When the pandemic forced billions of people indoors back in 2020, engaging online communities suddenly became an essential part of everyday life. In 2025, however, the communication landscape is vastly different. The once-novel shift to virtual experiences has become normalized, and platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Discord, and others dominate the group communication market. So, how do you build and sustain an online community that stands out? How can smaller platforms, independent brands, or niche websites create vibrant community experiences on their own turf?

In this article, we’ll explore the current state of online community engagement, discuss the shifting challenges of user behavior, and offer practical strategies for creating an online community that truly thrives in the post-pandemic digital era.

The Landscape of Online Community Building

In the past five years, online communities have migrated away from traditional, standalone forums and on-site chat rooms. The pandemic accelerated the widespread adoption of all-in-one solutions like Slack, Discord, and Microsoft Teams. Many of these platforms—and the communities that have formed on them—were originally centered around either gaming (Discord), workplace collaboration (Slack, Teams), or large social networks (Facebook Groups).

But with the resurgence of “niche” and interest-based communities, this consolidation poses a challenge for organizations or creators who want to maintain community engagement on their own websites. If everyone is used to Slack or Discord, then why should they sign up for an additional platform?

The first step to building engaging online communities in 2025 is to accept that user behavior has changed. People value convenience, familiarity, and security. They want easy logins, mobile-friendly interfaces, and minimal friction. To stand out, community builders and website owners must offer a clear value proposition for why members should interact on their platform, rather than relying on an external solution.

Key Challenges Facing Community Builders

Because communities are growing, community builders are having a hard time keeping up with the demand.

1. Platform Fatigue

With so many existing tools, users are suffering from “platform fatigue.” Few people want to juggle numerous separate logins, accounts, and chat apps. Familiar, consolidated environments like Slack or Discord are attractive precisely because they let individuals participate in multiple servers or channels without multiple sign-ins.

What to do: If you want to host your own community platform, then minimize friction. Consider single sign-on (SSO) integration if members already have accounts on your site. Then, use an embedded chat or forum solution that doesn’t force people through complicated sign-up steps. Offer clear instructions for newcomers and, if possible, allow social login for quick access.

2. Shifting User Expectations

Modern users want more than just a message board or basic chat. They expect advanced functionality—threaded discussions, rich media, voice/video, and robust moderation tools. A bare-bones text box with little customization or low engagement can quickly turn off visitors.

What to do: Offer depth and interactivity. Implement features like pinned messages, polls, Q&A modes, or live video events to keep your community engaged. For instance, a structured Q&A session with an industry expert can bring a community to life. Moderation tools are also a must, especially if your community spans different time zones or caters to sensitive topics.

3. Content Overload

Social media and 24/7 news cycles have created a noisy digital world. It’s harder than ever for a small community to stand out amid the roar of notifications, newsletters, and Instagram stories.

What to do: Curate quality content that encourages return visits. It can be exclusive insights, educational resources, or unique discussion prompts that members can’t find elsewhere. The more value you provide, the better your community members will filter out the noise to engage in your space.

4. Privacy and Security Concerns

As data breaches and privacy scandals mount, users are more cautious about where they share personal information. They also want confidence that their discussions won’t be exploited or exposed to third parties.

What to do: Communicate your data practices openly. Implement strong moderation policies, encrypt data, and ideally, choose platforms or solutions that let you fully own user data. This can be a differentiator if your audience values privacy or operates in regulated industries (e.g., healthcare or finance).

The Value of On-Site Community Platforms

Despite the convenience and familiarity of mega-platforms, there are compelling reasons to build your own community directly on your website or app:

1. Brand Identity & Ownership: With an on-site solution, you maintain full control of branding and user experience. There’s no risk of competing platform notifications or external ads. You can also customize the interface to reflect your community’s culture.
2. Monetization Opportunities: It’s easier to introduce paywalled content, paid membership tiers, or exclusive events on your own platform. Embeddable group chats, for example, often come with built-in monetization features like tip jars or pay-to-join chat rooms.
3. Focused Engagement: When members engage on your site, they’re exposed to your content, products, or services. This leads to deeper relationships and can even help with conversion rates if you sell courses, products, or consultations.
4. Data & Analytics: Gathering first-party data on community behavior can be invaluable for improving your services, identifying knowledge gaps, or launching new features. Relying solely on external platforms makes that data harder to collect or control.

That said, building a community from scratch requires mindful strategy. People won’t join just because the platform exists—you need a compelling reason for them to participate.

Strategies for Building Engaging Online Communities

To keep up with the trends and demand, here are some strategies that can help you build engaging online communities.

1. Niche Down for Clarity

Focus on a specific audience or use case. Communities that are too broad or generic often struggle to gain traction. For instance, instead of creating a general “marketing professionals” community, consider narrowing down to “digital marketing experts in higher education” or “content marketers using AI tools.” The narrower the focus, the more relevant and valuable discussions become for members.

2. Provide Clear Value

Ask yourself: “Why should someone join my community?” The answer must go beyond “we have a chat room.” Offer exclusive resources, insider tips, behind-the-scenes content, or expert AMAs (Ask Me Anything sessions). If your website is for educators, you might provide downloadable lesson plans or hold weekly teaching strategy discussions. If you host a live podcast, you can enable a subscriber-only chat that features direct interactions with guests and free giveaways.

3. Foster a Welcoming Culture

A positive environment encourages repeat visits and word-of-mouth. Set ground rules for respectful communication and swiftly address harassment or spam. Consider implementing moderated Q&A, where all messages get reviewed by a moderator before appearing publicly. This can be especially useful during live streaming events when chat volume can be high.

Providing warm welcomes to newcomers is another way to encourage engagement. Automate greeting messages or have volunteers “buddy up” with new members to help them feel at home. If they have a positive first experience, they’re more likely to stick around.

4. Cultivate Regular Programming

Communities often need scheduled activities or content drops to remain lively. These can include the following:

• Weekly Discussion Threads: Launch a new topic every Monday to spark conversation.
• Live Q&A Sessions: Invite subject-matter experts or internal team members to field community questions in real-time.
• Showcases or Spotlights: Highlight a member’s project or achievement to celebrate progress and inspire others.
• Competitions: Host contests that reward creativity or knowledge-sharing.

Varied programming appeals to different engagement styles—some members like synchronous real-time discussions, others prefer asynchronous threads to catch up on their own time.

5. Integrate Seamlessly

In 2025, frictionless user experiences are non-negotiable. If you opt for an embeddable chat solution, ensure it integrates cleanly with your content management system (e.g., WordPress, Wix), learning management system, or event platform. Single sign-on (SSO) is highly recommended so users can transition from browsing your articles or courses to joining the chat without re-authenticating.

6. Encourage User-Generated Content (UGC)

UGC is the lifeblood of an active community. Prompt members to share their own stories, solutions, or case studies. Recognize top contributors, either through badges or formal roles (like “Community Ambassador”). This also provides social incentive for people to keep posting and participating.

7. Measure and Adapt

Monitor community health metrics such as:

• Engagement Rate: Number of active users and frequency of posts.
• Retention: How many members keep coming back vs. drop off.
• Qualitative Feedback: Are members satisfied with moderation, features, and content?

Regularly solicit feedback through polls or surveys to see where you can improve. For instance, if users consistently request a forum for asynchronous discussion, consider adding one alongside real-time chat.

Leveraging Technology for a Great Experience

Engaging online communities rely on technology to connect with friends and peers. So, what can you use to create one? The following are options you can choose from.

Embeddable Group Chats

Tools like RumbleTalk, Chatwee, Minnit, and others give you an instant community channel on your website. They often come with customizable themes, moderated modes, user role management, and integration options. Many also allow for monetized chats (e.g., charging attendees for special events or enabling donations).

Custom-Branded Platforms

If you need advanced functionality like member directories, course integrations, or robust analytics, consider platforms like Mighty Networks, Circle, or an open-source forum software like Discourse. These can be embedded or operated as standalone portals, but typically require more setup and investment.

Third-Party Integrations

For live events, you may embed a YouTube or Vimeo livestream alongside a dedicated chat widget. If you run a learning community, then you could also integrate Zoom or Microsoft Teams for scheduled group calls and record them for members who can’t attend live. Use webhooks or APIs to connect your community platform with email marketing tools so new content or events get automatically announced.

Case Study: Engaging Communities in Education

Consider a university that wants to boost student engagement in 2025. Rather than relying on old-school forum discussions, the university opts for an embeddable chat solution within its learning management system (LMS). Here’s how they maximize engagement:

1. Single Sign-On: Students access the chat with their existing university credentials.
2. Scheduled Weekly Q&As: Professors hold real-time discussion sessions on different topics each week.
3. Moderated Chat: Teaching assistants review messages to ensure respectful dialogue.
4. Resource Sharing: Students share relevant research links and study tips, which remain pinned for easy reference.
5. Feedback Polls: The chat widget includes a live polling feature, allowing professors to gauge student comprehension instantly.

By making the chat an integral part of the course experience, the university saw student participation rates climb. Students felt a sense of community and continuity, more like a virtual classroom than a random chat on an external platform.

Case Study: Member-Only Events for Content Creators

Imagine a content creator who hosts live podcasts and wants to give their audience something special. They decide to embed a private chat on their subscription-based website. Subscribers gain access to the live chat whenever the creator is streaming—plus they can ask questions, submit song requests, or just chat with fellow fans in real time.

The result? A sense of exclusivity and camaraderie that fosters brand loyalty. Fans are more willing to pay for a subscription if it includes direct interaction with the creator. Meanwhile, the creator benefits from deeper engagement, immediate feedback, and a more predictable revenue stream.

Forward-Looking Trends

Since engaging online communities are first this 2025, here are some trends you can look forward to.

AI and Machine Learning

In 2025, AI-driven features are making a splash in online communities. Automated moderation systems can flag inappropriate content and free up moderators to handle nuanced discussions. Recommendation engines suggest relevant discussions or members with shared interests, enhancing network building. If your community is large, then adopting these tools can save time and keep conversations more inclusive and constructive.

Micro-Communities

As large social networks become more saturated, there’s a growing trend toward smaller, higher-value communities. These so-called “micro-communities” are self-contained spaces of dedicated, like-minded individuals. Building one requires careful curation and quality control, but the payoff is a loyal, highly engaged user base.

Hybrid Virtual Events

Finally, virtual events have evolved with better technology and less friction. Many organizations are hosting hybrid events—live, in-person gatherings that simultaneously stream to online participants. A well-integrated chat solution can bridge the gap, enabling remote attendees to interact with on-site speakers and other virtual participants. This inclusivity can significantly expand reach.

Conclusion

In 2025, community is still king. People crave meaningful connections, specialized knowledge, and shared experiences—especially when they can’t find them in the increasingly generic social media feeds. By using powerful tools, fostering a welcoming environment, and focusing on the unique value of your community, you can stand out in a crowded digital universe.

Remember to:

• Define a niche and build resources tailored to those interests.
• Offer a frictionless experience through streamlined logins and integrations.
• Use structured programming (live events, Q&A sessions, etc.) to keep members interested.
• Moderate effectively to maintain a positive, inclusive culture.
• Experiment with monetization and exclusive perks that reward member loyalty.
• Adapt to changing technology, including AI-driven moderation or analytics.

If you nail these fundamentals, then your online community can flourish—no matter how crowded the marketplace becomes. Focus on genuine value, consistent engagement, and thoughtful platform choices, and you’ll create a vibrant digital home that members return to day after day.

Building engaging online communities in 2025 might be challenging, but with the right approach, your community can be the place everyone wants to be.

In the fast-paced world of virtual and hybrid live events, engaging your audience is more important than ever. Whether you are hosting a product launch, a conference, a music festival, or a live podcast, ensuring that your audience stays connected and involved throughout the event can be the difference between success and a disengaged crowd. This is where a tool for live events like a real-time chat solution integrated with your live stream can make all the difference.

Combining live-streaming video with an interactive chat platform creates a powerful engagement tool that keeps your audience involved, informed, and entertained. Let’s explore why a chat tool is the ultimate companion for any live event and how it can be easily integrated into your broadcast setup.

Why Interaction Matters at Live Events

Live events thrive on audience participation. Whether virtual, hybrid, or fully in-person, interaction is the key to making your event memorable and impactful. Here are some reasons why incorporating a tool for live events like a chat room can revolutionize your audience experience:

• Boost Engagement: Audiences are more likely to stay tuned when they can ask questions, give feedback, and share opinions during the event.
• Build a Community: Real-time conversations between attendees foster networking and a sense of belonging.
• Drive Audience Insights: Live chats allow event hosts to gather valuable feedback and understand audience sentiment instantly.
• Encourage Participation: Viewers who interact are more likely to remain focused and participate in polls, Q&A sessions, and other activities.

Key Features of a Chat Tool for Live Events

A chat tool designed specifically for live events should offer:

• Real-Time Messaging: Instant audience interaction without delay.
• Moderation Tools: The ability to control discussions, filter inappropriate content, and block disruptive users.
• Custom Branding: Customizable chat design to match your event’s theme.
• Private and Group Chats: Flexibility to enable public discussions or private messages.
• Audience Polling: Conduct polls and surveys during the event.
• Q&A Management: Organize audience questions and present them to speakers efficiently.

Use Cases for Live Event Interaction Tools

Where can you use these tools? Here are examples where individuals and big companies use them.

1. Corporate Webinars

Keep employees or stakeholders engaged during virtual presentations by allowing them to ask questions and respond to live polls.

2. Product Launches

Enable potential customers to interact with your team and receive immediate answers to their product queries.

3. Virtual Conferences

Facilitate networking and audience interaction by creating topic-specific chat rooms within the conference platform.

4. Online Music Festivals

Let fans interact during performances, request songs, and share their excitement.

5. Religious Services

Offer a space for prayer requests and community interaction during live-streamed services.

Easy Integration Using SDK and API

Adding an interactive chat room to your live event is easier than you might think. With the help of an SDK (Software Development Kit) and an API (Application Programming Interface), you can integrate a chat tool into your event platform seamlessly.

SDK for User Integration

The SDK is perfect for integrating your event’s user base into the chat. It enables auto-login so that participants can access the chat without needing to sign in separately. This can be implemented manually or through the built-in functionality available in RumbleTalk’s WordPress Plugin.

REST API for Custom Chat Solutions

Using the REST API, you can create custom chat rooms, manage user roles, and enable auto-login features. This is particularly useful for large-scale events requiring unique chat configurations.

Here’s an example of PHP code using the RumbleTalk API to create a user and enable auto-login:

<?php

$api_key = 'YOUR_API_KEY';

$api_secret = 'YOUR_API_SECRET';

$url = 'https://api.rumbletalk.com/rest/rooms/YOUR_ROOM_ID/users';

$data = [

  'name' => 'EventGuest',

  'role' => 'member'

];

$options = [

  'http' => [

    'header' => "Content-Type: application/json\r\nAuthorization: Basic " . base64_encode($api_key . ':' . $api_secret),

    'method' => 'POST',

    'content' => json_encode($data),

  ]

];

$context = stream_context_create($options);

$result = file_get_contents($url, false, $context);

echo $result;

?>

Example: Integrating Chat with a Dacast Live Stream

For a practical example, let’s say you are hosting a virtual conference using Dacast for live streaming. You can embed your video player alongside a chat room for audience interaction.

<div style="display: flex;">

  <div style="flex: 70%;">

    <iframe src="https://iframe.dacast.com/b/XXXX/c/XXXX" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen></iframe>

  </div>

  <div style="flex: 30%;">

    <iframe src="https://rumbletalk.com/client/chat.php?XXXXX" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0"></iframe>

  </div>

</div>

Real-World Success Stories

Here are some scenarios wherein they used a chat for live events and saw success in numbers.

Stock Market Analysts

Live market update sessions use chat tools to allow viewers to discuss stock trends and ask questions.

Online Education Platforms

Educators use chat rooms during live lessons to answer student queries and facilitate group discussions.

Virtual Music Events

Artists host online concerts where fans chat, request songs, and engage with performers in real-time.

Business Webinars

Companies host product demos and Q&A sessions using chat tools to connect with their audience.

Don’t let your chat dwindle

After exploring the role of interactive chat tools in live events, my conclusion is clear: audience engagement is no longer a luxury—it is a necessity. Modern live events, whether virtual, hybrid, or physical, demand a real-time feedback loop between organizers and attendees. Without this, audience interest can quickly dwindle, leading to a less impactful event.

Integrating a tool for live events that combines live streaming with an interactive chat component fosters active participation, builds a community, and provides invaluable insights during the event. It transforms your audience from passive observers into active contributors, ensuring that your message resonates.

From corporate webinars to music festivals and virtual classrooms, the need for audience involvement is universal. Tools like RumbleTalk’s WordPress Plugin, alongside SDKs and APIs, simplify the process of embedding chat features, making it accessible to both small organizers and large corporations.

Ultimately, the future of live events lies in creating a truly interactive environment. Leveraging the right chat solutions will not only enhance your audience’s experience but also elevate the overall success of your event. Don’t let your next event fall flat—embrace the power of interaction and watch your audience thrive.

Live streaming has become one of the most effective ways to connect with audiences online. Whether you are hosting a webinar, a live podcast, or broadcasting a corporate event, engaging your viewers is crucial. One of the best ways to enhance audience interaction is by integrating a live streaming chat alongside your broadcast.

Adding a live streaming chat allows your audience to interact in real-time, ask questions, and discuss the content while watching. This results in higher viewer retention, stronger community building, and better feedback during your broadcast.

Why You Need a Live Streaming Chat

When streaming live video, viewers can often feel like passive spectators. Integrating a live streaming chat transforms your broadcast into an interactive experience. Here are the key benefits:

• Real-Time Engagement: Viewers can ask questions, make comments, and get answers immediately.
• Audience Feedback: Gain insights into your audience’s reactions and opinions.
• Community Building: Encourage conversation among viewers, creating a sense of community.
• Higher Retention: Engaged viewers are likely to stay longer and return for future broadcasts.
• Increased Conversions: For businesses, a live chat can drive sales and conversions during product launches or demos.

Common Use Cases for Live Streaming Chat

1. Webinars

Webinars often cover complex topics, and audience questions are inevitable. A live streaming chat allows attendees to seek clarification immediately, increasing the value of the session.

2. Online Events and Conferences

Virtual conferences and online events can feel impersonal without interaction. Adding a chat room fosters networking, idea-sharing, and engagement among attendees.

3. Live Product Launches

Brands launching new products can leverage live streaming chat to interact with potential customers, answer questions, and address concerns in real-time, increasing purchase likelihood.

4. Live Podcasts and Q&A Sessions

Podcasters often engage with their listeners during live recordings. A chat room allows audiences to submit questions or suggest topics on the fly.

5. Educational Streams

Online educators can benefit from a live streaming chat by encouraging students to ask questions or discuss topics as they are taught.

6. Religious Services

Churches and faith communities streaming services can use chat to encourage prayer requests and fellowship, ensuring remote members feel connected.

7. Sports Streaming

Live sports streams often spark reactions. Integrating a chat room allows fans to discuss the game in real-time, enhancing the viewing experience.

Integrating Live Streaming Chat Using SDK

To make your live streaming truly interactive, you can integrate a chat solution using an SDK (Software Development Kit). An SDK allows you to easily embed and customize a chat room directly into your streaming platform without needing extensive development.

The SDK is particularly useful when you want to integrate your website’s user base with the chat, enabling auto-login for registered users. This ensures that your viewers don’t need to sign in twice — once for your website and again for the chat.

You can integrate the SDK manually following this Auto-Login SDK guide or use the built-in version available in the RumbleTalk WordPress Plugin.

WordPress Plugin with Built-in SDK

For website owners using WordPress, there is a RumbleTalk WordPress Plugin that comes with a built-in SDK. This plugin makes it incredibly easy to integrate a live streaming chat into your site in just a few clicks.

• Install the RumbleTalk WordPress Plugin.
• Configure your chat room settings.
• Embed the chat room into your live streaming page.

The plugin eliminates the need for coding, allowing you to create a professional chat room experience quickly. It also supports auto-login integration through the built-in SDK, simplifying user authentication.

Advanced Integration with API and Auto-Login

If you require deeper integration, such as auto-login for users beyond WordPress, you can use RumbleTalk’s REST API. This is useful when you want users already logged into your website to be automatically logged into the chat.

Example of server-side PHP API usage for creating a user and generating an auto-login link:

<?php

$api_key = 'YOUR_API_KEY';

$api_secret = 'YOUR_API_SECRET';

$url = 'https://api.rumbletalk.com/rest/rooms/YOUR_ROOM_ID/users';

$data = [

  'name' => 'JohnDoe',

  'role' => 'member'

];

$options = [

  'http' => [

    'header' => "Content-Type: application/json\r\nAuthorization: Basic " . base64_encode($api_key . ':' . $api_secret),

    'method' => 'POST',

    'content' => json_encode($data),

  ]

];

$context = stream_context_create($options);

$result = file_get_contents($url, false, $context);

echo $result;

?>

This code example creates a user with the role of ‘member’ in your chat room. You can further customize the user details and login process.

Popular Use Case: Integrating Dacast with Live Streaming Chat

For example, if you are using Dacast for live streaming, you can easily integrate a RumbleTalk group chat alongside your stream. This allows your audience to discuss the broadcast in real-time without leaving your website.

Step-by-Step Integration

1. Create a Group Chat:
   • Sign in to your chat provider (e.g., RumbleTalk).
   • Create a new group chat room.
   • Customize the chat room settings to match your brand.
2. Get Your Chat Embed Code:
   • Copy the provided chat embed code.
3. Embed Dacast and Chat Together:
   • Embed your Dacast live stream player on your website.
   • Insert the chat embed code alongside the Dacast player.

Here is an example of HTML code to display your Dacast stream with a live streaming chat side by side:

<div style="display: flex;">

  <div style="flex: 70%;">

    <!-- Dacast Embed Code -->

    <iframe src="https://iframe.dacast.com/b/XXXX/c/XXXX" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen></iframe>

  </div>

  <div style="flex: 30%;">

    <!-- RumbleTalk Chat Embed Code -->

    <iframe src="https://rumbletalk.com/client/chat.php?XXXXX" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0"></iframe>

  </div>

</div>

Customizing the Chat Room

Using an SDK and REST API allows you to:

• Design the chat interface to match your website.
• Set user permissions to control who can chat.
• Moderate the chat to ensure a positive environment.

Real-Life Success Stories

Several organizations have successfully integrated live streaming chat to engage their audiences:

• Music Festivals: Live event organizers use chat to allow fans to connect during virtual concerts.
• Stock Market Analysts: Traders conduct live market updates while viewers discuss trends in the chat.
• E-Learning Platforms: Educational websites run live tutorials with students asking questions in chat.
• Online Radio Shows: Hosts stream music while listeners request songs and give feedback in real-time chat.
• Corporate Webinars: Businesses host product demos with sales teams addressing customer queries through chat.

Final Thoughts

Integrating a live streaming chat alongside your broadcast transforms your event into an interactive experience. Whether you are streaming a conference, a live podcast, or an online course, combining video and real-time chat can drastically boost engagement and viewer satisfaction.

Take your live streaming to the next level by adding a live streaming chat today!