Why Hive Feels Small... And Why That Might Be Its Biggest Advantage

Every now and then, I come across a familiar line on X, YouTube, or random forums:

“Hive is dead.”

Sometimes it’s in the comments of an old Hive video, sometimes it’s just a pointless comment in a thread about social blockchains. And if I’m being honest, I understand why some people say it… at least on the surface.

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Our active user base has definitely declined compared to previous years, and the main reason is pretty straightforward, the price. When Hive’s price is down for a long period of time, people slowly go on hiatus (either temporarily or for some is permanent). Historically, that’s what happens in every bear market, not just on Hive. When the hype disappears, so does a big chunk of user motivation.

It’s human nature.

When rewards look small in dollar terms, people assume the platform itself is failing, or worse, dying.

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When Price Becomes the Only Signal

On Hive, rewards are a big part of the experience. You write, curate, and engage... and you see the results directly in your wallet. So when the token price go on a downtrend, it feels like your time is being devalued in real time.

For a lot of people, that’s the only signal they pay attention to:

• Price down = platform dying
• Rewards down = time wasted
• Fewer posts = “See? Told you it was dead.”

In their subconscious mind, it becomes a simple story: “Hive is going to die soon anyway, why bother posting?”

And once enough people think like that, activity drops further… which then “confirms” their belief. It becomes a loop.

But here’s the part that gets missed in that narrative.

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What If “Small” Isn’t the Same as “Dead”?

Some people look at Hive and say, “Only a few thousand active users? That’s dead.”

To them, anything that isn’t operating at Facebook, TikTok, or X scale automatically looks like a ghost town.

But for me, it doesn’t feel that way at all.

In a typical day, I can only properly engage with maybe 10 to 20 people — reading their posts, leaving meaningful comments, replying to their thoughts. And honestly, I’m more than happy with that. That’s already a full social experience for my available time.

Do I really need millions of users commenting into my posts, with an algorithm deciding what I see? Not really.

I’d rather have:

• A smaller crowd,
• Real conversations,
• And usernames I actually recognize.

From the outside, Hive may look small. From the inside, it feels manageable and human.

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Hive Is Not Just Another Web2 App With a Token

One big mistake is when people compare Hive directly with Web2 giants:

• “Is it as big as Facebook?”
• “Does it have TikTok-level engagement?”
• “Is it trending on X?”

But if you really think about it, that’s the wrong comparison.

Web2 platforms are built around ads, algorithms, and centralized control. Hive is built around ownership, censorship resistance, and community governance. That’s a completely different game.

People who come to Hive expecting another TikTok with instant virality will be disappointed. People who come to Hive because they value:

• Freedom
• True ownership
• The ability to earn without being at the mercy of an ad network

…will see something that Web2 can’t offer.

The truth is, most people won’t fully appreciate Hive until they experience the dark side of Web2:

• Being demonetized overnight
• Getting shadowbanned without explanation
• Having years of content removed or locked behind someone else’s rules

Only then does “small, decentralized social blockchain with real ownership” start to sound like a lifeline instead of a niche hobby.

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The Hidden Advantages of a “Small” Hive

So what makes Hive’s size an advantage right now?

• You can actually be seen.
  A good post from a small account still has a chance to be noticed and curated. On Web2, your content is buried unless you’re already big or trending.

• You can form real connections.
  It’s not just usernames scrolling by. Over time, you recognize people’s writing styles, their stories, their journeys.

• You help shape the culture.
  On Hive, you’re not just a tiny voice in a giant crowd. The way you interact, engage, curate, and post actually influences how the platform feels.

• You build during the quiet years.
  When the crowd is gone, the ones who stay accumulate both social capital and Hive Power. That compounds over time.

In other words, Hive feels small — but it also feels early.

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Maybe It’s Just Too Early… and That’s Okay

Maybe it’s too early for Hive to gain massive public support. Maybe the broader market isn’t ready to care about digital ownership and decentralized communities yet.

But I believe that the future is bright for this platform.

Because when the next wave of people finally get tired of being deplatformed, demonetized, and shadowbanned, they’ll start looking for alternatives that actually respect them. And when that time comes, Hive won’t be starting from zero... it will already have:

• Years of content
• Battle-tested tech
• And a core community that stayed through every cycle

So yes, Hive feels small right now.

To me, that’s not a weakness. That’s a filter and an opportunity.

Those who remain are the ones who truly believe in what we’re building here. And if you ask me, that’s the kind of foundation you want for a Web3 future.

Hive on. 🐝

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