{"id":689216,"date":"2026-10-14T11:50:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:50:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?p=689216"},"modified":"2026-10-16T12:13:33","modified_gmt":"2026-10-16T16:13:33","slug":"online-community-and-connection-in-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/","title":{"rendered":"Online Community and Connection in America"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 id=\"nearly-4-in-10-u-s-adults-including-about-half-of-those-18-to-29-are-part-of-an-online-community\" class=\"wp-block-heading is-style-sub-title is-style-sub-title--1\">Nearly 4 in 10 U.S. adults \u2013 including about half of those 18 to 29 \u2013 are part of an online community<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-640-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=694959\"><img data-dominant-color=\"8cc4ba\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #8cc4ba;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_image.png?resize=480,270 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_image.png?resize=782,440 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_image.png?resize=960,540 960w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_image.png?resize=1200,675 1200w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_image.png?resize=1334,750 1334w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"360\" width=\"640\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_image.png?w=640\" alt=\"An illustration of icons related to online communities connected in a network\" class=\"wp-image-694959 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Pew Research Center illustration)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<details data-wp-context=\"{&quot;closeWhenFocusLost&quot;:false,&quot;knightCollectionUrl&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.pewresearch.org\\\/collections\\\/pew-knight-initiative\\\/&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"core\/details\" class=\"wp-block-details is-style-pew-knight-co-branded has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-white-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-fe3d8243 wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-top-color:var(--wp--preset--color--ui-gray-light);border-top-width:1px;border-right-style:none;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-color:var(--wp--preset--color--ui-gray-light);border-bottom-width:1px;border-left-style:none;border-left-width:0px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-right:0;padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-left:0;font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary data-wp-on--click=\"actions.handleSummaryClick\">Pew Knight Initiative<\/summary>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-24afb64e wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"has-ui-gray-very-dark-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.114), 15px);\">The Pew-Knight Initiative supports new research on how Americans absorb civic information, form beliefs and identities, and engage in their communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-ui-gray-very-dark-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\" style=\"font-size:clamp(14px, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 3.2px) * 0.114), 15px);\">Pew Research Center is a nonpartisan, nonadvocacy fact tank that informs the public about the issues, attitudes and trends shaping the world. Knight Foundation is a social investor committed to supporting informed and engaged communities. <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pew-knight\/\"><strong>Learn more &gt;<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-style-plus-icon has-border-color has-ui-gray-light-border-color has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background has-sans-serif-font-family is-layout-flow wp-container-core-details-is-layout-4031d49d wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\" style=\"border-width:1px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);font-size:clamp(0.875em, 0.875rem + ((1vw - 0.2em) * 0.009), 0.88em);\"><summary>About this research<\/summary>\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This&nbsp;report&nbsp;from the\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/collections\/pew-knight-initiative\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a> focuses on online community and connection today. It looks at who\u2019s part of online communities, where they form, what they\u2019re built around, why people go to them \u2013 and why some people leave. It also examines what people think the internet is doing to connection overall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"why-we-did-this\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why we did this<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Center conducts research to inform the public, journalists and decision-makers.&nbsp;We\u2019ve long studied <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2001\/10\/31\/online-communities\/\">what online connection looks like for Americans<\/a>. At a time when fewer than half of Americans are highly satisfied with their social life \u2013 or with the quality of life in their local community \u2013 it\u2019s important to understand the role online communities play, good and bad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/about\/\">Learn more about Pew Research Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 id=\"how-we-did-this\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How we did this<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We surveyed 9,750 U.S. adults from May 26 to June 1, 2026. Everyone who took part in this survey is a member of the Center\u2019s&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/the-american-trends-panel\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">American Trends Panel<\/a>. The survey represents the views of the full U.S. adult population.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here are the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_Questionnaire.pdf\">survey questions<\/a> used for this report, the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_TOPLINE.pdf\">detailed responses<\/a> and the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-methodology\/\">methodology<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is a Pew Research Center report from the Pew-Knight Initiative, a research program funded jointly by The Pew Charitable Trusts and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Find related reports online at\u202f<a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pew-knight\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/pew-knight\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-callout has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-c54fc7cb wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<h4 id=\"key-findings\" class=\"wp-block-heading has-small-font-size\">Key findings:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family has-small-font-size\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/#share-of-adults-in-online-communities\">48% of young adults are part of online communities<\/a><\/strong>, outpacing older adults.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family has-small-font-size\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/#only-find-online\">These communities often offer unique value<\/a><\/strong>: For many, their go-to space is something they can only get online.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family has-small-font-size\">Most go to them for <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/#what-motivates-people-to-turn-to-online-communities\">information, fun or advice<\/a><\/strong>. Fewer go to them for acceptance or meeting people.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family has-small-font-size\">Many think <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way\/\">politics doesn\u2019t belong<\/a><\/strong> in the space they visit most \u2013 54% say this.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family has-small-font-size\"><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/#is-online-connection-meaningful\">Not everyone\u2019s sold on online connection<\/a><\/strong>. About half of adults say it\u2019s not as meaningful as in-person relationships.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li class=\"has-sans-serif-font-family has-small-font-size\">The most common reason people <em>leave<\/em> online communities? <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/about-a-third-of-americans-have-left-an-online-community\/\">Losing interest<\/a><\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\" id=\"share-of-adults-in-online-communities\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=691999\"><img data-dominant-color=\"dadfe5\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #dadfe5;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-01.png?resize=480,635 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-01.png?resize=620,820 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"410\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-01.png?w=310\" alt=\"A bar chart showing Nearly 4 in 10 Americans are part of online communities \u2013 and this is higher for young adults\n\" class=\"wp-image-691999 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At a time when many are worrying about <a href=\"https:\/\/fortune.com\/2026\/05\/26\/americans-losing-community-ties-social-mobility-less-neighborly\/\">fraying social ties<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/Health\/us-surgeon-general-warns-dangers-loneliness\/story?id=111050040\">rising loneliness<\/a>, some Americans are finding community online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A new Pew Research Center survey from the <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/collections\/pew-knight-initiative\/\">Pew-Knight Initiative<\/a> finds that <strong>nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults are part of an online community \u2013 and that share rises to about half among young adults.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For some, <strong>these communities are deeply valuable parts of their lives.<\/strong> They widely offer information, advice or experiences people say they could only get online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Still, these benefits sit alongside doubts about making genuine connections online.<\/strong> About half of Americans question whether online relationships can be as meaningful as those formed in person. Fewer \u2013 34% \u2013 think they can be just as meaningful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s an age divide on this topic as well. Adults under 30 are far more likely than those ages 65 and older to say online relationships can be just as meaningful as in-person ones (54% vs. 14%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-callout has-ui-beige-very-light-background-color has-background is-layout-flow wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2130f694 wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<h4 id=\"how-did-we-study-online-communities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">How did we study online communities? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Our questions asked about <strong>feeling part of a community online. <\/strong>We wanted to capture a wide range of spaces and experiences that someone might consider as online community. Here\u2019s how we explained the topic further:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>By this, we mean people connecting with others online, such as by joining or feeling part of a group or doing things together. This could happen in places like social media, online discussion forums, by emailing or messaging with a group, or in video games online.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Follow-up questions focused on the community people spend the most time in \u2013 we call this their <strong>most-visited online community.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;where-online-communities-form-and-what-theyre-about&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" id=\"where-online-communities-form-and-what-theyre-about\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Where online communities form and what they\u2019re about<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692000\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e1e7ea\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e1e7ea;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-02.png?resize=480,821 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-02.png?resize=620,1060 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"530\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-02.png?w=310\" alt=\"A bar chart showing Social media top the list of where people find community online\" class=\"wp-image-692000 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">More than two decades after the Center <a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2001\/10\/31\/online-communities\/\">studied online communities<\/a> in 2001, these spaces still vary in where they form, what they offer and who turns to them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>It\u2019s most common to find online community on social media.<\/strong> About a quarter of Americans are part of an online community on social media sites or apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Discussion forums come next \u2013 15% are part of an online community in places like Reddit, Nextdoor or Discord.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fewer are part of an online community on video sites like YouTube and Twitch, in video games online, or on messaging apps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And 5% are part of one on sites or apps for people who share a hobby \u2013 like Goodreads for reading, Strava for running, Ravelry for knitting or Letterboxd for movies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692001\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e0e4e9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e0e4e9;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-03.png?resize=480,1243 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-03.png?resize=620,1606 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"803\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-03.png?w=310\" alt=\"A bar chart showing It\u2019s most common to be part of online communities about hobbies, local area\" class=\"wp-image-692001 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>When it comes to what these communities focus on: Hobbies and local area top the list.<\/strong> About one-in-five Americans say they are part of an online community related to each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Roughly one-in-ten adults say they\u2019re in one about topics like movies, books or TV shows; video games; or their work or profession. A similar share says they\u2019re in fan communities of any kind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And while politics can come up in a range of places, 8% of Americans are in an online community specifically related to politics or political issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Read more about<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way\/\">what people think of politics in online communities<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Age, again, is an important factor:<\/strong> Young adults are more likely than all other groups to be part of several kinds of communities. For example, that\u2019s true for online communities about video games; beauty or fashion; movies, books or TV shows; hobbies; and fan communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gaming has one of the biggest gaps. About a quarter of adults under 30 (27%) are part of one about video games. This drops to 16% of those in their 30s and 40s and 4% of those 50 and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Participation also varies by other factors. Some examples are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Gender:<\/strong> 15% of women are part of an online community specifically for women, largely driven by women under 50; 5% of men say they\u2019re in one specifically for men.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Being a parent:<\/strong> 17% of parents with a child under 18 say they\u2019re part of an online community about parenting. Moms are more likely than dads to say so (21% vs. 11%).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Race and ethnicity:<\/strong> Roughly one-in-five Black adults (17%) are part of a community related to race and ethnicity. About one-in-ten Asian or Hispanic adults say this and 2% of White adults.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>For more on<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/appendix-who-is-part-of-an-online-community\/\">who\u2019s part of an online community in general<\/a>, go to the appendix.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;do-people-find-value-in-online-communities&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" id=\"do-people-find-value-in-online-communities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do people find value in online communities?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-200-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692002\"><img data-dominant-color=\"c8d8e4\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #c8d8e4;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-04.png?resize=410,1030 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"502\" width=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-04.png?w=200\" alt=\"A pie chart showing About 1 in 4 in online communities say they add deeply to their lives\" class=\"wp-image-692002 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Online communities are widely seen as unique spaces and can add deeply to people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About a quarter of those in online communities say these places are highly valuable to them. A larger share \u2013 about four-in-ten \u2013 finds some value there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Together, about seven-in-ten say these spaces add something to their lives.<\/strong> Still, 29% of those who are part of online communities say they bring little to no value.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both younger and older adults tend to find at least some value in these places. But adults under 50 in them are more likely to say they add deeply to their lives, compared with older adults (32% vs. 20%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;what-are-people-taking-away-from-the-communities-they-go-to-most&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" id=\"what-are-people-taking-away-from-the-communities-they-go-to-most\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What are people taking away from the communities they go to most?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692003\"><img data-dominant-color=\"cbd8d7\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #cbd8d7;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-05.png?resize=480,623 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-05.png?resize=782,1015 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-05.png?resize=840,1090 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"545\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-05.png?w=420\" alt=\"An infographic showing that The online communities people visit most often cover a vast range of topics\" class=\"wp-image-692003 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It\u2019s common to be part of multiple online communities. In fact, 85% of those in online communities are part of more than one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To better understand people\u2019s experiences, we asked some questions about the one they visit most often.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">First, we asked people to tell us in a few words what the focus of their most-visited community is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These covered a vast array of topics, such as a specific hobby, neighborhood, musical group, medical condition or identity, for example. Other communities focused on connecting and talking with others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\" id=\"only-find-online\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692004\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e0e3e3\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e0e3e3;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-06.png?resize=480,523 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-06.png?resize=620,676 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"338\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-06.png?w=310\" alt=\"A bar chart showing Online communities are largely seen as providing something that people can\u2019t find offline\" class=\"wp-image-692004 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not only do some people find deep value in these spaces, but many also see them as offering something unique that they cannot get elsewhere. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About six-in-ten in online communities say their most-visited one is something they could only find online.<\/strong> A smaller share says it\u2019s something they could find elsewhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;what-motivates-people-to-turn-to-online-communities&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" id=\"what-motivates-people-to-turn-to-online-communities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What motivates people to turn to online communities?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692005\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d6e1e9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d6e1e9;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-07.png?resize=480,583 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-07.png?resize=782,950 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-07.png?resize=840,1020 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"510\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-07.png?w=420\" alt=\"A bar chart showing Information and fun are among the top reasons people go to online communities\" class=\"wp-image-692005 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People seek out online communities for a variety of reasons, but there are three near the top of our list: to stay informed, for fun or to get advice or recommendations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About eight-in-ten or more say they go to their most-visited community for each of these. This includes more than half who cite information and fun as <em>major<\/em> reasons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Smaller shares \u2013 though still majorities \u2013 say a major or minor reason they visit their go-to space is to share their thoughts or get support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Just over half also say they go there because they feel accepted. And fewer say it\u2019s to meet new people or for the drama.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692006\"><img data-dominant-color=\"f2f2f2\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #f2f2f2;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-08.png?resize=480,623 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-08.png?resize=782,1015 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-08.png?resize=840,1090 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"545\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-08.png?w=420\" alt=\"A dot plot chart showing Young adults stand out for going to online communities for connections, acceptance and drama\" class=\"wp-image-692006 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Young adults are more likely than older age groups to turn to online communities because they feel accepted or to meet new people \u2013 but also for the drama.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, when asked about their most-visited online community, roughly six-in-ten under 30 say they go there to meet new people. Among those in their 30s and 40s, fewer (46%) say the same. And this share drops further for those 50 and older.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The pattern is similar for seeing if there\u2019s drama or feeling accepted. But those in their 30s and 40s are just as likely as young adults to go to these places for support, advice or recommendations, or to share their thoughts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And on some reasons \u2013 like staying informed \u2013 there is little difference by age. Most across groups say this is a motivator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;connection-in-online-communities&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" id=\"connection-in-online-communities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Connection in online communities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There are many ways online communities can bring value to people\u2019s lives. All told, meeting people is fairly low on the list of motivators. We see that reflected in people\u2019s feelings, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-310-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692007\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e6eaee\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e6eaee;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-09.png?resize=480,495 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-09.png?resize=620,640 620w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"320\" width=\"310\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-09.png?w=310\" alt=\"A bar chart showing Nearly half aren\u2019t close with others in their go-to online community\" class=\"wp-image-692007 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">About one-in-five say they feel extremely or very close to others in these spaces, and an additional 37% feel somewhat close.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>But<\/strong> <strong>nearly half don\u2019t feel very close to others in their most-visited community.<\/strong> That includes 14% who don\u2019t feel close at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People tend to start fresh in these spaces. Most (68%) knew very few or none of the people there before joining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And it\u2019s less common to feel close to others if you knew few people starting out. Of those who knew very few or no one, about one-in-ten say they feel extremely or very close to people there today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even so, <strong>these spaces start conversations that are often part of members\u2019 daily lives.<\/strong> The vast majority of those in online communities \u2013 74% \u2013 say they ever post or share in the one they visit most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And nearly six-in-ten (56%) say they go to their most-visited community every day. That\u2019s one-in-five U.S. adults overall who say they\u2019re in an online community daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not all online communities are limited to the internet. In some, the line between online and offline is blurred. When asked about their most-visited space, <strong>about a third say that it has in-person gatherings, too.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-200-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692008\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d9dee4\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d9dee4;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-10.png?resize=410,1060 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"517\" width=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-10.png?w=200\" alt=\"A pie chart showing Roughly 1 in 3 say their go-to online community has in-person meetups\" class=\"wp-image-692008 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 data-is-section=\"true\" data-wp-context=\"{&quot;id&quot;:&quot;is-online-connection-meaningful&quot;}\" data-wp-interactive=\"{&quot;namespace&quot;:&quot;prc-block\\\/table-of-contents&quot;}\" id=\"is-online-connection-meaningful\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is online connection meaningful?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-420-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692009\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e6e8e5\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e6e8e5;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-11.png?resize=480,427 480w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-11.png?resize=782,696 782w, https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-11.png?resize=840,748 840w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"374\" width=\"420\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-11.png?w=420\" alt=\"A bar chart showing Younger adults are more likely to say online relationships are just as meaningful as in-person ones\" class=\"wp-image-692009 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we ask Americans for their take on online relationships more broadly \u2013 regardless of if they\u2019re in an online community or not \u2013 we find many doubt the value of online connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>About half of Americans overall say personal relationships formed online are not as meaningful as in-person ones.<\/strong> About one-third say they can be just as meaningful, while 20% aren\u2019t sure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But views on this issue vary a lot by age. Adults under 30 are the only age group in which more say online relationships can be just as meaningful, than say they don\u2019t measure up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And while a quarter of those who are <em>not<\/em> in an online community find digital connection on par with in-person, this rises to 48% of those who are in one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-200-wide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/?attachment_id=692010\"><img data-dominant-color=\"e4e6e0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" style=\"--dominant-color: #e4e6e0;\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\"  srcset=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-12.png?resize=410,950 410w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 480px) 480px, (max-width: 782px) 782px, 640px\" height=\"463\" width=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_0-12.png?w=200\" alt=\"A pie chart showing More say the internet divides than connects. Many think it does both\" class=\"wp-image-692010 not-transparent\"\/><\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Skepticism also shows up in broader views of the internet\u2019s role in how people relate to each other. More Americans say the internet tends to drive people apart, than think it tends to bring them together (31% vs. 11%).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But by far the largest share \u2013 58% \u2013 thinks the internet does both about equally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike when we ask about relationships, there\u2019s little difference by age here. Across groups, more say the internet divides than unites. And the largest shares in each group say it does both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These tensions can be felt in online communities, too. The ones people visit most often are widely viewed as respectful. Still, tone can cross a line: Too much arguing is among the reasons why people leave online communities, though not the most common one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Read more about<\/em> <em><a href=\"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/about-a-third-of-americans-have-left-an-online-community\/\">who has left an online community \u2013 and why<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults are in an online community. These virtual third spaces can take many forms, like Facebook groups, online video games or fandom forums on Reddit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":377,"featured_media":694957,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"sub_headline":"","sub_title":"Nearly 4 in 10 U.S. adults \u2013 including about half of those 18 to 29 \u2013 are part of an online community","_prc_public_revisions":[],"_ppp_expiration_hours":0,"_ppp_enabled":false,"wpai_generated_summary":"","apple_news_api_id":"","apple_news_api_revision":"","apple_news_api_created_at":"","apple_news_api_modified_at":"","apple_news_api_share_url":"","apple_news_api_pending":"","apple_news_is_preview":true,"apple_news_is_hidden":true,"relatedPosts":[{"key":"_82cfl6ucf","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2026\/10\/07\/how-do-americans-engage-with-news-online\/","postId":692099,"title":"How Do Americans Engage With News Online?","date":"2026-10-07 12:52:37","label":"How Do Americans Engage With News Online?"},{"key":"_212s1zra0","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/10\/12\/what-does-friendship-look-like-in-america\/","postId":7897,"title":"What does friendship look like in America?\u00a0\u00a0","date":"2023-10-12 09:54:58","label":"What does friendship look like in America?\u00a0\u00a0"},{"key":"_8w44pldc0","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2026\/10\/07\/what-do-health-and-wellness-influencers-post-about\/","postId":637352,"title":"What Do Health and Wellness Influencers Post About?","date":"2026-10-07","label":"Report"},{"key":"_fivxua745","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/04\/15\/teens-experiences-on-tiktok-instagram-and-snapchat\/","postId":298978,"title":"Teens\u2019 Experiences on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat","date":"2026-04-15 09:55:24","label":"Teens\u2019 Experiences on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat"},{"key":"_3m2u53fkr","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2024\/06\/12\/how-americans-navigate-politics-on-tiktok-x-facebook-and-instagram\/","postId":170603,"title":"How Americans Navigate Politics on TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram","date":"2024-06-12 09:55:36","label":"How Americans Navigate Politics on TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram"}],"reportMaterials":[{"key":"_jxa9613y2","type":"report","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_REPORT.pdf","label":"Report PDF","attachmentId":694712,"icon":""},{"key":"_mo7s9ivro","type":"questionnaire","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_Questionnaire.pdf","label":"Questionnaire","attachmentId":692361,"icon":""},{"key":"_rf1uyhknj","type":"topline","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_TOPLINE.pdf","label":"Topline","attachmentId":694608,"icon":""}],"multiSectionReport":[{"key":"_857w7a7f7","postId":689221},{"key":"_0m2152zmt","postId":689225},{"key":"_8uzaudrpq","postId":689238},{"key":"_cavq85z89","postId":689240},{"key":"_mkjty1v1i","postId":689243}],"package_parts__enabled":false,"package_parts":[],"datacite_doi":"","datacite_doi_citation":"","_prc_seo_qr_attachment_id":0,"spoken_article_player_enabled":true,"displayBylines":true,"footnotes":"","prc_watchers":[377,359],"_prc_fork_parent":0,"_prc_fork_status":"","_prc_active_fork":0},"categories":[231,34,274,307],"tags":[],"bylines":[667,564,981,645,940,588],"datasets":[],"level_of_effort":[],"primary_audience":[],"information_type":[],"_post_visibility":[],"formats":[458],"_fund_pool":[2389],"languages":[],"regions-countries":[],"research-teams":[526],"workflow-status":[],"collection":[],"class_list":["post-689216","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-friendships","category-internet-technology","category-politics-online","category-social-media","bylines-colleen-mcclain","bylines-eugenie-park","bylines-jeffrey-gottfried","bylines-michelle-faverio","bylines-monica-anderson","bylines-olivia-sidoti","formats-report","research-teams-internet"],"label":"Report","post_parent":0,"word_count":2102,"canonical_url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/","art_direction":{"A1":{"id":694957,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_A1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_A1.png?w=564&h=317&crop=1","width":564,"height":317,"chartArt":false,"caption":""},"A2":{"id":694957,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_A1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_A1.png?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"chartArt":false,"caption":""},"A3":{"id":694958,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_Chart-art.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_Chart-art.png?w=194&h=110&crop=1","width":194,"height":110,"chartArt":false,"caption":""},"A4":{"id":694958,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_Chart-art.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_Chart-art.png?w=268&h=151&crop=1","width":268,"height":151,"chartArt":false,"caption":""},"XL":{"id":694957,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_A1.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_A1.png?w=720&h=405&crop=1","width":720,"height":405,"chartArt":false,"caption":""},"social":{"id":694960,"rawUrl":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_Socials-logo.png","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_Socials-logo.png?w=1200&h=628&crop=1","width":1200,"height":628,"chartArt":false,"caption":""}},"_embeds":[],"prc_checklist":{"prc-image-alt-text":{"status":"complete","message":"All images have alt text.","data":null},"prc-about-this-research":{"status":"complete","message":"Found an \"About this research\" details block.","data":null},"prc-paragraph-count":{"status":"complete","message":"Found 62 paragraphs.","data":{"count":62}},"prc-internal-link":{"status":"complete","message":"Found 32 internal links.","data":{"count":32}},"prc-environment-link":{"status":"complete","message":"No links to other Pew Research environments.","data":{"count":0,"hosts":[]}}},"watchChildPosts":false,"watchers":[{"id":377,"name":"Sara Atske","email":"satske@pewresearch.org","slack_user_id":"","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/499a853e28aa044e16889d91f455efbc21a0cbd9d5fa5e81ffe0a551062bd540?s=48&d=mm&r=g"},{"id":359,"name":"Seth Rubenstein","email":"srubenstein@pewresearch.org","slack_user_id":"U09H7DZ16","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1dbea249f39ebe090ce44bf103c993dd29d56dda5b94f70525222d7a728cc7bb?s=48&d=mm&r=g"}],"table_of_contents":[{"id":689216,"title":"Online Community and Connection in America","slug":"online-community-and-connection-in-america","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/","is_active":true},{"id":689221,"title":"Online Communities Rarely Focus on Politics, and Many Say It Should Stay That Way","slug":"online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way\/","is_active":false},{"id":689225,"title":"About a Third of Americans Have Left an Online Community","slug":"about-a-third-of-americans-have-left-an-online-community","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/about-a-third-of-americans-have-left-an-online-community\/","is_active":false},{"id":689238,"title":"Appendix: Who Is Part of an Online Community?","slug":"appendix-who-is-part-of-an-online-community","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/appendix-who-is-part-of-an-online-community\/","is_active":false},{"id":689240,"title":"Acknowledgments","slug":"online-communities-acknowledgments","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-acknowledgments\/","is_active":false},{"id":689243,"title":"Methodology","slug":"online-communities-methodology","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-methodology\/","is_active":false}],"report_materials":[{"key":"_jxa9613y2","type":"report","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_REPORT.pdf","label":"Report PDF","attachmentId":694712,"icon":""},{"key":"_mo7s9ivro","type":"questionnaire","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_Questionnaire.pdf","label":"Questionnaire","attachmentId":692361,"icon":""},{"key":"_rf1uyhknj","type":"topline","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_TOPLINE.pdf","label":"Topline","attachmentId":694608,"icon":""}],"report_pagination":{"current_post":{"id":689216,"title":"Online Community and Connection in America","slug":"online-community-and-connection-in-america","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/","is_active":true,"page_num":1},"next_post":{"id":689221,"title":"Online Communities Rarely Focus on Politics, and Many Say It Should Stay That Way","slug":"online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way\/","is_active":false,"page_num":2},"previous_post":null,"pagination_items":[{"id":689216,"title":"Online Community and Connection in America","slug":"online-community-and-connection-in-america","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-community-and-connection-in-america\/","is_active":true,"page_num":1},{"id":689221,"title":"Online Communities Rarely Focus on Politics, and Many Say It Should Stay That Way","slug":"online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-rarely-focus-on-politics-and-many-say-it-should-stay-that-way\/","is_active":false,"page_num":2},{"id":689225,"title":"About a Third of Americans Have Left an Online Community","slug":"about-a-third-of-americans-have-left-an-online-community","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/about-a-third-of-americans-have-left-an-online-community\/","is_active":false,"page_num":3},{"id":689238,"title":"Appendix: Who Is Part of an Online Community?","slug":"appendix-who-is-part-of-an-online-community","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/appendix-who-is-part-of-an-online-community\/","is_active":false,"page_num":4},{"id":689240,"title":"Acknowledgments","slug":"online-communities-acknowledgments","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-acknowledgments\/","is_active":false,"page_num":5},{"id":689243,"title":"Methodology","slug":"online-communities-methodology","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/10\/14\/online-communities-methodology\/","is_active":false,"page_num":6}]},"parent_info":{"parent_title":"Online Community and Connection in America","parent_id":689216},"materialsOrdered":[{"key":"_jxa9613y2","type":"report","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_REPORT.pdf","label":"Report PDF","attachmentId":694712,"icon":""},{"key":"_mo7s9ivro","type":"questionnaire","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_Questionnaire.pdf","label":"Questionnaire","attachmentId":692361,"icon":""},{"key":"_rf1uyhknj","type":"topline","url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_Online-Communities_TOPLINE.pdf","label":"Topline","attachmentId":694608,"icon":""}],"chaptersOrdered":[{"key":"_857w7a7f7","postId":689221},{"key":"_0m2152zmt","postId":689225},{"key":"_8uzaudrpq","postId":689238},{"key":"_cavq85z89","postId":689240},{"key":"_mkjty1v1i","postId":689243}],"partsOrdered":[],"partsEnabled":false,"datacite_doi":"","prc_seo_data":{"title":"Online Community and Connection in America","description":"Nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults are in an online community. These virtual third spaces can take many forms, like Facebook groups, online video games or fandom forums on Reddit.","og_title":"Online Community and Connection in America","og_description":"Nearly four-in-ten U.S. adults are in an online community. These virtual third spaces can take many forms, like Facebook groups, online video games or fandom forums on Reddit.","schema_type":"Article","noindex":false,"canonical_url":"","primary_terms":{"category":307},"custom_schema":[],"og_image":694960,"indexnow_submitted_at":1791993090,"gsc_index_status":{"verdict":"PASS","coverage_state":"Submitted and indexed","robotstxt_state":"ALLOWED","indexing_state":"INDEXING_ALLOWED","last_crawl_time":"2026-10-16T04:18:45Z","page_fetch_state":"SUCCESSFUL","crawled_as":"MOBILE","mobile_verdict":"VERDICT_UNSPECIFIED","mobile_issues":[],"rich_results_verdict":"PASS","rich_results_issues":[],"inspection_link":"https:\/\/search.google.com\/search-console\/inspect?resource_id=sc-domain:pewresearch.org&id=SvxakL212B4-uBt7t9DPNA&utm_medium=link&utm_source=api","fetched_at":1792167266}},"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2026\/10\/PI_2026.10.14_online-communities_Feature_A1.png","relatedPostsOrdered":[{"date":"2026-10-07 12:52:37","key":"_82cfl6ucf","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2026\/10\/07\/how-do-americans-engage-with-news-online\/","permalink":"","postId":692099,"title":"How Do Americans Engage With News Online?","label":"How Do Americans Engage With News Online?"},{"date":"2023-10-12 09:54:58","key":"_212s1zra0","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/short-reads\/2023\/10\/12\/what-does-friendship-look-like-in-america\/","permalink":"","postId":7897,"title":"What does friendship look like in America?\u00a0\u00a0","label":"What does friendship look like in America?\u00a0\u00a0"},{"date":"2026-10-07","key":"_8w44pldc0","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/data-labs\/2026\/10\/07\/what-do-health-and-wellness-influencers-post-about\/","permalink":"","postId":637352,"title":"What Do Health and Wellness Influencers Post About?","label":"Report"},{"date":"2026-04-15 09:55:24","key":"_fivxua745","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2026\/04\/15\/teens-experiences-on-tiktok-instagram-and-snapchat\/","permalink":"","postId":298978,"title":"Teens\u2019 Experiences on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat","label":"Teens\u2019 Experiences on TikTok, Instagram and Snapchat"},{"date":"2024-06-12 09:55:36","key":"_3m2u53fkr","link":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/internet\/2024\/06\/12\/how-americans-navigate-politics-on-tiktok-x-facebook-and-instagram\/","permalink":"","postId":170603,"title":"How Americans Navigate Politics on TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram","label":"How Americans Navigate Politics on TikTok, X, Facebook and Instagram"}],"bylinesOrdered":[{"key":"_yfbltgt2z","termId":667},{"key":"_5e2qw5kuw","termId":981},{"key":"_hgm6zudwo","termId":564},{"key":"_jwcchr0lc","termId":645},{"key":"_0mb507igr","termId":588},{"key":"_5tau5u427","termId":940}],"acknowledgementsOrdered":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/689216","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/377"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=689216"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/689216\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":698978,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/689216\/revisions\/698978"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/694957"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=689216"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"bylines","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/bylines?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"datasets","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/datasets?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"level_of_effort","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/level_of_effort?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"primary_audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/primary_audience?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"information_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/information_type?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"_post_visibility","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_post_visibility?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"formats","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/formats?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"_fund_pool","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/_fund_pool?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"languages","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/languages?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"regions-countries","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/regions-countries?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"research-teams","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/research-teams?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"workflow-status","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/workflow-status?post=689216"},{"taxonomy":"collection","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/alpha.pewresearch.org\/pewresearch-org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/collection?post=689216"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}