Hot Social Networks to Watch

Have you ever dropped into Facebook to check your news feed, only to be amazed how many unfamiliar names fill your screen? Lab partners from seventh grade, friends' parents; it's enough to spur another friend purge (or an exodus). As the social networking giant expands its user base, it's only natural to seek out a niche that appeals to you, instead of appealing to everyone.

SEE ALSO: 35 Guilty Pleasure Twitter Accounts

We've compiled a list of 10 social platforms with huge potential. Some are expanding rapidly; others have yet to launch. Here, you'll find blogging platforms to express something more than disdain for your soggy sandwich or the most LOL-worthy cat GIF (for the record, it's this one).

Would you use any of these services instead of Facebook? Or do you have your eye on another rising social star? Tell us in the comments.

Thumbnail image courtesy of Flickr, StockMonkeys.com