Recently, two new social media platforms, Post and Spill, have emerged in the tech landscape, founded by a team of ex-Twitter employees. Post, a publisher-focused alternative to Twitter, has introduced its iOS application, while Spill has launched an invite-only beta version on the App Store. These platforms aim to offer users unique experiences with different approaches to content consumption and engagement.
Post, which entered beta shortly after Twitter’s acquisition by Elon Musk, seeks to revolutionize how people consume news on social media. The app presents users with three distinct feeds: following, exploring, and information. The news tab delivers a stream of new articles from the Post’s publishing partners. Although headlines and article previews are free, users need to make microtransactions using “points” to access full articles within the Post app.
According to TechCrunch, Post currently ensures publishers receive 100% of the earnings generated from these micropayments. However, the revenue-sharing arrangement may change as Post looks to establish its profitability. The company revealed that premium publishers presently enjoy an average of $30 CPM equivalents for paid content, along with an average of $1.3 CPM equivalent from tips for free content.
Alphonzo “Phonz” Terrell, former global head of social and editorial at Twitter and now CEO of Spill, is leading another notable social platform. Spill has introduced an invite-only beta version on the App Store, offering a visually-oriented, multimedia microblogging experience reminiscent of Tumblr. Upon opening the app, users are greeted with a feed displaying recent posts from accounts they follow, as well as algorithmically served content. The platform allows users to post text, gifs, videos, photos, links, and polls.
What sets Spill apart from its competitors is its focus on building diverse communities from the start, rather than as an afterthought. Terrell emphasizes that Spill’s mission is to create a superior platform for all by centering on underserved culture drivers. During its alpha phase, the platform actively sought out and onboarded Black and queer creators, recognizing their contributions to setting trends and creating memes. This approach has resonated organically with the Spill team, as they themselves hail from these communities.
Kenya Parham, Spill’s global VP of community and partnerships, explains the significance of prioritizing diverse voices: “On every other platform, culture drivers — Black and brown folks, marginalized folks, queer folks — have had to kind of elbow to create space… We’re starting off with them at the front of the line, and we think that’s going to create a really healthy ecosystem.”
As these two platforms make their debut, they bring a renewed focus on alternative approaches to content consumption and engagement. Post’s publisher-centric model, accompanied by its microtransaction system, aims to reshape news consumption and monetization. Meanwhile, Spill captivates users with its visually appealing, algorithmically curated multimedia posts.
While both platforms are still in the beta stage, they have ambitious plans for the future. Spill intends to develop its own custom large language model for content moderation, addressing the limitations of existing models in understanding Black dialects such as AAVE. Additionally, Spill plans to incorporate blockchain-based creator features to reward users who initiate viral trends.
Post and Spill offer users fresh alternatives to traditional social media platforms, each with its own distinctive features and focus. Post targets news consumption and monetization, while Spill prioritizes diverse communities from its inception. As these platforms evolve, they are likely to shape the future of social media by catering to specific user needs and providing innovative content experiences.
