interest communities can foster stronger relationships with prospects in an area the place they really feel valued. When your prospects see your model actively and authentically collaborating of their neighborhood, they really feel valued quite than simply one other sale for your corporation. This will increase loyalty over time, turning your viewers into model advocates. These loyal advocates can create sturdy word-of-mouth suggestions, increasing your buyer base additional.
Entry focused audiences
You understand your services aren’t for each single particular person on the market. With area of interest communities, you may get entry to audiences that suit your excellent buyer profiles and even uncover new markets.
Connecting with such focused audiences can improve engagement and supply sturdy social media intelligence you received’t discover elsewhere. Micro and nano-influencers might be particularly highly effective partnerships right here by giving your model a foot within the door.
Construct authority and experience
Changing into a thought chief in your business means you’re a voice of authority within the house. Being the supply folks flip to for experience on particular subjects solidifies model belief and advantages your backside line in the long run.
Whether or not by way of your government group or by way of your model, collaborating in area of interest communities reveals your friends and prospects that you simply actually know the house and are welcomed by insiders.
Enhance cultural fluency
Spending time in area of interest communities provides your model probabilities to each pay attention and take part in dialogue. Practically all shoppers surveyed in The Sprout Social IndexTM agree they need manufacturers to grasp on-line tradition even when they don’t take part.
Listening and watching conversations in area of interest areas is among the finest methods to get that understanding, do trendspotting and uncover the “why” of what’s well-liked. Social media is a loud world, and micro communities can supply a filtered, in-depth have a look at what your prospects are pondering and feeling.
What’s going viral throughout social media networks generally begins in smaller, area of interest areas. Micro and nano-influencers steadily play a task in bringing burgeoning traits from their area of interest circles to different platforms. For extra on how social media impacts tradition, obtain our influencer advertising report.
Examples of manufacturers in area of interest communities
As area of interest communities thrive on each main (Instagram, TikTok) and decentralized networks (Discord, Mastadon), there are lots of alternatives for manufacturers to attach with these audiences.
UK-based Dr. Martens has lengthy been related to a number of subcultures, notably round music. Whereas they’ve partnered with well-liked worldwide artists on campaigns, the model additionally is aware of the worth of working with up and comers.
Dr. Martens partnered with singer Cariss Auburn on the #TeamUpOnTheTrack marketing campaign to supply user-generated content material that includes followers within the model’s iconic boots. The UGC was used as new visuals for Auburn’s music “Daydream.”
Auburn created a number of viral movies inside her area of interest on TikTok, giving Dr. Martens an opportunity to faucet her rising fan base and the impartial artist neighborhood.
Manufacturers also can construct area of interest communities on their owned channels. Sephora constructed a neighborhood on their social-style platform, Magnificence Insider Neighborhood. It lets customers get recommendation from one another and be part of much more particular teams throughout the area of interest make-up house.
The neighborhood options boards, content material from influencers, galleries and aggressive challenges, serving to construct a tradition round their model and strengthen loyalty.
Reddit is stuffed with subreddits associated to vitality drink heavyweight Purple Bull, particularly about its associated sports activities empire. Purple Bull posts each day beneath the username u/redbullgivesyouwings in area of interest sports activities communities for actions like BMX and skateboarding, sharing movies of athletic feats. This helps them be a part of the dialog and preserve it going.
Area of interest TikTok communities
Subcultures and micro-communities thrive on TikTok, the place viral traits rapidly acquire traction and spill over to different platforms. Hashtags usually connect “Tok” to a subject to make trying to find what you like simple. Listed below are some well-liked area of interest pursuits on the community.
BookTok
From romantasy to thrillers, studying is a beloved pastime for the BookTok neighborhood. Authors and readers alike talk about new releases, favorites and sometimes best-seller listing controversies.
BookTok’s passionate neighborhood has develop into influential exterior of TikTok, serving to authors increase gross sales and even reviving bookstores. The neighborhood additionally loves to point out off styled bookshelves, so whereas the neighborhood is centered round books, it naturally ties into different pursuits that manufacturers throughout industries can faucet into.
HealthTok
These involved in health, diet and wellness will discover a dwelling on HealthTok. Private trainers, dieticians, dermatologists and extra have develop into influencers on this area of interest, utilizing TikTok to share bite-sized well being ideas and information.
Although there are some considerations round well being misinformation gaining visibility, docs and different medical professionals are gaining presence within the house. This provides manufacturers a method to join straight with shoppers to assist educate and fight misinformation by way of trusted, skilled specialists. An necessary alternative, given the Index discovered that 93% of shoppers assume manufacturers have to fight misinformation greater than they’re right now.
FinTok
Individuals are taking cost of their monetary future on FinTok, studying from influencers about retirement plans, shares and budgeting. The #PersonalFinance hashtag on TikTok has effectively over 4 billion views. Customers on this area of interest neighborhood share cash ideas which have labored for them, collectively navigating the trail to monetary freedom. Manufacturers have the chance to assist monetary literacy efforts within the house, in addition to supply merchandise, apps and providers they might have that assist shoppers funds and handle their cash higher.
CleanTok
Who knew watching others clear and arrange their areas could possibly be so…zen? CleanTok options movies of on a regular basis folks cleansing their houses, rooms, automobiles and extra. The movies usually function colourful merchandise and ASMR-style sounds all through. The pattern has grown to extra area of interest areas, like cemetery gravestone cleansing.
CleanTok is prime for model partnerships, even exterior the apparent cleansing product tie-ins. Cellular sport developer HOMA created “Clear It,” a sport primarily based on the #CleanTok pattern to succeed in customers who benefit from the calm of cleansing in a brand new method.
BeautyTok
Magnificence influencers surged in recognition on YouTube and made their method to different channels together with TikTok through the years, forming the inspiration for area of interest magnificence, make-up and skincare communities.
It’s not simply the mega well-liked, minor celebrities with a presence right here. Micro-influencers abound, posting “prepare with me” movies, product opinions and dupes, and private magnificence ideas and secrets and techniques.
Person-generated content material is a powerful alternative for manufacturers on this house. Showcasing your merchandise by way of relatable content material might help your model converse on to your viewers’s wants.
TravelTok
This explicit area of interest neighborhood is each aspirational and sensible. Some well-liked movies function influencers touring to stunning locations, sampling costly delicacies and offering bucket listing inspo.
Different elements of the neighborhood supply journey ideas and recommendation, usually for hyper-niche areas or varieties of vacationers. One instance is the account PlusSizeParkHoppers, a bunch of Disney theme park-loving buddies who present accessibility perception for rides, eating places and motels.
The sort of practical, relatable journey content material has helped vacationers discover hidden gems that standard journey guides don’t embody. Locations that go viral on TravelTok have seen boosts in attendance, attracting international audiences that will not have identified about them earlier than.
Area of interest Reddit communities
Reddit is a community of hundreds of thousands of subreddits aka particular person boards and threads for particular subjects. Customers are typically extra nameless on Reddit than on different platforms, permitting them to have interaction with area of interest pursuits and subjects in methods they may not by way of their social networks. Sonos’ Social Media Program Lead, Keith Nieves, says the key to model success on Reddit is to recollect two key guidelines: Be a real human, and be in service of the neighborhood.
“Consider the subreddit as a espresso store or pub. Nobody walks from desk to desk, shaking arms asking how they might help, and inserting themselves in conversations,” he explains. “Chill. Be obtainable. Be useful. Give the neighborhood house, however don’t be afraid to have interaction. Particularly when you can knock it out of the park.”
Let’s check out a few of Reddit’s hottest niches.
Private finance subreddits
There are millions of subreddits throughout the private finance house the place customers come collectively to share concepts, study—and perhaps even get wealthy within the course of. Totally different niches embody private finance administration (r/personalfiance, r/moneydiariesactive, r/bogleheads, r/monetary planning); frugal existence (r/frugalliving, r/bduge); cryptocurrency (r/cyrptocurrency, r/cyrptomarkets) and particular person finance subjects (r/CreditCards, r/WallStreetBets, r/Banking, r/PassiveIncome).
Some finance associated subreddits have impacted actual world eventualities, together with r/WallStreetBets’ notorious tremendous increase of GameStop inventory.
Tech subreddits
From devices to careers, techies are discussing all of it on Reddit. Niches embody cybersecurity (r/cybersecurity, r/Information_Security, r/AskNetSec); shopper electronics (r/consumerelectronics and influencer subreddits like Marques Brownlee’s r/mkbhd); computing (r/Linux, r/computing and model associated boards like r/Apple and r/home windows); and cellphones (r/Androind, r/ios, r/nokia). Threads on these subreddits vary from product opinions (and critique) to philosophical dialogue concerning the affect of know-how on society.
Redditors within the tech area of interest areas are typically passionate early adopters of latest know-how and instruments, making these subreddits a helpful place to pay attention for product suggestions. Nieves used the Sonos unofficial subreddit to assist quell backlash after an app redesign that was not effectively acquired. The neighborhood revered Nieves previous to the occasion, and the neighborhood constructing efforts of Sonos paid off when it was wanted most.
“Typically talking, folks go to Reddit to have interaction with different folks, not manufacturers or companies,” Nieves says. “This makes it a gold mine for social listening and for locating the appropriate conditions the place you (as a model ambassador) can present useful perception or perspective with a wholesome dose of affect and validity.”
Sports activities subreddits
Whether or not an athlete themselves or simply somebody with a love of the sport, Redditors have created area of interest areas for sports activities, groups, native leagues and extra. There are niches for all sorts of athletic actions (r/biking, r/climbing, r/ fishing); followers of basic sports activities (r/boxing, r/soccer, r/baseball, r/basketball); followers {of professional} leagues (r/NFL and r/NBA); and even hyper-niche choices (r/darts, r/ultimatewrestling, r/billiards). Sports activities communities on Reddit additionally embody betting and gaming round skilled leagues.
The recognition of the r/NFL subreddit and associated ones round particular person groups led to an official partnership with Genius Sports activities, the place real-time sport stats are added to related subreddits to encourage customers to maintain collaborating on-line whereas watching the sport.
Area of interest way of life communities
Area of interest communities usually develop throughout channels, with customers discovering one another in a number of areas. That is notably true of way of life communities.
Well being and wellness communities
The niches throughout the well being and wellness world are huge. Throughout TikTok, Instagram, Reddit and extra, communities are constructed round train, well being merchandise, self-care and extra. Many of those communities operate as a secure house for customers, notably round contentious subjects like physique picture. Recognizing that’s key to genuine influencer advertising within the well being and wellness house.
Lindsey Yeom, a private coach and micro-influencer, says well being and wellness communities on social media have helped change some poisonous well being cultures. “I keep in mind after I was youthful, health for ladies was tailor-made to 1 objective: be as skinny as potential,” she says. “However now on social media, you could find area of interest communities round more healthy methods of turning into match, like weight coaching, powerlifting, yoga and diet that strikes away from weight loss plan tradition.”
Yeom sees on-line area of interest well being communities as a major place for firms to take their model partnerships past social media. “In case you are working with an influencer, ask if there are native occasions they’re internet hosting the place you’ll be able to come out, assist the neighborhood and supply merchandise or samples.” In a sensible instance, Yeom lately partnered with a neighborhood gymnasium model to host an in-person diet workshop.
Journey communities
Area of interest journey communities are a contemporary traveler’s guidebook, connecting vacationers by way of social media communities for journey planning recommendation and perception into native experiences.
Communities like r/TravelHacks on Reddit assist vacationers lower your expenses, and teams like The Solo Feminine Traveler on Fb cowl ideas for these selecting to see the world as a celebration of 1.
Reddit’s partnership with Google means vacationers searching for concepts and perception are sometimes funneled proper to area of interest subreddits. Manufacturers like motels, airways and extra can profit from monitoring and collaborating in these conversations to higher perceive and tailor their buyer providers to vacationers.
Style communities
Style is part of id, with sure fashions signifying “membership” in particular teams. Social media communities are one other method for trendsetters and classic rebels to seek out one another, bonding over creating outfits and discovering the right items.
Area of interest vogue communities on TikTok, Fb, Instagram and Reddit function marketplaces and dialogue boards for lovers of high fashion, thrifted fashion and subcultures like punk. These communities see sturdy engagement: On TikTok alone, vogue content material has a 2.26% common engagement charge.
Platforms like Poshmark play a task, too, serving to customers in these areas purchase and promote used objects. Poshmark’s platform incorporates social parts of its personal, giving vogue communities an area to share movies of their listed objects, comply with one another and touch upon choices.
Private finance communities
Reddit is legion for private finance area of interest communities, however influential private finance areas additionally thrive on different networks.
Crypto on X
X is dwelling to many well-liked cryptocurrency accounts that customers flip to for experience on mining, buying and selling and promoting.
Neighborhood interplay occurs in thread replies and Areas, X’s reside audio platform. Followers of this area of interest business preserve monitor of accounts like @Brian_Armstrong (Coinbase founder) and @CathieDWood (ArkInvest founder).
Discussions about crypto on X can, and have, straight impacted the crypto market. For instance, when former Securities and Alternate Fee chairman Gary Gensler stepped down, he made the announcement on X. Bitcoin costs rose within the following days because the neighborhood anticipated a extra crypto-friendly alternative.
Girls’s private finance communities
Curiosity in monetary recommendation geared particularly towards ladies has grown considerably lately, and area of interest communities across the subject exist on practically each platform. Dr. Regina Moore and co-founder Angela Rozmyn’s Girls’s Private Finance (WPF) group initially lived on Fb, with over 80,000 members however has advanced.
In 2020, WPF had grown massive sufficient that Dr. Moore and Rozmyn noticed a chance to maneuver past Fb. Their WPF Insiders Discord launched in 2021 (which Dr. Moore notes is their “most engaged” house) and the Woven neighborhood was launched on Mighty Networks in 2023.
Area of interest communities are cultivated areas tied to the values and pursuits of the group. How they present up on-line will naturally evolve as behaviors change. Manufacturers that try and step right into a partnership with a distinct segment neighborhood with out understanding that received’t fare effectively.
For instance, the WPF neighborhood is anti-fast vogue and engages in massive image discussions round consumerism. “You’ll by no means see us partnering with a drop ship vogue firm that pumps out 1000’s of kinds of plastic clothes a month,” Dr. Moore says. “Should you’re reaching out, we need to know why we stood out to you, what it’s about us that resonates with you as a model.”
Gamer communities
Video video games have come a great distance for the reason that authentic Nintendo techniques, with folks of all ages gaming collectively and solo in a plethora of genres. There’s massive cash and doubtlessly massive affect in gaming, each for manufacturers and influencers.
Alisha Ether, who goes by the deal with LeeshCapeesh, says the gaming neighborhood has “immensely” impacted traits and tradition. “Trendy celebrities are shifting over to streaming video games or ‘simply chatting’ content material on the facet, and this pattern has considerably elevated,” she says. “We’re even seeing streamers like Kai Cenat and IShowSpeed going to main occasions—dare I say that streamers are the brand new celebrities?”
Area of interest gaming communities have loads of alternative past the apparent. “Streamers drink water, put on garments, put on glasses, use paper towels/rest room tissue, and many others.,” Ether explains. “There are a lot of merchandise that we use in our each day lives that will also be promoted on stream, and so they don’t should align with gaming.”
Listed below are three main locations you could find gaming communities in quite a lot of niches.
Twitch
Twitch, considered one of Ether’s fundamental platforms, is a livestreaming device that lets folks present video of themselves and a sport they’re taking part in concurrently.
It features a reside chat performance so viewers can join with the streamer and different followers. The interactivity is a large draw for each streamers and followers, particularly smaller creators who can maintain an actual time dialog with their viewers.
Area of interest communities exist round particular varieties of video games like horror (considered one of Ether’s specialties) or sports activities in addition to particular person streamers themselves.
“Manufacturers usually method me with the identical previous tweet and two-hour stream combo that has develop into business normal—it will profit manufacturers to permit the influencer to have a bit extra say in the right way to have interaction their neighborhood successfully,” Ether says. When she collaborated with e.l.f. Cosmetics, they co-created content material that Ether knew would resonate along with her viewers. Ether’s “prepare with me” fashion video showcased the model’s Recreation Up Assortment and expanded attain with a #BeautyTok crossover.
YouTube Let’s Play and streaming
YouTube additionally presents a livestreaming possibility for players, however viewers and commenters are sometimes drawn to non-live video content material from their favourite creators.
Let’s Play is a well-liked class on YouTube, that includes main influencers like Markiplier and Jacksepticeye (and micro-influencers) sharing their experiences and ideas whereas taking part in well-liked and impartial video games.
For manufacturers, partnering with content material creators on YouTube can open up new product potentialities. The 5 Nights at Freddy’s online game franchise finally expanded to a collection of books and movies because of its recognition as a Let’s Play sport.
Discord teams
Streamers on Twitch or YouTube usually have an related Discord account, as do sport studios. On this house, the neighborhood connects between streams, discusses associated subjects or performs video games with one another by way of Discord’s reside chat function. Discord teams are an ideal container for getting a pulse on what players take pleasure in and what’s necessary to them.
For gaming studios, these areas additionally facilitate troubleshooting and bug fixes, in addition to replace bulletins. Indie sport studio Supergiant Video games makes use of their Discord for neighborhood constructing and accumulating sport suggestions.
The long run is area of interest
Area of interest communities will proceed to evolve and improve their affect on-line and off. They’re even turning into extra area of interest. Hyper-niche communities are rising, additional specializing within the passions and subjects they heart on.
These areas will proceed to drive tradition as area of interest influencers take their content material throughout platforms and into IRL activations. For a deeper have a look at how social media tradition is evolving and impacting how manufacturers present up on social, obtain The 2025 Sprout Social IndexTM.
