The Top 10 kinds of Online Communities -
Online communities can be found in a variety of forms and sizes. The types of online communities that you may find and become involved with vary greatly.
If you want to learn more about the various kinds of communities that exist and the best ones for you, you've come to the right location.
Take a look at our list of 10 different kinds of online communities, and the key characteristics that each.
What's the different kinds of communities that exist online?
The majority of online communities focus on bringing people together around a common interest, cause or purpose. People connect, collaborate and exchange information with one another. It's all in the primary focus of the community.
The many types of online communities you can find online is due to the wide range of activities, hobbies and preferences of individuals from all over the world. Every one of them is tailored to the needs of its members. And it's a lot of fun!
Some differences between types of communities comprise:
- Structure
- Aims and goals
- Values
- Approach
- Moderation and management
With regards to various types of communities it's crucial to keep in mind that a community is categorized in multiple types. There are no set rules distinguishing the different types of communities online and frequently they blur the distinction between these types of communities.
If you are an instructor You could create a learning community which doubles as a branding community. When your community on the internet grows and becomes more established the likelihood is that it'll take on the form of the social network.
To get a better idea of what each of these kinds of communities is and how they operate, let's take a review of the top 10 kinds of online communities, with a few examples.
The top 10 kinds of community online
With the variety of different kinds of communities online, we've broken them down into a list of the most common and most relevant groups. Here are 10 of the main types of online communities as well as the most important features of each.
1. Brand communities
One of the more popular kinds of communities online are the community-based brands.
The name says it all Brand communities are developed around one brand or business. This means there's a huge range of brands and communities. Communities for brands are focused on creating an emotional bond between participants and the brand.
The online community seeks to connect people as a tribe, centered around a common identity constructed around the brand. Within the community, users can connect with their brand of choice and with other brand lovers. The online community is intended to build brand loyalty by gathering all the customers with the highest enthusiasm together in one location. A good example of a branding community is the makeup company Sephora's Beauty Insider community, where fans can talk about all things cosmetics and beauty.
Its key characteristics for this type of online community:
- Brand communities are designed to be enjoyable. At their heart, they're about the brand's success and everything that customers love about it.
- Brand communities are generally marked by a lot of user-generated content . The approach to engagement with the community is typically focused around encouraging this type of material.
- There is a tendency to find community engagement ideas like contests, giveaways, and surveys within this kind of online community.
2. Communities of learning
There are a variety of communities online that are based on learning and knowledge sharing. Learning communities are designed to connect students and learners into a collaborative space.
Learning communities offer learners an opportunity to inquire about their needs, discuss ideas and concepts as well as receive feedback from peers. They're more than just a place to enhance students' understanding, they can also be an essential source of emotional assistance during learning. One great example of a learning community can be found in Kate Baker's Veterinary Cytology Coffeehouse Facebook page. This group complements her numerous courses and learning materials on Cytology.
Its key characteristics for this online community type:
- Learning communities are characterized by the same goals of gaining understanding of specific topics.
- Learning communities are mostly concentrated on asking and responding to questions. They are different from other types of online communities.
- Learning communities allow learners to collaborate on the learning materials, the sharing of resources, and talking about issues and challenges.
From the various types of communities on the internet This is the type that's probably most relevant for course designers. Learning communities are a great base from which to build your brand and membership community too.
3. Networking communities
Like the name implies, networks are all about networking! In contrast to other online communities, networking communities only focus to help users discover possibilities to grow their network.
This type of online community is usually built around a specific industry or profession. But there are networks that aren't professional or professional in nature. Examples include communities of support and communities of circumstance can be considered networking communities.
Its key characteristics for this online community type:
- Networking communities are usually discussion-based with users posting requests for advice or support and issues to discuss.
- Communities that network offer their members the possibility of finding solutions to common problems and problems they face in the chosen topic.
- When compared to other forms of online communities, networking communities tend to be more formal than those such as fan or brands' communities.
Networking communities can be described as an individual kind of online community other types of virtual communities can include networking activities too. Brand communities and learning communities can also function as networking communities , and it is likely that your online community incorporates elements of a networking community.
4. Social groups
Of the various types of communities on the internet they are the most popular and easy to recognize. They are precisely the same thing - they are communities built on the creation of social connections.
Social communities are where people meet to talk or share their experiences and enjoy themselves. Brands can utilize social communities for marketing purposes, especially raising awareness of their brand. Unlike other types of online communities, they're not places for endless advertisements and promotions. Social networks are all about creating connections and sharing information instead of commercial activities.
Key characteristics of this kind of community online:
- Social networks vary greatly in terms of size. They range from a tiny intimate group of people to huge communities that include thousands of people.
- You can think of social communities like the virtual party at your house - it's a group of people who get together to enjoy time with each other and begin conversations.
- You can find social communities on every social media platform, including Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
A lot of times, learning communities include elements from social community and the reverse is true. Actually, taking ideas from social networks is an effective way of making your group more entertaining and enjoyable for your members.
5. Fan communities
The growing popularity of communities on the internet has made it possible for a very specific type of community to take off - fan communities.
Fan communities are built around the same interest as TV, book, or music artist. As with social communities they are built on social interaction, however they're really specific to one passion.
Some online communities are closed and secret, fan groups are generally open to all. All you need is to be a fan of the thing you're in love with! If you're a big fan of a particular comic, you are able to join an online fan-based community. Social media site Reddit is home to numerous fan-based communities, including the one for Marvel comics, with 1.6 million people.
Certain creators and artists have begun utilizing fan groups as a method to generate income, making use of platforms such as Patreon to grow their business and personal brand.
Its key characteristics for this online community type:
- Fan communities are typically started by people who are fans or creators in order to build communities around a common interest.
- The interactions in this kind of community online are nearly only about the fan-based community.
- Fan communities often involve specific types of user-generated content like fanfic, art, videos, and other types of content that aren't typically seen in other types of online communities.
Certain brands are not well-suited for creating fan-based communities. However, when you're a creator, or an musician, fan communities can be a great tool for increasing brand loyalty as well as recognition of your brand.
6. Communities with insight
Among the different types of online communities this is a community that was created solely for the purpose of marketing - an insight community provides a means to collect data from their customers.
Insight communities are aimed at making use of customer interaction to formulate, test and refine different marketing strategies. They are generally drawn from a company's previous client base, which means they know the products or services well.
Key characteristics of this online community type:
- Insight communities usually adhere to a planned research program including topics, topics, and tasks set by the community moderator.
- In contrast to other kinds of online communities, insight communities may be in short supply - some only last several weeks. However, they may continue to operate for many years. The duration depends on the research team's needs.
- The nature of these communities means they're always secretive and the data shared by members of the community can be confidential, especially for larger names.
Insight communities can be a useful option for businesses looking to gather insight on their clients. They are often connected to community-based brands, operating as invite-only, smaller communities that are invite-only.
7. Membership communities
Membership communities are designed to allow members access to information, exclusive resources and support.
With regards to the different types of online communities, the membership ones tend to be more exclusive than the others. It is common for them to require that users register on a specific site and pay a fee to become a part of the community. In return, members get access to specific information and other resources.
The most important characteristics of this type of online community:
- Membership communities are often invite-only. After you've signed up for a membership, you're accepted into the community.
- Because members pay for access to these kinds of communities and are more demanding than users of other online communities. People expect certain levels of service, which is why an extensive community engagement strategy is needed to help membership communities thrive.
8. Local communities
While many types of online communities are only available in the online world Local communities are built around a physical space or geographic location. They tend to be smaller in size and possess particular focus when compared to other online communities.
If you have a Facebook page in your building's apartment and you're part of a local community! Local communities can also include communities that suggest places to eat or things to do in a city or community group based around a place like a high school or national park.
Key characteristics of this kind of community online:
- local communities can be limited in terms of size since they're pertinent to individuals in a certain geographical location.
- This kind of online community usually revolves around discussions that relate to local issues such as local news and recommendations.
- As with many internet-based communities, local communities could be controlled by commercial websites. In order to avoid this, community guidelines are necessary and moderators are often needed.
Community-based communities in the local area are relevant to brands with a local following or a brick and mortar establishment. However, they could be sub-groups in the brand community or a learning communities where community members who are similar to you are able to connect and meet.
9. Communities of action
In joining a group of action, it is committed to a cause. Communities of action connect people who want to change something within their lives. These are usually managed by non-profit organizations or enthusiastic volunteer groups.
The online community is defined by common targets and specific actions targeted to promote a cause. The focus is usually on the achievement of certain milestones, and their members unite on these causes in a group.
The most important characteristics of this online community type:
- While there are many diverse communities of action, are all united by desire to help make the world an improved place.
- Activities in a community of action include organizing events, looking for opportunities for volunteering, fundraising and even a bit of debate.
- Communities of action typically consist from people who volunteer, leaders from the community of NGO personnel, and citizens.
Community of Action can also be learning communities or community of circumstances, depending on the cause and the topics that make up the focus of the organization.
10. Community of circumstances
Communities of circumstance give individuals the chance to connect with other members who share similar life experiences to them.
Communities of circumstance usually have aims related to providing assistance to members facing issues or difficulties they face because of their circumstances, for instance, motherhood, chronic illness or impairments. They are a space to share advice, personal experiences and pertinent details.
Examples of communities of circumstance are:
- Groups of support
- Health care organizations
- Proposals from the Government
Communities of circumstances are extremely specific in accordance with the specific needs of members.
The most important characteristics of this type of online community:
- Depending on the types of groups, members might include people from the general public, doctors and medical professionals, volunteers, counsellors and more.
- Communities of circumstance might consist of organized events, online and in-person designed to connect members to fellow members as well as experts.
- In contrast to other kinds of online communities, communities of particular circumstances tend to be built around supportive interaction instead of discussion.
Communities are a type of community that tends to prioritize the safety of their members, as well as support and sharing at the top of their list and distinguishing them from other types of online communities.
The various types of communities online might be ideal for your organization
Now you know the most common kinds of communities online, you can choose the one that works best for your brand. Most course creators will find the best choice for the type of community online is one that is a learning or the brand community. However, you may also want to establish the concept of a community that is based on membership, or a community of circumstance too.
To start your own online community, sign up for Pro Plus! Make sure you join our virtual community of Course Creators too.