The Apparent Decline in Popularity of Online Forums

eminart · 06-12-14, 07:35 AM

Several years ago I had a mini revival in my herpetological activity. During that time I was a member of several online forums. They seemed to be pretty active then. I've been out of the loop for a while, but now that I'm back, I've been searching the internet, and the forums seem to have died. This site appears to be one of the most active, but even here things are slow. Why?

Is everyone on sites that are specialized for their particular favorite reptile? Has interest in reptiles just died off some? Are there too many sites? Facebook? Is it aliens? What do you guys that have been around while I was away think?

**Aaron_S** · 06-12-14, 07:59 AM

Social media in my opinion. People can make groups (forums) and get to populate with ONLY like-minded individuals.

Forums are a dying medium. It's limited in what it can do and just isn't what it used to be. People are just scattered more now.

Sublimeballs · 06-12-14, 08:18 AM

^^^^this is my thoughts aswell. Everyone's on Facebook.

Jim Smith · 06-12-14, 08:24 AM

I find that there seems to be an ebb and flow of forums where some flash up brightly for a while and fade away while others morph into something different than the original members expected/wanted and die slowly. Like most others here, I am also a member of other Herp web sites and it seems that those others can go for days without a new thread or response.

sharthun · 06-12-14, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sublimeballs

^^^^this is my thoughts aswell. Everyone's on Facebook.

Not me! lol I'm a forum die hard! I agree, everyone is looking for a popular comfortable social media niche.

**EL Ziggy** · 06-12-14, 08:47 AM

I'm not a huge forum guy. This is actually the first forum I've been a part of and I love this place. I think it's pretty active. I'm on a few other reptile forums now and they're not nearly as active or informative as this one. I really don't do much on FB, twitter or the other social media outlets.

eminart · 06-12-14, 08:53 AM

I can see where social media might have a few positives, but I think forums are a much better setup for this type of discussion. It's far more organized, searchable, and readable in my opinion. Forums really seem like the better tool for the job.

BIGT FROM F.B. · 06-12-14, 09:39 AM

Actually, this Forum has much more activity than any of the others that I am on. Responses, help, opinions etc. are very quick. All of the automobile Forums I'm on sometimes never even get a response. I posted a question this time last week on one and nobody has even viewed it.

Zoo Nanny · 06-12-14, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eminart

I can see where social media might have a few positives, but I think forums are a much better setup for this type of discussion. It's far more organized, searchable, and readable in my opinion. Forums really seem like the better tool for the job.

I have to agree with the above. I'm a moderator on another forum and find that when people are having issues or have serious questions they come to the forum.
I've seen it ebb and flow over the past 10 years going down hill for months and then all of a sudden we can't keep up with the post. Many of the same members in our forum are also in groups on Facebook but they still come back.

**Tsubaki** · 06-12-14, 11:46 AM

All the dutch forums i have been a member off died off already, 5-10 new posts in a day or so.. Thats why i love this forum, it's pretty active

Also, this is the first forum i contribute in forms of posting, the other forums i'm more of a reader.

Obsidian_Dragon · 06-13-14, 10:30 AM

Forums seem to be far more...ah, articulate than say, facebook groups. I just tried to poke around some of the FB groups and wanted to gouge my eyes out.

SSSSnakes · 06-13-14, 12:37 PM

I think FB and too much fighting is why many forums die. This forum is the most active I've seen, but even here it is active with a handful of members doing most of the postings.

RBDTerrell · 06-13-14, 05:34 PM

I would have to say that FB (and even Google+now) along with other social outlets are making forums seem a little outdated. I for one, like the format of a forum such as this one and this is the only forum I visit actively now. That being said I get a lot more questions and answers to my own questions answered quickly on Instagram and Facebook.

Zoo Nanny · 06-13-14, 06:54 PM

Many of the groups on Facebook will give you accurate information but twice as many will give you bogus info. That's the reason I prefer forums.