360DigitalInfluence

“Social Networks will be like air“

-Charlene Li of Forrester Research

Charlene Li of Forrester Research predicted that by 2013 social networks will be completely embedded into our everyday interactions on the Web.   As we click from site to site we will gasp for access to our social network as we might gasp for air when it does not surround us.   Google’s OpenSocial, released on November 1, 2007, is an example of how networks are starting to work together to allow for an individual’s social profile to function across varying social platforms.

One of the many steps towards this ubiquitous social Internet will the the popping up of social networks related to virtually every niche topic.   Jessica Merritt at InternetServiceDeals.com put together the following excellent list of the 50 Fastest Growing Niche Social Media Sites and Networks aside from the most popular such as Facebook, MySpace, Digg, and YouTube.   Check out her blog for some interesting stats about how fast these sites are actually growing according to Alex.

Finance

• Value Investing News: Share and learn from this stock market news site.
• Real Estate Voices: Offers an active real estate community of realtors, sellers, and more.
• Feed the Bull: Financial investors and stock market traders gather here to discuss and rate market news.

Shopping & Style

• iliketotallyloveit: Discover new products and share your favorites.
• Dealigg: Dealigg regularly features coupons, rebates and freebies online.
• Stylehive: The site features loads of visual bookmarks for fashion and more.
• Chictini: Allows users to discover, share, and buy chic designs.
• ThisNext: Offers a way for users to recommend, share, and find the next cool product they should buy.
• Kaboodle: Users can discover new items from similar shoppers, recommend products, and create shopping lists.

Sports

• ArmchairGM: Find an active social community and voting system.
• BallHype: This site features cutting edge sports news, allowing users to assign “hype” to them for popularity.

Causes

• Care2: Allows users to vote and get the word out about campaigns, petitions, and more.
• Gaia: This community is full of supportive, environmentally friendly, and socially conscious people.
• Fivelimes: For all things about green living
• Hugg: User-generated environmental news.

Art & Design

• Design Float: Use it to discover and submit stories aimed at freelance designers.
• Design Sites Up: Find design news and share your own.
• Ravelry: An invitation-only site that caters to the knit and crochet community.
• PhotographyVoter: Check out photography news, and images, and submit your own work on PhotographyVoter.
• Pixel Groovy: Offers the best of the web’s tutorials.

Internet Technology

• DNHour: All about domain strategy, sales, and more.
• Hacker News: Full of all things hacking and web development.
• Slashdot: Shares the latest in tech and offbeat news.
• tweako: Find “collaborative computing” resources, including guides and tutorials.
• BloggingZoom: A great place for any blogger to promote their work.
• DZone: Full of useful news and links for Web developers.

Business

• KillerStartups: Reviews 30 or more internet startups every day, and encourages members to vote on which one they think will succeed.
• PlugIM: Allows users to share news, projects, and stories about internet marketing.
• HubSpot: Find marketing posts to submit and share.
• Gooruze: Online marketing community, offering news, advice, and more. .
• Sphinn: Share your internet marketing knowledge with this community.
• Small Business Brief: Find and share the latest news and information for small businesses.

Entertainment

• ShowHype: Allows users to submit and vote on the latest in entertainment news.
• Video Bomb: For popular online videos.
• IMEEM: Both users and artists will find a place to share and discover new music, video, and photos.
• Wordsy: Book community where users share and discuss the latest news in the book world.
• Crackle: Watch videos, rate them, and network with other viewers.
• GamerDNA: Offers a great way for gamers to get together and share game notes, links, and more.
• Hey! Nielsen: Users can rate music, TV, movies, and more.
• VideoSift: Features all of the best videos online.

Miscellaneous

• Kirtsy: Serves up links submitted by women, for women.
• NewsHeat: Follow the candidates and promote your favorite political news.
• Fark: Read and share amusing stories.
• Blogs4God: Features the latest in Christian blogs.
• BlackPlanet: Vote on stories, style, and lots more.
• Yahoo! Buzz: Vote on the stories of the day.
• Meme or Lame: Allows users to submit and vote on gadgets of all kinds.
• AutoSpies: Discuss and vote on new cars, automobile articles, and more.
• Daytipper: Find and share useful tips and information.
• tipstrs: Users love to share helpful advice.