In the 461st episode of the MailRight Show, Robert Newman and Jonathan Denwood discussed alternative social media platforms that are gaining popularity in 2025. With the rise of platforms like Facebook and Instagram becoming more pay-to-play, many users are exploring other options to reach their audiences without heavy advertising costs. The episode highlights several alternative platforms that offer unique features and opportunities for users to grow their online presence and drive traffic to their websites. Robert Newman is the founder of Inbound REM, an inbound marketing firm, focusing on real estate and SEO. Meanwhile, Jonathan Denwood is the joint-founder of Mail-Right, a CRM lead generative platform providing a great website solution.
1. Bluesky
Bluesky was started by Jack Dorsey, who was the joint founder of Twitter. It is a social network built on the AT Protocol, an open-source framework for creating social apps. This protocol allows users to maintain control over their identity, data, and connections, making switching between apps that use the same protocol easy. Meaning, if you ever want to leave BlueSky and build an audience, and as long as the other platform you’re moving to is also based on this AT protocol, it’s going to be much easier to move from one platform to the other, which is quite attractive because that’s one of the problems of moving away from platforms like Twitter. It is particularly appealing because it does not penalize users for including links in their posts, making it a great platform for driving website traffic. With around 30 million users, Bluesky is growing steadily and is a strong alternative for those looking to move away from traditional social media platforms.
2. Pinterest
Pinterest is a visually-driven platform that allows users to share images and links without being penalized for including external links. This makes it an excellent tool for driving traffic to websites. Unlike many other social media platforms, Pinterest works well with search engines, making it a valuable tool for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). Users can create boards (collections of images) around specific topics, making it easy to organize and share content. Everything on Pinterest is readable and viewable. Suppose you get an image leading to a thousand people visiting your website. That means that you’ve got backlinking and traffic from a high domain authority or a high authority domain, which means that Pinterest is the most valuable social media platform for SEO.
3. Mastodon
Mastodon is another platform that uses the AT Protocol, similar to Bluesky. However, Mastodon is more technical and requires users to set up their own servers. This gives users more control over their data and content but can be challenging for those who are not tech-savvy. Mastodon is popular among users who value privacy and ownership of their data. While it may not be as user-friendly as Bluesky, it offers a high level of customization and is a good option for those looking to build niche communities.
4. Reddit
Reddit is a forum-based platform where users can join communities—called subreddits— focused on specific topics. It has become increasingly popular for SEO because Google now prioritizes Reddit content in search results. Users can share links to their websites and engage in discussions to drive traffic. Reddit helps build authority in specific niches, such as real estate, by participating in relevant subreddits and sharing valuable content.
5. Telegram
Telegram is a messaging app known for its strong encryption and privacy features. It is widely used by business communities, investors, and groups focused on specific interests. Telegram allows users to create and join groups where they can share information and links securely. While it is not as commonly used in residential real estate, it is a valuable tool for those in niche markets or industries that prioritize privacy and security.
6. Snapchat
Snapchat is a popular platform among younger users, particularly those aged 13 to 34. Its “Stories” feature allows users to share content that disappears after 24 hours. While Snapchat may not be the first choice for real estate marketing, it can be a useful platform for reaching younger audiences in major cities. For new and tech-savvy real estate agents, Snapchat offers an opportunity to stand out in a less saturated space compared to more established platforms.
