There are two aspects of the internet that have revolutionized life as we knew it. First, the ability to access information on just about anything, from just about any source. Second, the ability to connect with people around the world at the drop of a dime. Viewed in this way, we have the world’s knowledge at our fingertips—and a community to discuss it all with.
When looking at the world’s largest online communities, the obvious winner is eSports. Globally, eSports has an audience of over half a billion members who follow a specific league, team, or player. According to dotesports, China’s eSports industry alone is worth over $100 billion—and that number will only grow in the coming years.
But not all online communities are part of a multi-billion-dollar industry. While they aren’t scraping for pennies, the online communities below were formed with a specific hobby in mind—and a desire to connect with others on that topic, whether in the form of a competition or simply a bubbly chat room.
Online Casinos
Back in the 1990s, when the internet was still in its infancy, one of the earliest platforms successfully launched online was a poker site. Since then, websites like PokerStars Casino have branched out to include a full suite of traditional casino games, from roulette to slots.
The World Poker Tour estimates there are over 100 million active poker players worldwide. However, gaming statistics from around the world put the total number of casino players at around 1.6 billion per year. Keep in mind that this statistic covers how many people player a casino game, casual or serious, per year. Still, it blows eSports figures out of the water.
Book Reviews
Before digital gaming steered entertainment in a new direction, many hobbyists stuck to books. Whether interested in ancient texts, non-fiction self-help, or YA vampire academy novels, there’s a book that fits any interest. And there’s also a one-stop-shop for all readers: Goodreads.
The Goodreads platform lets users follow reviewers they like, authors they like, and even sign up for book giveaways from authors great and small. With an extensive social aspect, the website also functions partly as a forum where readers can discuss their favorite books and which ones they DNFed.
Genealogy
The genealogy craze began in the early 2000s when scientific advancements allowed more average people to test their DNA to trace their ancestry. The activity became popular in countries where residents are exogenous, such as the US and Canada, and had lost touch with their ancestral roots.
Since then, companies like Ancestry and 23andMe have taken off. While many hobbyists stick to testing their DNA, many more are interested in finding records that can point them back to names, dates, and other details of their direct ancestors. There’s a huge online community where at-home researchers can collaborate to track down things like birth records and death certificates—all from the comfort of their home.
Diet & Exercise
Many people join a gym or a workout group in search of some form of accountability. The idea is that, by building a community, others will help push you to keep up with diet and exercise routines. For convenience, many stick to online forums to connect with others looking to evolve their physical fitness.
Today, there are even wearable devices that come with a community attached. Fitbit was one of the first fitness wearables that empowered people to spearhead their own workouts. Today, the Fitbit Community consists of over one million active users, who hash it out in forums on diet, exercise, tips, and other health advice.
Dog-Lovers
Pets bring out the fanatic in all of us—worldwide. Whether looking for information on pet care, advice from other dog parents, or even tips on training or grooming, there are dozens of websites that bring together pet lovers. Specifically, dog lovers will have the most options.
The UK’s largest private forum is the Pet Forums Community. The focus is on dogs, but readers can find chats on just about any animal. The idea is to bring pet lovers and experts together in one stop. Others, like the Petful Dog Forum, focus instead on smaller topics, like the week’s top Amazon products for dogs or pet-safe homecooked recipes.
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