Millions of Russians use Russian version of Instagram and TikTok
More than 5 million Russians have switched to using Russian-founded social networks after Instagram, TikTok... restrict users in Russia.
Russian social networking platform Yarus - Photo: IZVESTIA
According to Izvestia newspaper , about 5 million Russians are gradually turning to social networking platforms with features similar to Instagram or TikTok, after these two platforms were restricted in Russia.
Specifically, since Meta Company's Instagram social network was blocked in Russia and the TikTok platform stopped its video posting service in March 2022, many platforms with similar features have been released one after another. life to serve the needs of the Russian people like Yarus, Looky, Zoombler, You Online or Flow!
According to research firm Mediascope, the number of Instagram users in Russia between January and July 2022 has decreased by almost four times.
Besides, by June 2022, the percentage of Facebook users also halved.
According to the predictions of the founders of these platforms, the number of users of Russian-made social networking platforms is expected to increase to 120 million people, reaching 25% by 2030.
Sergey Polovnikov, head of a project evaluating social networking platforms, said: "Of course the Russians have the ability to create a platform that includes the same tools and features as Instagram or TikTok, But they still want to create platforms with distinct Russian characteristics that are unlike any other."
Mr. Polovnikov also added: "We need to create a platform of our own, through a period of research and development that will gradually attract a certain number of users of our own."
However, the social networking platforms created by Russian founders have not really attracted many users in the country.
Vladimir Zykov, project manager at ANO Digital Platforms, said the lack of investment is one of the biggest reasons why social media platforms similar to Instagram in Russia have not been able to expand in popularity.
"To be able to improve social networking platforms as well as attract and retain millions of users, we need an expense to promote, host, protect the platforms, maintain the distribution system. content and develop high-quality algorithms," explains Mr.
Mr. Alexander Momot, the founder of the social network Zoombler, said that this project was launched in April 2022 at a time in Russia that did not have any application similar to Instagram and so far this social network also only about 5,000 registered users.
According to Momot, the main reason why the platform's growth has slowed and its popularity is not high is the lack of necessary investments to develop the business and promote the service.