Who still runs forums?

Discussion in 'Forum Management' started by Shawn Gossman, Nov 29, 2024.

  1. #1
    I run a couple of forums. Forums have always been a fun hobby for me.

    I used to run some pretty big forums years ago but quit for a few years to figure out life. Now I'm back to it now that life is great. I've really enjoyed getting back into forums.

    They're not as popular as they once were, but they're not dead, either.

    Any of you running forums at all?
     
    Shawn Gossman, Nov 29, 2024 IP
  2. GreenHost.Cloud

    GreenHost.Cloud Active Member

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    #2
    I get that they’re not as big as they used to be, but there’s something special about the community vibe they create. There is also a forum called Forumpromotion, where many people are present, each with their forum.
     
    GreenHost.Cloud, Dec 2, 2024 IP
  3. Laraparker

    Laraparker Peon

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    #3
    i wanted to start it too!
     
    Laraparker, Dec 3, 2024 IP
  4. jonascik

    jonascik Greenhorn

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    #4
    why do you think it is that forums stopped being popular? Was it just reddit that replaced them all? I much prefer these old-fashioned forums to reddit though.

    OP, what forums do you run these days? I am always up to finding new forums :)
     
    jonascik, Dec 4, 2024 IP
  5. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #5
    I think facebook started the decline and discord finished it off.
     
    sarahk, Dec 4, 2024 IP
  6. ForgottenCreature

    ForgottenCreature Notable Member

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    #6
    reddit has knocked off a lot of forums, but they’re slowly coming back.

    Have you joined Administrata? https://administrata.net/
     
    ForgottenCreature, Dec 6, 2024 IP
  7. Fomin Alex

    Fomin Alex Greenhorn

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    #7
    I can totally relate to your experience! Forums have such a nostalgic charm, and it's great to hear you're back at it now that life is going well. While they’re not as trendy as before, they’re still a fantastic way to build niche communities. I haven’t run forums myself, but I’ve always admired the dedication it takes. It’s inspiring to see people keeping the forum culture alive—makes me consider starting one someday!
     
    Fomin Alex, Dec 6, 2024 IP
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  8. SarahRoseLives

    SarahRoseLives Member

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    #8
    Forums certainly feel dead, but then again they were never easy to populate in the first place.
    You needed a real community to get people together on them. The big ones are still around, the little ones exist.
    They're just harder to find it seems.
     
    SarahRoseLives, Sep 10, 2025 IP
  9. sarahk

    sarahk iTamer Staff

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    #9
    I had a laugh yesterday, I was approved membership of a forum I signed up for in JUNE! If forum owners want to keep their sites alive they need to be active too!
     
    sarahk, Sep 10, 2025 IP
  10. SarahRoseLives

    SarahRoseLives Member

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    #10
    That's a real good point, plenty of sites get setup and then forgotten all too often.
     
    SarahRoseLives, Sep 10, 2025 IP
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  11. VladislovasBartulis

    VladislovasBartulis Greenhorn

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    #11
    Oh, nice! Forums really have their own unique vibe. Nowadays everyone’s stuck on social media, but forums always feel more “alive” with real conversations instead of endless scrolling. I don’t run any myself, but I do hang out on a couple now and then — it’s like a club for people with shared interests, just without all the extra noise.
     
    VladislovasBartulis, Sep 26, 2025 IP
  12. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #12
    I like to lurk sometimes on Xenforo and Proboards forums. Many were thriving communities with 250-1,000 members, now down to 5-7 diehards...sad.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Sep 28, 2025 IP
  13. Liam_Archer

    Liam_Archer Greenhorn

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    #13
    I also run a couple of forums. While they’re not as mainstream as before, forums still have strong niche communities and loyal users. They may not grow as fast as social platforms, but they offer deeper engagement and long-term value
     
    Liam_Archer, Sep 29, 2025 IP
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  14. tonym

    tonym Active Member

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    #14
    I run 1 but its hard keeping people active with all that's going on in the world today. Forums seemed to have lost a lot of users to social media.
     
    tonym, Oct 28, 2025 IP
  15. qwikad.com

    qwikad.com Illustrious Member Affiliate Manager

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    #15
    I'm spending way too much time on X these days no time left for Facebook, Instagram or forums. X has become absolutely mind-boggling. It's UUUUUUGE. The news, the politics, all the important discussions happen there. I mean, VP JD Vance posts his memes there, for crying out loud.
     
    qwikad.com, Nov 3, 2025 at 6:03 PM IP
  16. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #16
    My BFF runs an interesting little forum and I find myself checking it out almost daily these days.
    https://introvertsisland.boards.net
    She's been nagging me to join up, but I really don't have the time.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Nov 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM IP
  17. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #17
    Forums still serve a purpose, particularly niche forums where members want to have indepth discussion which can't be found on facebook and the like. It's also a great way to meet like minded people and even make friends.
     
    dcristo, Nov 5, 2025 at 3:50 AM IP
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  18. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #18
    You've been trying to make online friends for 20 years and it's never worked out. What makes you think that anything will change for you now?:rolleyes:
     
    Spoiltdiva, Nov 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM IP
  19. dcristo

    dcristo Illustrious Member

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    #19
    Says the single lady that is single by "choice". Yeah right :)

    I don't need online friends. I have real friends lol
     
    dcristo, Nov 5, 2025 at 7:10 PM IP
  20. Spoiltdiva

    Spoiltdiva Acclaimed Member

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    #20
    And you put them on the bar of your bicycle and pedal them to your one and a half room furnished basement apartment, and serve them wine in plastic cups from a container.
     
    Spoiltdiva, Nov 5, 2025 at 7:36 PM IP