we believe that today’s environment is an ideal launching ground for the next group of billion-dollar consumer companies: vertical social networks.

with growing fatigue around swiping and liking static content, many users are looking for more curated and meaningful connections and digital experiences based on their online and offline interests.

New social networks should enable users to share content that they can’t post elsewhere, which is where vertical-focused platforms can shine!

Even if a platform isn’t the first or only place to post a certain type of content, it may win by providing the best tools.

Give them a way to enhance their status within their existing network.

Even for platforms that don’t target Gen Zers, the chance to build a following (either personally or professionally) is often a strong incentive to join a new network.

It holds all the important data related to your profile and interactions within the community. This encourages frequent engagement on the platform, and also makes it harder to churn.

New devices often expand the amount of time and the ways in which we can be “present” on social products, creating an opportunity for new networks.

New devices or step changes in functionality can also enable new types of content, which can be the launching point for a new social network. AR filters were arguably a big part of Snap’s success, especially as it expanded outside the initial user base of high school students.

YouTube has to serve all types of content, there is a significant opportunity to “unbundle” it by building products with killer features for specific categories