How Faves Is Building the Future of Content Curation: Kudos, leaderboards, QOMs

How Faves Is Building the Future of Content Curation: Kudos, leaderboards, QOMs

In a world where messaging and link sharing are the most common user behaviors, it's surprising that there is no dedicated platform for content curation. This dilemma creates a chicken and egg situation - there's no content because there are no viewers, and there are no viewers because there is no content. Recognizing this gap, Faves set out to build a platform that caters to people who care about what they consume.

Faves understands that people are influenced by content recommendations from two groups of people: those they admire and their friends. By targeting both of these groups, Faves aims to create a community-driven platform where users can discover and share their favorite content. In April 2021, Faves launched as an invite-only product to gain valuable insights from its early users and improve the overall experience as it scales up. They handpicked the first 100 curators and gradually began opening the app to 20-50 users a day.

One of the reasons Faves has seen such high user activity is because the barrier to curate is low. Unlike creating TikTok videos, which can be intimidating for some, curating content is easy and accessible to anyone. This ease of use has encouraged people to post frequently, contributing to the growth of the Faves platform.

Similarly, Strava, a fitness app, experienced tremendous success by targeting avid cyclists and building a community of like-minded individuals. In 2006, Strava introduced the concept of a social network for athletes, encompassing anyone who takes fitness seriously. With the advancements in technology, people could now carry GPS devices and lightweight heart monitors, allowing them to track their activities more accurately.

Strava initially focused on attracting avid cyclists, offering them a competitive element through leaderboards that ranked individuals based on their performance on specific routes. This concept was not entirely new, as it drew inspiration from online gaming leaderboards. However, what made Strava unique was its connection to real-world physical activity. By combining the competitive appeal of segments with a community of like-minded individuals who understood the triumphs and challenges of their fellow athletes, Strava created a powerful platform.

The first user of Strava was David Belden, a cyclist from California who still actively uses the platform today. In 2019 alone, he covered an impressive 1,455.8 miles and climbed nearly 40,000 meters. Initially, the majority of Strava's users were male cyclists, similar to Belden. Even today, men make up 75% of Strava's user base, with cycling being their preferred activity. However, the platform has seen an increase in female users, particularly in the running community.

Strava's success lies not only in the competitive nature of its segments but also in the sense of community it fosters. Athletes on Strava have started using their routes to create performance art, turning their tracked activities into images or messages on the map. Moreover, Strava encourages users to track their friends and peers, fostering a supportive environment that motivates individuals to push themselves further and faster.

Interestingly, over 80% of Strava's users are located outside the United States, with Brazil emerging as its second-largest market after the US. Brazil's social nature and love for sports make it an ideal society for Strava to thrive in. Additionally, the platform is gaining popularity in the rest of Europe and Japan, where it now has a country representative. Each region showcases unique preferences, with the French showing equal interest in running and cycling, while Germans lean more towards biking.

Strava faces various options for monetization, such as transitioning to a subscription-only service, seeking acquisition, selling user data to advertisers, or expanding its current data offerings. The company recognizes that its currency is not only effort but also goodwill. Building and maintaining a positive community is crucial for Strava's continued success.

In conclusion, both Faves and Strava have tapped into the power of community-led growth. By targeting specific groups and catering to their needs, these platforms have successfully built engaged communities around content curation and fitness tracking, respectively. Here are three actionable pieces of advice for any platform looking to build a community-driven user base:

1. Identify and cater to niche interests: Faves and Strava recognized the importance of targeting specific groups of individuals who share common interests. By understanding the needs and preferences of these niche communities, platforms can provide tailored experiences that resonate with their users.

2. Foster a sense of community: Building a supportive and inclusive environment is crucial for community-driven platforms. Encouraging interaction, providing opportunities for users to connect with one another, and celebrating achievements can go a long way in fostering a strong community spirit.

3. Keep the barrier to entry low: Making it easy for users to contribute and participate is essential for driving engagement. By minimizing the barriers to entry, platforms can encourage users to actively participate and share their content or activities without feeling overwhelmed or intimidated.

By implementing these strategies and staying attuned to the needs of their users, platforms can pave the way for the future of content curation and community-driven experiences.