By 2024, VK, the Russian social media site, is booming. US and EU companies are finding the platform to be a potent substitute for the “censored” Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Here’s why you should think about putting VK into your social media marketing plan: here’s everything you need to know about the platform.
What is VK?
Combining elements of Facebook, Instagram, and Spotify, VK—short for Vkontakte, or “in contact,” is a social networking service based in Russian. Users establish personal profiles, network with friends, join interest-based groups, publish updates, forward pictures and videos, contact one another, and listen to music. Launched in 2006, the website rapidly attracted a large user base in Russia and numerous neighboring nations. Today, VK claims that there are about 100 million active users.
Why VK is Rising in Popularity in 2024
Several elements help explain VK’s expansion and appeal in 2024:
Stability and Predictability: US and EU users are finding that VK operates as Facebook did five to 10 years ago, before continual algorithm and user interface modifications.
Consistent Design: VK’s interface stays mostly unaltered, providing a steady surrounding for users to quickly navigate.
Limited Censorship
Alternative to Heavily Censored Platforms: After Russian social media networks were widely banned in 2022, people turned to VK as a more open substitute for Facebook and Instagram.
Platform: Many now see VK as supporting freer speech, much as some see X (previously Twitter).
No Account Conditions
Guest Mode: it lets users browse VK’s content without having to register an account.
Simple Discovery: it lets customers access movies, pictures, music, and posts without first registering or difficulty.
Why Businesses Should Use VK
US and EU businesses are finding a gold mine of engagement on VK. Users are flocking to the platform to find content and information they can’t find on other social media platforms. As a result, many US and EU businesses that post content on VK are seeing much higher engagement levels than they see on “censored” platforms. Posts get shared more often.
Videos get more views. Comments are more plentiful. In many cases, this happens even without the use of paid advertising. However, businesses that do use paid advertising on VK are also reporting success there. Overall, engagement on VK resembles what social media was like years ago before most marketers ruined it.
VK User Demographics
The vast majority of VK users live in Russia or Russian-speaking countries. As of early 2024, the breakdown is approximate: Russia — 95%, Ukraine — 90%, Belarus — 95%, Kazakhstan — 60%, Other Former Soviet States — 60%. Of its total user base, VK reports that 75% are aged 25 or younger, with a split that is roughly even between male and female users. The platform also features more than 50 million monthly active users who listen to music on VK’s built-in Spotify-like music service. Users of the VK highlight the importance of it as a main communication tool by sending almost 15 billion messages per day.
What Content Works on VK
Textual Posts
- On VK, longer text postings do really well
- Personal tales really connect and captivate readers
Visual content
- Images work better than on services like Tiktok
- With a run of up to three hours, videos may be longer
Music
- On VK, music is very popular
- Many people visit VK mostly in search of new music
Language Thoughts
- Translation content into Russian will greatly increase interaction as most users are Russian or Russian-speaking
How to Get Started With VK
Getting started with VK is easy. First, visit vk.com, where you can explore the service without creating an account. Click the blue button in the top right corner marked “Зарегистрироваться,” which means “Register.” You may register with your phone number or email address. From there you can build your profile similar to how you would on Facebook, including adding friends and joining groups.
Businesses can also create business accounts that allow for business profile customization, access to analytics tools, and posting as the business account in groups that the business account joins. Is VK Right for Your Business? If your target demographic includes Russian speakers or if you’re finding it difficult to engage users on “censored” social media platforms, VK may be a great addition to your social media marketing strategy.
Leveraging Paid Growth to Boost Engagement on VK
As VK keeps becoming a social media powerhouse in 2024, purchasing subscriptions, followers, likes, views, and plays is a calculated action to rapidly establish credibility and increase exposure. Investing in paid growth helps companies and content creators to get traction quicker, therefore guaranteeing their content reaches a larger audience given the fast increasing user base of the platform.
Early on improvement of engagement measures helps users to employ social proof, draw organic followers, and create more effective relationships by means of partnerships. Paid growth on VK is a smart approach to keep ahead in a cutthroat social media scene.
Conclusion
The increase of VK in 2024 offers companies looking for less censorship and greater organic engagement a special chance. Particularly for companies aiming at Russian-speaking customers, VK is an excellent tool in any social media marketing plan because of its stable platform, growing user base, and high possibility for content reach.