The February 2016 social media trends reveal a change in the way that consumers are using social platforms. Not only are consumers exploring more niche social networks, but they are also engaging with the kinds of advertisements that are becoming increasingly common on different platforms.
While larger platforms such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter remain popular among users, there is also a growing interest in niche social networks. Unlike mainstream platforms, these targeted social networks provide a more intimate space for like-minded individuals to connect. Some of these niche social platforms include fitness-focused photo apps, sports commentary platforms and female friend-finding networks.
Another major theme apparent among the February 2016 social media trends is the use of social platforms as an advertising tool. For example, athletic dress shirt brand Mizzen + Main used social media endorsements to grow the fan base for its products. Even bigger brands such as McDonald's have turned to platforms such as Instagram to advertise seasonal offerings and increase brand engagement.
Top 50 Social Media Ideas in February
From Live Podcasting Apps to Sports Commentary Platforms:
Katherine Pendrill — Feb 28, 2016 — Social Media
50
Female Friend-Finding Apps
The 'Hey! VINA' App Helps Women Expand Their Social Circle
49
Festive Fast Food Illustrations
McDonald's Organzied a Creative Instagram Feed for Christmas
48
Mobile Video-Editing Apps
The 'Vizmato' App Was Unveiled at CES 2016
47
Hilariously Photoshopped Model Shots
Kirby Jenner Includes Himself in Kendall's Fabulous Life
46
Underwater Social Adventures
Oris' Social Media Experience Takes Instagram Users Underwater
45
Athlete-Approved Shirt Campaigns
Mizzen + Main Uses Athlete Endorsements Instead of Big-Budget Ads
44
Sleep-Focused Social Accounts
This Bed Inspiration Instagram is Full of Alluring Sleepy Images
43
Convenient Cannabis Service Apps
Blazenow is a New App That Helps Users Find Dispensaries
42
Elderly Roommate-Finding Platforms
Room2Care is a Miami Sharing Economy Service for Eldercare
41
Competitor Selfie Apps
The Microsoft Selfie App is Developed for iOS Devices Instead of Windows
40
Slimmed-Down Chat Apps
The Peach Chat App Focuses On the Bare Chatting Essentials
39
Video Storytelling Apps
Andrew Jarecki's KnowMe App was Inspired by a Murderous Docu-Series
38
Relationship-Tracking Apps
The 'Tigli' App Helps Users Maintain Relationships Over Time
37
Exclusive Influencer Apps
Celebrities are Helping to Boost Twitter Moments with New Social Tools
36
Dating App Catwalk Livestreams
J.W.Anderson Will Livestream Its F/W 2016 Fashion Show on Grindr
35
Edible Social Media Logos
These Homemade Brownies are Transformed into the Instagram Logo
34
Online Job Profile Guides
This Infographic Shares Tips on Creating an Attractive LinkedIn Account
33
Social Media Font Generators
The Type to Design Creates Text Using Letter Posts from Instagram
32
Incognito Messaging Apps
The Blindspot App's Investors Include Nicki Minaj and Will.i.am
31
Connected Personal Shopping Services
This Service Recreates the Social Shopping Experience
30
Fitness-Focused Photo Apps
The 'GymSelfie' App Helps Consumers Visually Track Their Progress
29
Humorous Six-Second Commercials
These Six-Second Ads for Trident Feature Popular Vine Stars
28
Teen Festival Communities
The DigiTour Fan Club Shares Social Media and Music Festival Updates
27
Newsfeed-Free Social Networks
This New Social Media App Offers a Unique Way for Friends to Connect
26
Parking Spot-Locating Apps
JustPark is the Best Way to Find a Vacant Parking Spot in Europe
25
Personalized Digital Gift Wrap
The Burberry WeChat Account Was Launched Ahead of Lunar New Year
24
Dog Vacation-Planning Apps
DogVacay is a Platform for Canine Owners to Find Pet-Sitters
23
Digital Pop Star Communities
The Bieber Fever Fan Club is a Place for Beliebers to Connect Online
22
Video Clip-Sharing Apps
The Yarn App Moves Beyond Gifs to React With TV, Film & Music Video CLips
21
Dispensary-Connecting Platforms
GreenRush is a Mobile Platform Connecting Patients to Dispensaries
20
Safe Space Social Networks
Tutlub is a Nigerian-Based Platform Serving as a Safe Space for Muslims
19
Location-Based Photo Apps
IceCream's App Now Lets Users Discover Photos on Their Friends' Phones
18
Statistical Liking Apps
The BestBuddies Platform Shares Who the User's Top Instagram Likers Are
17
Roommate-Finding Platforms
The 'NestMates' App Makes It Easier to Find Compatible Roommates
16
Social Accountability Apps
Partners in Grind is a Matchmaking Platform for Self-Improvement
15
Inclusive Presidential Social Accounts
The White House Officially Launched its Own Snapchat Story
14
Pop Punk Fan Clubs
The All Time Low Fan Club Refers to Members as "Hustlers"
13
Sports Commentary Platforms
The 'Facebook Sports Stadium' Application Helps Fans Connect
12
Grandma-Centered Social Networks
The GaGa Sisterhood is a Community Social Network for Grandmas
11
Newsfeed-Bundling Apps
This App Bundles Different Social Media Feeds into One Central Hub
10
Livestreamed City Tours
'Play Melbourne Live' Provides a Peek at the City Through Periscope
9
Conversational Sports Platforms
Facebook's Sports Stadium Lets Users Discuss Athletic Games
8
Temporary Photo-Sharing Apps
The Upshot App Allows Users to Share Photos from Different Events
7
Shoppable Comedic TV Episodes
Bravo Launched 'The Lookbook' with 'Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce'
6
Early Countdown Streaming Services
Netflix Offers an Advance New Year's Eve Countdown for Kids
5
Budget Baking Videos
This Shaquille O’Neal Celebrity Campaign Raises Money for Toys for Tots
4
Live Podcasting Apps
The ZCast App Lets Listeners & Followers Interact With Podcasts in Real Time
3
Charitable Video Features
YouTube is Introducing Donation Cards so Creators Can Give Back
2
Sporty Rapper Talk Shows
Adidas and Snoop Dogg Teamed Up to Create 'Coach Snoop's Turf'd Up'
1
Charitable Vertical Videos
'Donate the Bars' Makes Good Use of the Black Bars on a Video
Related Ideas
Connection Platform Experiences
Facebook Debuts at Stagecoach to Target Younger Audiences
Private Memory Archiving
Lifenote Helps You Preserve Personal Memories Without Social Media
Group-Centric Social Media Platforms
Chatter Social Has Unveiled Its Version 2 Platform
Social Media-Inspired Retail Apps
Depop Outfits Lets Users Create Moodboards and Collages
Real-Life Mood-Board Transformations
Pinterest Launches the 'Bring My Pinterest to Life' Series
AI Sports Research Platforms
Ten Toes Launched Its Ten Beat Sports Fan AI Intelligence Platform
Live Social Shopping Expansions
QVC® Announces New Brands That Will Join Its Roster in 2026
Immersive Video Shopping Experiences
ASOS Live Blends Creator-Led Content with Real-Time Shopping
Cross-Industry Insight Networks
The Think Party Explores the Future of Socialization
Cross-Platform Aggregator Apps
Flipboard Surf Aggregates Social Media, And More For Browsing
Creator-Focused Monetization Platforms
Headquarterz Bridges Social Media and OTT Distribution
Social Media Managers
Socialaize Automates Scheduling Cross-Posting And Performance Tracking
Digital Fan Engagement Platforms
Fambase's Platform is an Alternative to Traditional Social Media
Social Insight Tools
Currents AI Turns Social Media Data Into Actionable Business Insights
AI Influencer Platforms
Statusphere Raised $18 Million to Scale Micro-Influencer Marketing
Athlete Marketing Platforms
Faves Was Built by Pro Athletes and Fintech/Adtech Experts
Consumer Insight Engines
Buzzabout Delivers Real-Time Insights From Billions of Conversations
Anti-Algorithm Social Platforms
Buzzfeed’s Branch Office Creates Interactive AI-Powered Apps
Local Social Media Feeds
TikTok’s Local Feed Uses Precise Location Opt-In, Excludes Minors
Feedless Social Platforms
Bond Eliminates Feeds to Focus on Real-Life Experiences
Influencer-Focused App Development Platforms
Wavemaker Debuts a Mobile App Development Platform
Content Planner Tools
Social Media Content Planner Helps Users Plan And Post On Notion
Video Podcast Expansion
Netflix and iHeartMedia Bring Video Podcasts to the Streaming Platform
Hobby-Based Socialization Apps
The Hobbimate App Connects Users Based on Mutual Interests
Communal Social Video Features
Instagram Blend Create Communal Reel Playlists with Friends
Wellness-First Social Networks
Communia Turns Social Media into Social Self-Care
Feed-Style Reading Platforms
The Holdout Reimagines Reading Using A Social Media–Inspired Format
Short-Form Video Previews
Vertical Feeds Help Members Discover Content on Netflix
Content Creation Tools
AI Social Media Post Generator Creates Platform-Ready Content Fast
Social Engagement Platforms
Sociable AI Predicts Viral Posts And Generates Brand Aligned Comments
Travel Community Platforms
Tripnation Travel Community Connects Through Stories, Groups, & Guides
Customized Restaurant Campaign Platforms
OpenTable Has Launched OpenTable Media
Social Travel Booking Platforms
TikTok GO Turns Creator Travel Videos Into Bookable Trips
Incentive-Based Athletic Challenges
Gains App Blends Sport, Social & Monetary Incentives
Social Content Platforms
WiseContent Helps You Generate, Optimize, and Share Social Posts
Localized Retail Media Platforms
Snappy Shopper Launches Connect, a Retail Media Network
Pet Social Platforms
Bark Baee Builds A Dedicated Social Network For Pet Owners
Music Sharing Games
What Song Lets Friends Share Songs And Stories Together Instantly
Unified Social Management
Social Champ Simplifies Multi-Platform Posting & Analytics For Agencies
Social Media Hubs
Unified Socials Centralizes Management Across Multiple Platforms
AI-Powered Custom Timelines
X Introduced Its Grok-Powered Custom Timelines Platform
Introvert-Friendly Social Platforms
The 'Introvrs' Social App Connects Like-Minded Users
On-Demand Content Creation Apps
Social Agent Connects Users to Certified Content Creators
Branded App Takeovers
TikTok Introduces Logo Takeover Ads That Dominate the App’s Opening Screen
Emerging Market Insights
Rising Trends Helps Discover Hidden Markets And Business Opportunities
Automated Content Management
BrandGhost Automates Social Media Scheduling And Content Remixing
Content Creation Tools
Content Niche Finder Helps You Discover Your Ideal YouTube Niche
Food Sharing Platforms
TotallyChefs Connects Users to Share and Discover Recipes Globally
Social-First Beauty Retailers
Sally Beauty Joins TikTok Shop
AI-Powered Creator Platforms
Android Added Advanced Mobile Editing and Creator Tools
Digital Journaling Platforms
Moments Helps Users Reflect, Track, and Journal for Personal Growth
Accessible Video Podcasts
Spotify Eases Partner Program Requirements For Video Creators
Social Media Schedulers
SocialLater Automates Social Media Posting Across Multiple Platforms
Peruvian Streaming Platforms
Kick Marks a New Wave of Streaming for the Region
Focused Fashion Feeds
Clone Helps You Stay Updated with Fashion Trends Sustainably
Social Networking Hubs
Internet Social Café Lets Users Explore Cafés and Build Online Connections
Content Planning Tools
Notion Social Media Scheduler Helps Organize and Plan Posts Efficiently
Community Travel Platforms
Discover Hidden Gems and Share Locations with TravelShare
City-Focused Influencer Platforms
Storytime Launches Storytime Marketplace in Cities
Social Media Creator Initiatives
Snapchat Launches its Gen Z-Focused Creator Connect Service
Social Copy Optimizers
TweetFast Turns Ideas Into Viral Tweets With AI-Powered Suggestions
Niche Club Apps
Phictly Connects Fans of Books, Movies & Shows in Small, Engaged Groups
Cultural Recommendation Platforms
RecomendeMe Connects Users Through Authentic Human Curated Ideas
Food-Focused Social Platforms
Flavorist Expands Flavorist Food App Access to the General Public
Social Media Growth Tools
PulseUp.top Simplifies Social Media Management & Business Opportunities
Social Forum Insight Trackers
Snoops.co Helps Businesses Find and Track Opportunities on Reddit
AI Community Growth
SocialOne Helps Acquire, Analyze, And Engage Members Across Social Platforms
Interactive Streaming Ads
Spotify Turns Listening into Engagement with Carousel Ads
Social Media Organizers
Gem Turns TikTok and Instagram Bookmarks Into Searchable Lists
Music Loyalty Platforms
FanBase.fm Is A Loyalty Platform For Music Fans And Artists
Local Story Creators
Word oh Mouth Lets Users Share Experiences And Support Local Businesses
Social Media-Inspired Streaming Apps
The Netflix App Feed Will Introduce a TikTok-Like Style
Real-Time Sharing Apps
MomentsHub Lets You Discover And Share Nearby Experiences Instantly
Expressive App Icons
The Instagram Teen Icons Deliver Vibrant Customization for Younger Users
Social Music Platforms
MeloDay Connects Music Lovers Through Interactive Discovery and Sharing
Real-Time Social Chats
Threads introduces live group chats around major cultural events
Attention Economy Agencies
VaynerX Launches Tamara Group to Drive Social-First Brand Relevance
Social Media Sticker Tools
Instagram Comment Sticker Generator Creates Engaging Reply Stickers
Custom Social Platforms
Nightlight Offers Inclusive And Highly Custom Social Media Experiences
Unified Profile Previews
PreviewMyProfile Shows Cross-Platform Social Profiles Before You Publish
Internal Social Platforms
Mush Social Enables Private Communication And Engagement For Teams
Creative Community Platforms
Folks Creates A Space For Product Makers To Share Ideas And Connect
Decentralized Social Websites
Surf Enables Creator-Owned Platforms
Social Music Sharing
Faves.fm Lets Users Share, Discuss, And Stream Songs From Friends
Social Challenge Platforms
ChallengeMe Lets You Create and Share Fun Tasks With Friends
Conversation Tracking Keywords
Bluesky Keywords Helps You Track Mentions And Insights In Real Time
Speaker Matching Platforms
SpeakUp Connects Speakers With Events And Journalistic Requests
Social Media Intelligence Tools
Fedica Unifies Publishing, Analytics, & Audience Insights With AI
Intentional Messaging Platforms
PenPal Hub Connects Through Mindset-Based Meaningful Conversations
Real-Time Monitoring Platforms
Notifier Finds Leads And Tracks Mentions Across Key Online Channels
Sports Streaming Platforms
EvoSports Streaming Lets Users Capture And Share Live Sports Moments
Social Intelligence Tools
Recon Social Filters Social Media Noise Into Relevant Business Signals
Social Finance Ecosystems
Venmo blends payments, rewards, and social discovery features
Music Mashups Apps
MashApp Music Lets Users Create And Share Custom Song Mashups Easily
Single Post Platforms
My One Post Lets Users Share One Meaningful Post At A Time
Event-Based Social Networking Applications
The Plus 1 App is Expanding into Florida
Book Discovery Platforms
Book Chat Noir Connects Readers Through Recommendations And Community
Personalized Podcast Platforms
Continua Lets You Create and Listen to Custom Podcasts Easily
Authentic Conversation Platforms
PanPalz Allows Real Conversations & Authentic Connections Online
Audience Insight Hubs
Bluesky Analytics Helps Track Engagement and Schedule Posts Across Platforms
Ad-Free Social Subscriptions
TikTok Introduced a Paid Ad-Free Experience for UK Users
Paired-Down Social Media Platforms
Month Friend Boasts a New Experience in the Hyper-Digital World
Creator Collaboration Platforms
Talen Together Connects Creators With Brands For Sponsorships
Social Automation Tools
Post Pilot Creates Schedules And Publishes AI LinkedIn Posts
Digital Review Platforms
Digital Products Enables Simple Consumer Reviews & Brand Insights Online
Creative Analytics Platforms
Superads Delivers AI Ad Insights Across Major Social Media Channels
Influencer Discovery Assistants
SocialiQ 2.0 Automates Influencer Research Right on Social Media
Sports Highlights Platforms
Snack Sports Delivers Curated Highlights Without Social Media Pressure
Collectible Social Communities
Mantel Builds A Social Network For Sharing Stories And Collections
Private Sharing Apps
Waffle Helps Friends Share Daily Moments And Stay Connected Authentically
Accessible Audio Sharing
Swell Makes Podcasting Simple and Social for Creators of All Levels
Engagement Timing Insights
DontPostYet Uses Live Analytics To Optimize Social Media Posting Times
Tech-Enhanced Marketing Tools
Sprout Social Has Introduced Upgrades to Its Customer Care Platform
Recipe Sharing Networks
ICanCookFood Lets Foodies Share Recipes And Follow Culinary Creators
Custom News Feeds
AnythingFeed Lets You Build And Share Custom News Feeds Together Today
Nightlife Insight Tools
Up 2 Tonight Shows Real-Time Crowd Info To Help Plan Your Night Out
Community Engagement Platforms
Tchop Enables Businesses To Build And Own Online Communities
Simplified Social Platforms
Happy Feed Is A Minimalist Twitter Experience With Fewer Distractions
Smart Content Aggregators
Smashing’s Personalized Article Discovery App Helps Users Stay Informed
Interest-Based Social Networking
Phnk Sparks Real Friendships Through Shared Interests and Chat
Video Repurposing Tools
Video To Social Converts Videos Into Optimized Content For Social Media
Social Content Platforms
Reel Rabbit Automates Content Creation To Grow App Engagement Organically
Adaptive Notification Systems
YouTube Filters Push Alerts Based on Recent User Engagement
Group Challenge Apps
Challenge Friends Lets Users Complete 30-Day Self-Improvement Challenges
Social Feed Tools
Mirror App Embeds Social Media Feeds Directly Into Websites Without Code
Social Workplace Branding Tools
Soshial Helps You Build and Grow a Personal Brand on LinkedIn
Startup Insight Platforms
App Stacks Reveals App Stories, Tech Stacks, And Builder Insights
Social Media Account Marketplaces
TinySoko Offers Secure Social Media Transactions with Escrow
Social Diary Platforms
Truuze Social Networking App Blends Personal Journaling With Social Sharing
Content Acceleration Apps
Bupple 2.0 Speeds Up Social Media Creation With Instant Draft Generation
Podcast Guest Networks
Podzter Connects Hosts and Guests to Grow Podcast Audiences Efficiently
Data-Comparing Social Apps
The Mutually App Matches Users Based on Their Digital Footprint
Social Sharing Tools
Social Plus Expands Your Reach With Shared Posts Across Platforms
Distinctive Asia-Focused Platforms
Feature.Asia Notes Asia's Professional & Cultural Innovators
Content Scheduling Platforms
Planly 2.0 Simplifies Social Media Management and Post Scheduling
Social Streamlining Platforms
Statuz Simplifies Social Posting From Your Mac's Menu Bar Instantly
Social Scheduling Tools
Post Dance Social Media Scheduler Publishes Content Across Platforms
Influencer Collaboration Networks
Megaboarding Connects Brands And Influencers For Collaborations
Editable Comment Features
Instagram Adds 15-Minute Comment Editing Option
Real-Time Publishing Platforms
Note to Draft Helps Share Insights and Promote Services Instantly