Quick Links
1How Does the Site Handle Privacy and Your Data?
Some platforms have questionable privacy policies. For instance, WhatsApp may share your account information including your phone number, app usage, IP address, and other information, with Meta and other third-party service providers it works with to improve its services. At the same time, a few platforms are more secure than others, like Signal.
While there are plenty ofsocial media mistakes you should avoid to protect your privacy, all your efforts will be in vain if the platform itself doesn’t prioritize your privacy and your data.
Newer platforms especially bring added security concerns. Signing up during a platform’s growth stage can mean greater risks of hacking or personal data exposure in the event of a breach. Onered flag that tells you to avoid a social media platformis if the site doesn’t disclose its terms or privacy policy at all.
So, if you’re not willing to compromise on privacy, take time to review the platform’s data collection practices, privacy policy, and the available privacy settings. Though nothing can fully guarantee data safety when a site is in its growth stage, knowing a platform’s stance on privacy helps you make informed choices.
Meanwhile, some newer platforms, like Threads, are owned by well-known companies, like Meta, which owns Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. In such cases, it’s a great idea to check their track record with user data on existing apps before signing up.
2Does the App’s Content Align with Your Interests?
Nowadays, social media platforms tend to focus on one primary type of content. For example, TikTok primarily features short-form videos, while YouTube leans heavily toward longer videos.
Similarly, X (formerly Twitter) and Threads both center on short posts, while Snapchat focuses on quick, temporary content like Snaps. While Instagram and Facebook have jumped on the short-form content trend by introducing Reels, their primary focus remains on photo and video sharing.
3Will The App Merely Be a Distraction?
As someone with a terrible attention span, one of the first things I consider when signing up for a new social media platform is whether it’ll become a distraction. Social media platforms make it incredibly easy to fall into a cycle of procrastination. What starts as a quick ten-minute break can quickly spiral into three hours of mindless scrolling.
If you already struggle with managing your time efficiently andwant to cut down on social media use, ask yourself whether adding yet another social media app to the mix will help your case.
This is also closely tied to the type of content a platform focuses on. I personally find short-form content incredibly distracting—I can easily spend hours watching one TikTok after another. It gets to the point where stopping feels almost impossible.
On the other hand, I can only spend so much time watching people share memories on Facebook before I get tired of it. So, consider the type of content the platform focuses on. If the app offers value beyond just entertainment, like professional networking or opportunities to learn something new, the distraction might be well worth it.
4Who Are You Likely to Connect With?
While consuming content usually takes up most of our time on social media apps, it’s also important to consider who you’ll likely connect with on the platform. After all, there’s much more to social media than just scrolling.
Different platforms cater to different audiences. For instance, Facebook tends to attract an older demographic, while TikTok and Instagram are filled with Gen Z users. Although these platforms may vary in audience and content, all three primarily focus on entertainment. In contrast, platforms like LinkedIn target professional networking.
If you’re considering signing up to a new platform, keep in mind that it may not have a large audience yet. This can impact your ability to connect with the type of people you’re hoping to engage with.
5What Features Does the App Offer?
One thing is certain—social media platforms are always in competition with each other. Instagram and Facebook launched Stories and Reels to compete with TikTok and Snapchat, TikTok introduced Notes to rival Instagram, and countless more examples will pop up if you look closely.
If established platforms are constantly drawing from one another, it’s no surprise that newer apps try to replicate popular features too. But many platforms still in their growth phase may lack features you rely on.
So, I’d recommend checking the app’s reviews and description on the App Store or Play Store to see if it offers the features you actually want. If it doesn’t, it might not be worth going through the hassle of setting up yet another account just for you to stop using it after a few days.
Similarly, before you commit to a new social media platform, check how frequently the app rolls out updates. Newer platforms tend to come with tons of technical issues and bugs, which include slow loading times, crashes, or features that don’t work as intended. Frequent updates indicate that the developers are committed to improving the user experience by introducing new features and resolving bugs reported by users.
6Is the Platform Future-Proof?
While this shouldn’t be an issue if you’re signing up for a social network that’s been around for years, the longevity of newer platforms is often unpredictable. It’s almost impossible to know if an app will really take off.
You might think an app owned by a major company is guaranteed success. But takeWhee, developed by TikTok’s parent company, as an example. Whee was launched in June 2024 as an Instagram-like photo-sharing app, yet it never really gained traction.
Similarly, TikTok’s parent company also launchedLemon8, a photo and video-sharing platform, back in 2020. Although Lemon8 has over a hundred thousand ratings on the App Store, it still hasn’t gained the level of popularity that other major platforms have.
So, if you’re hesitant about investing time and effort into building a following on a platform that might not last, it might be wise to choose a more established option or wait and see if the app gains momentum first.
