What is the Future of Online Communities?

Online community platforms are destined to play an ongoing and increasing role in organizations large and small.

However, as technologies like virtual and augmented reality, brain-machine interfaces, machine learning, the blockchain and NFTs become more mainstream, how will online communities and the software supporting them evolve?

Imagine a future where communities online spring up that are supported by technologies that provide increasingly immersive experiences based on the needs of its members.

Where have we been?

Communities for a very long time stretching back to the earliest days of the internet were based on the exchange of test, either in a mailing list, a discussion forum, a wiki, or a chat room.

Where are we today?

Communities for a very long time stretching back to the earliest days of the internet were based on the exchange of test, either in a mailing list, a discussion forum, a wiki, or a chat room.

Despite all of our advancements with video, thanks to increased internet broadband availability, most community experiences are still primarily grounded in these early internet technologies.

No community platform exists that touts a video-first experience. Video is still being provided as an add-on, either allowing for Zoom or a similar conferencing technology.

All of the major community platform technologies focus on creating a strong text-based experience.

Where are we going?

It seems unlikely that text will change in the near future. Internet bandwidth is still a significant issue in many parts of the world.