The North Star is your go-to destination for exploring social media trends and look at the rich history behind the platforms we use every day. Whether you’re seeking fresh tools to deepen your connections with friends or curious about how new apps like Favs are transforming online interactions.
FRIENDMAP
The Comfort of Presence Without Precision
Sometimes, you want to know where your friends are—without knowing exactly where they are. FriendMap makes that possible.
LOCATION-SHARING APPS
The Social Map Apps You Haven’t Heard Of
Location-sharing social apps have come and gone, but only a few have left a mark. Here are the ones you probably missed.
LOCATION-SHARING
Why Facebook and Instagram Won’t Build a Social Map
eta has the resources to launch a location-sharing app—but they won’t. Here’s why a real-time social map doesn’t fit their world.
LOCATION-SHARING APP
Can Technology Help Us See Friends More?
Social media keeps us connected, but are we actually seeing friends less? Here’s how tech can bring us closer.
FRIENDMAP
Solo Travel Is Incredible—But It Can Get Lonely
Traveling solo doesn’t have to mean feeling alone. FriendMap helps you see who’s nearby—so you always have a familiar face.
FRIENDMAP
The Psychology of Presence: Why Knowing Where People Are Makes Us Feel Connected
Just knowing where your friends are—without even texting—can make you feel closer. Here’s why presence matters.
FRIENDMAP
FriendMap: The Social Map That Brings You Closer
Seeing where friends are makes you feel connected. FriendMap isn’t about tracking—it’s about togetherness.
FRIENDMAP
Life360 vs. FriendMap: Social or Just Tracking?
Life360 is for safety and tracking. FriendMap is for fun and meeting up. Both show location, but only one brings people together.
FRIENDMAP
Never Travel Alone Again: How FriendMap Helps Travel Influencers Stay Connected
Travel influencers move fast. FriendMap makes sure you always know who’s around—no group chats required.
LOCATION-SHARING
Apple’s Location Features: From Find My Friends to Check-Ins, How We Share in 2025
Apple has quietly built the most powerful location-sharing system—but is it actually social?
SOCIAL MAP APP
Gowalla’s Comeback—Can It Revive the Social Map That Foursquare Left Behind?
Gowalla was once the fun alternative to Foursquare. Now it’s back—can it succeed where others failed?
SOCIAL MAP APP
Foursquare vs. Swarm: The Rise, Fall, and Split of the Original Social Map
Foursquare was the king of check-ins. Then it split into two apps—Swarm and Foursquare. Was that a mistake?
SOCIAL RECOMMENDATION APP
Yelp Isn’t Just Reviews—It’s a Social App for Finding Where to Go
Yelp has been around for years, but its real power isn’t just reviews—it’s helping friends find places to go.
SOCIAL MAP APP
Zenly Was the Best Social Map—Why Did Snapchat Kill It?
Zenly changed how people saw their friends in real life. So why did Snapchat shut it down?
SOCIAL MAP APP
Life360: From Family Tracker to Social Map—Is It the Future of Seeing Friends?
Life360 started as a family tracking app, but can it become the go-to way to see friends in real life?
SOCIAL MAP APP
Find My Friends Was a Game-Changer—So Why Do We Use It Less Now?
Apple's Find My Friends made meeting up easier, but is it still the best way to stay connected?
SOCIAL MAP APP
Hack serendipity, and see your friends more IRL
The rise of Snap Map reshaped how we connect with friends in real life. But is it still the best way?
PRIVATE SOCIAL NETWORK
The Rise of Private Social Apps: Why Everyone is Leaving Instagram & Facebook
Big social media is crumbling. More people are ditching Instagram and Facebook in favor of private, smaller-scale apps designed for real friends.
EVENTS
The 5 Best Apps for Event RSVPs
Whether you're planning a party or a conference, picking the right app makes all the difference. Here are the five best event-planning apps right now.
EVENTS
Apple Finally Builds a Facebook Events Rival—But Is It Too Late?
Apple just launched Invites, its long-awaited answer to Facebook Events. After years of watching Meta dominate event planning, Apple is stepping in.
EVENTS
Apple’s ‘Invites’ App: A Not-So-Subtle Nod to Partiful
Apple just launched Invites, a new event-planning app that looks suspiciously familiar. Partiful, the viral party-inviting platform.
EPHEMERAL
From Gas to Explode: Nikita Bier’s Take on Disappearing Photos
Nikita Bier’s Explode lets you send disappearing photos and texts straight to iMessage—no extra app needed. Snap, set a timer, and watch them vanish.
CLOSE FRIENDS
Favs: The Refreshing Social Media Alternative You’ve Been Waiting For
A Privacy-Focused Social App for Close Friends—Your Healthier Alternative to AI-Heavy Facebook, Banned TikTok, and Chinese RedNote
How RedNote Compares to TikTok
RedNote vs. TikTok: A Tale of Two Social Commerce Platforms
TIKTOK
RedNote: The Chinese Lifestyle App Redefining Social Commerce
Explore how RedNote (Xiaohongshu) merges lifestyle inspiration, authentic reviews, and seamless shopping for a new era in social media. Join the wave?
AI Bots on Social Media: Shaping Relationships in the Digital Age
AI bots as users on social media are transforming how we interact online, affecting personal and collective relationships.
FRIENDSHIP TIPS
Strengthen Friendships in 2025: A Fresh Start
As we enter 2025, genuine friendships matter more than ever. Here’s how to nurture meaningful connections—and how Favs can make it easier.
FRIENDSHIP TIPS
Building Stronger Friendships in 2025
In a world of fleeting connections, genuine friendships is key. Here’s how to deepen bonds and prioritize meaningful relationships this year.
SOCIAL GAMING
Social Gaming: The New Playground for Emotional Connection
Social gaming has become a hub for emotional bonding, offering players a way to connect and express themselves - but is it enough to replace reality?
SOCIAL GAMING
Social Gaming Through the Ages: Evolution of Connection
Social gaming has evolved from local arcades to online worlds, redefining how we connect across decades and technological advancements.
Facebook’s AI Leap: Progress or a Step Too Far?
Facebook’s latest AI features may seem groundbreaking, but are they a sign of progress or a dangerous overreach into our digital lives?
SOCIAL NETWORK
Facebook’s New AI Features: The Rise of a Digital Dystopia
Facebook’s new AI-powered user features blur the line between innovation and dystopia, raising questions about privacy, ethics, and control.
TIKTOK BAN
Could Elon Musk Buy TikTok? Examining the Possibility
Intro: Elon Musk shook the tech world with his $44B Twitter purchase. Could TikTok, valued at $300B, be his next bold move? Here's what it would take.
MENTAL HEALTH
A Social Media Solution for Better Teen Mental Health
Social media has impacted teen mental health, but Favs offers a safe, ad-free space to connect authentically with real friends.
MENTAL HEALTH
Social Media and Teen Mental Health: Navigating the Digital Impact
Exploring the growing mental health challenges teens face due to social media and how to cultivate healthier online habits.
FRIENDSHIP
The Friendship Fix: What They Don’t Teach in School
Friendship is a skill no one teaches but everyone needs. It takes effort, small acts, and care to keep connections alive. Here’s how to make it work.
SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS
Favs: The Social App Influencers Didn’t Know They Needed
For influencers, social media is work. Favs offers a private space for real friends—no fans, no likes, just genuine connections.
PHONE ADDICTION
Kids, Screens, and Social Media: Finding Balance in a Digital World
Parents worry about screens and social media—how much is too much? Let’s unpack the impact on kids and how to create healthier habits together.
PHONE ADDICTION
Breaking the Scroll: Phone Addiction
Social media connects us, but at what cost? Here’s why we're hooked, how it affects us, and how to reclaim our time and focus.
SOCIAL EVENTS
Partiful vs. Luma
Planning an event? Discover the key differences between Partiful and Luma, two platforms tailored for casual parties and community-driven events.
APPLE
How an Apple Veteran Crafted the Best Flight-Tracking App
Flighty soared to finalist status in 2023. Here’s why its smart flight tracking—created by an Apple-savvy founder—is still winning.
SOCIAL APP AWARD
Partiful Crowned “App of the Year”—And a Timothée Chalamet Lookalike Competition Helped Show Why
Partiful just won App of the Year. From everyday gatherings to a Timothée Chalamet lookalike event, here’s how it soared to the top of event planning.
SOCIAL MEDIA BANS
Why TikTok Is Getting Banned: Understanding the Concerns
Why is TikTok getting banned? Governments fear data misuse and security threats, shaping a global debate on privacy and free expression.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Social Media Bans: Why They Happen and What They Mean
From China's Great Firewall to under-16 bans in Australia, here's why social keeps getting blocked—and what it means for us all around the globe.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Could Snapchat’s Spotlight Steal the Show? Life After a TikTok Ban
If TikTok takes a hit, could Snapchat’s Spotlight step up? Let’s explore how Snap might become the next home for short-form video creators.
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Ready for the Spotlight: Why Instagram Reels Could Thrive if TikTok Gets Banned
If TikTok faces a ban, Instagram Reels might step into the spotlight. Explore how IG could become short-form creators’ next big stage!
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
TikTok’s Possible Exit: How YouTube Shorts Could Take Center Stage
A TikTok ban could empower YouTube Shorts to rise fast. Discover how YouTube can claim short-form success and delight creators worldwide!
SOCIAL MEDIA BAN
Could a TikTok Ban Propel X to the Top? Real-Time and Short-Form Converge
If TikTok disappears, how might X fill the gap? Let’s dive into how the platform’s real-time vibe could fuse with short-video appeal in a th new era.
SOCIAL GAMES
Top Questions from We're Not Really Strangers
You've played the game, maybe even answered the questions, but have you ever asked why some of the questions exist? Here we break it down for you.
SOCIAL GAMES
The Evolution of We're Not Really Strangers
From street photography to a global movement, learn how Koreen created WNRS, the card game transforming relationships and fostering authenticity.
Featured
LOCATION-SHARING
Apple’s Location Features: From Find My Friends to Check-Ins, How We Share in 2025
EVENTS
Apple’s ‘Invites’ App: A Not-So-Subtle Nod to Partiful
FRIENDSHIP TIPS
Strengthen Friendships in 2025: A Fresh Start
MENTAL HEALTH
A Social Media Solution for Better Teen Mental Health
FRIENDSHIP
The Friendship Fix: What They Don’t Teach in School
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