Alternatives to Facebook

Facebook originally differed from Twitter because it had longer form content with more rich media (allowing photo albums, rather than just 1-4 images per post). Facebook also allowed one to write posts with text longer than 140 characters. It essentially brought "blogging to the masses", although the average post would not have more than a couple of paragraphs. Hence, I consider Facebook a "mini-blogging" app!

So, without further ado, some alternatives to Facebook:

Minds

• features
  • hashtags are separated from the post for a more elegant folksonomy
  • very clean and intuitive interface
• caveats
  • has not gained widespread usage even in the alternative world
• politics
  • relatively neutral but leans towards libertarians
• apps
  • official mobile app available but with restrictions
  • "best viewed on a desktop browser" but useable on mobile

I use Minds to jot down quick notes about technology and how people use it :)

Locals

• features
  • join a Locals site that someone else has created
  • create your "own social network" (i.e. internet club) as well
• caveats
  • centred around niche hobby communities rather than individuals
  • not very well known but gaining traction in alternative spheres
• politics
  • relatively neutral but leans towards libertarians and conservatives
• apps
  • official mobile app available

I don't use Locals yet...

Gab

• features
  • a complicated hybrid that has elements of both old Twitter and old Facebook
  • self-proclaimed "free-speech" website
  • filter out content more easily than on other websites
    • e.g. filter out reposts and replies
  • allowance to delete unwanted replies to your posts
• caveats
  • usually associated with the "far-right" due to "no censorship" (aka "content moderation")
• politics
  • conservative to far-right, but you are free to voice any kind of opinion you want
• apps
  • no official mobile app available (must download .apk for Android)
  • best viewed on a desktop browser but still useable with a mobile browser

I don't use Gab that much but I'll find a use for it someday!