--- id: "virtual-communities:executive-summary" type: "GovLab report executive summary" title: "The Power of Virtual Communities: Executive Summary" url: "https://virtual-communities.thegovlab.org/executive-summary" summary: "Online groups are significant contemporary organizations that can generate impact, and provide their members with a strong sense of community and belonging, despite not operating in physical space. 1.8 billion people use Facebook Groups every month, and more than half of all the people using…" source: "The GovLab (virtual-communities.thegovlab.org)" licence: "Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)" --- # The Power of Virtual Communities: Executive Summary **Executive Summary** - Online groups are significant contemporary organizations that can generate impact, and provide their members with a strong sense of community and belonging, despite not operating in physical space. - 1.8 billion people use Facebook Groups every month, and more than half of all the people using Facebook are members of five or more active groups. There are 70 million people active in the past month leading these groups as admins and moderators. - This report seeks to open a conversation about the role and impact of online groups and the factors that make some of them successful communities. It draws on interviews with 50 leaders of Facebook Groups in 17 countries and with 26 global experts in online community building, along with a literature review, internal Facebook research, and a parallel YouGov survey of 15,000 Internet users in 15 countries. - A growing number of people around the world are finding meaning and a sense of belonging in online groups. According to the YouGov survey, in 11 out of 15 countries studied, the largest proportion of respondents reported the most important group to which they belong is a primarily online one. The report finds: 1. People can experience a strong sense of community from membership in such groups despite the lack of physical proximity. 2. Online groups are a still fluid form of human organization that in many cases attract members and leaders who are marginalized in the physical societies they inhabit, and who use the platform to build new kinds of community they could not form in real space. 3. Many of these groups have counter-cultural norms and are what political scientists might call “cross-cleavage” communities. These groups cut across traditional social groupings, and bring together people normally divided by geography around a shared trait or interest. 4. The flexible affordances of online platforms have enabled new kinds of leaders to emerge in these groups with unique skills in moderating often divisive dialogues, sometimes among millions of members. 5. The leaders of many of these groups run them as a labor of love; they are neither trained nor paid, the rules that govern their internal operations are often uncodified, and the hosting platform - in this case Facebook - holds significant power over their operations and future. 6. These groups, some of which have huge memberships, remain emergent and largely unrecognized: they are outside traditional power structures, institutions and forms of governance. 7. More research is needed to understand whether and how these groups will operate as genuine communities over the long term, especially given the tensions that derive from conducting public life on a private platform such as Facebook, and how such groups and their leaders can be supported to ensure they provide maximum voice, participation and benefit to their members. View a panel discussion about the report’s implications and the future of digital community building [here](https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=637804633717314&ref=watch_permalink). For more coverage of these findings from around the world, see: **United States** - David Brooks, "[Building Trust Through Online Communities](https://www.facebook.com/community/whats-new/building-trust-through-online-communities/)," Facebook blog post, February 23, 2021. - NYU Tandon Newsroom, "[The GovLab at NYU Tandon releases report on the impact of online communities and role of their leaders](https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/govlab-nyu-tandon-releases-report-impact-online-communities-and-role-their-leaders)," February 23, 2021 - "[NYU + Facebook + Network Capital = Power of Virtual Communities](https://www.thenetworkcapital.com/p/nyu-facebook-network-capital-power)," Network Capital, February 23, 2021 - Andrew Hutchinson, "[New Report Looks at the Rising Influence of Online Communities](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/new-report-looks-at-the-rising-influence-of-online-communities/595677/)," SocialMediaToday, February 24, 2021. - Mansee Khurana, "[The Only Good Thing Left About Facebook](https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2022/04/how-facebook-groups-create-community/629698/?__s=jjwjuzaxcpem7zp9ndt6)," The Atlantic, April 28, 2022 - "[Scientists release report on the impact of online communities](https://techxplore.com/news/2021-02-scientists-impact-online.html)," TechXplore, February 24, 2021 - Matt Southern, "[1.8 Billion People Use Facebook Groups Every Month](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/1-8-billion-people-use-facebook-groups-every-month/397109/#close)," Search Engine Journal, February 25, 2021 - Craig Silverman and Ryan Mac, "[New York Times Columnist David Brooks Wrote A Blog Post For Facebook’s Corporate Website](https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/craigsilverman/nyt-david-brooks-blogs-for-facebook)," BuzzFeed News, February 26, 2021 - Francis Rey, "[Report highlights the growing influence of Facebook Groups](https://socialbarrel.com/report-highlights-the-growing-influence-of-facebook-groups/128998/)," SocialBarrel, March 1, 2021 **Argentina** - Armando Cabral, "[Un informe de The Governance Lab, de la Universidad de Nueva York (NYU) sobre el impacto de las comunidades en línea y el papel de sus líderes,](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.lalicuadoratdf.com.ar_2021_02_un-2Dinforme-2Dde-2Dthe-2Dgovernance-2Dlab-2Dde-2Dla-2Duniversidad-2Dde-2Dnueva-2Dyork-2Dnyu-2Dsobre-2Del-2Dimpacto-2Dde-2Dlas-2Dcomunidades-2Den-2Dlinea-2Dy-2Del-2Dpapel-2Dde-2Dsus-2Dlideres_&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=JZmDs-a1r2dRnMLvKI6A_sMeW33a4YcFWQW3pz319AM&e=)" La Licuadora TDF, February 23, 2021 - "[Cuál es el poder de las comunidades virtuales](https://www.totalmedios.com/nota/44580/cual-es-el-poder-de-las-comunidades-virtuales)," TotalMedios, February 24, 2021. - "[El poder de las comunidades virtuales: informe de Facebook y Governance Lab](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__dossiernet.com.ar_articulo_el-2Dpoder-2Dde-2Dlas-2Dcomunidades-2Dvirtuales-2Dinforme-2Dde-2Dfacebook-2Dy-2Dgovernance-2Dlab_25431&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=yBdM0KkkJKiEfy7OB9tJdox2cz8hexJNPfKF33udLjA&e=)," Dossier Net, February February 24, 2021 **Brazil** - Daniela Borsuk, "[Clube da Alice vira case em relatório da NYU que aborda comunidades virtuais](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.infoclipping.com.br_facebook_2021-5F2_25_artigo554.htm&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=Ph0uJPM1w4xdlXv9KbS6qG6-QEVIAmBzhGtVt-wrYUQ&e=)," Ric Mais, February 24, 2021 - Kelly Iida, "[Comunidades virtuais dão mais apoio emocional às pessoas durante a pandemia](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.infoclipping.com.br_facebook_2021-5F2_25_artigo555.htm&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=5nN0cSOCMlgy6AfcGTHC-jbfS0QqZ2QjDnyIjEXvViA&e=)," Geek Publicitário, February 24, 2021 **Indonesia** - Natisha Andarningtyas, "[Survei Facebook, pengguna Indonesia aktif di medsos selama pandemi](https://www.antaranews.com/berita/2014059/survei-facebook-pengguna-indonesia-aktif-di-medsos-selama-pandemi)," Antaranews.com, February 23, 2021 - Agustin Setyo Wardani, "[Pengguna Facebook Indonesia Aktif Online di Masa Pandemi](https://www.liputan6.com/tekno/read/4490709/pengguna-facebook-indonesia-aktif-online-di-masa-pandemi)," Liputan6.com, February 23, 2021 - Virgina Maulita Putri, "[Komunitas Online Facebook Makin Berkembang di Tengah Pandemi,"](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__inet.detik.com_cyberlife_d-2D5407950_komunitas-2Donline-2Dfacebook-2Dmakin-2Dberkembang-2Ddi-2Dtengah-2Dpandemi&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=GNfTub-PTcDcy8r4fR09xzgz8ALW0TQsTcs0xcPTQBw&e=) Detik.com, February 23, 2021 - Ratna Puspita, "[Survei Facebook: Pengguna Indonesia Aktif Selama Pandemi](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.republika.co.id_berita_qoz9lu428_survei-2Dfacebook-2Dpengguna-2Dindonesia-2Daktif-2Dselama-2Dpandemi&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=22dThMjwJ48h9ZbNwFUO0RzlLpmIH2eE4Uc6T52wUao&e=)," Republika.co.id, February 23, 2021 - "[140 Juta Pengguna Media Sosial di Indonesia Aktif Selama Pandemi](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__mediaindonesia.com_humaniora_386622_140-2Djuta-2Dpengguna-2Dmedia-2Dsosial-2Ddi-2Dindonesia-2Daktif-2Dselama-2Dpandemi&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=L4JoQD_pBbONdAChLT6ckUAF_4ZUk8O3o1pPle0mqRI&e=)," Mediaindonesia.com, February 23, 2021 - Fandi Permana, "[Studi Facebook: 95% Pengguna Internet di Indonesia Aktif Bermedsos Selama Pandemi Covid-19](https://www.tribunnews.com/techno/2021/02/23/studi-facebook-95-pengguna-internet-di-indonesia-aktif-bermedsos-selama-pandemi-covid-19)," Tribunnews.com; February 23, 2021 - "[Jumlah Pengguna Facebook Indonesia Tembus 140 Juta di 2020](https://www.suara.com/tekno/2021/02/23/175736/jumlah-pengguna-facebook-indonesia-tembus-140-juta-di-2020)," Suara.com, February 23, 2021 - Eko Pujianto, "[Survei Facebook: Masyarakat Indonesia Aktif di Medsos Selama Pandemi](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__indonesiainside.id_tekno_2021_02_23_survei-2Dfacebook-2Dmasyarakat-2Dindonesia-2Daktif-2Ddi-2Dmedsos-2Dselama-2Dpandemi&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=_7sOomh4Xq9z9EHm12A_WeSAfr2vfJTiJzvVp2zH4Zo&e=)," Indonesiainside.id, February 23, 2021 - "[Survei Facebook: Pengguna Indonesia Aktif Selama Pandemi](https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.harianaceh.co.id_2021_02_23_survei-2Dfacebook-2Dpengguna-2Dindonesia-2Daktif-2Dselama-2Dpandemi_&d=DwMF-g&c=slrrB7dE8n7gBJbeO0g-IQ&r=bvlIfbjNh54RJ_iD1lUTzfyViTsh8dTslM-Qt6Jk9HQ&m=foFBWVPIbRBff3cA934D4g9q4xqlZscEuExXbzcLoGg&s=AurjIyFnGJdPuwqQDQwldNOBXHlsbJsEceONZyRJOvQ&e=)," Harianaceh.co.id, February 23, 2021 - Andrian Rochmansyah Pratama, "[Selama Pandemi Covid-19, Sebanyak 140 Juta Masyarakat Indonesia Aktif di Facebook](https://tasikmalaya.pikiran-rakyat.com/teknologi/pr-061494395/selama-pandemi-covid-19-sebanyak-140-juta-masyarakat-indonesia-aktif-di-facebook)," Tasikmalaya.pikiran-rakyat.com, February 25, 2021 **Pakistan** - Arooj Ahmed, "[Online Communities Playing a Great Role in People’s Live Throughout the World](https://www.digitalinformationworld.com/2021/02/online-communities-playing-great-role.html)," Digitalinformationworld.com, February 28, 2021 **United Kingdom** - Karl Wright, "[How communities can help brands thrive in a post-pandemic market](https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/communities-help-brands-thrive-post-pandemic-market/1716685)," Campaign.co.uk, May 21, 2021 - Sajina Shrestha, "[Covid stifled US mental health therapy. Online forums provided a safe haven](https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/aug/13/covid-19-mental-health-online-forums-community)," *The Guardian*, August 13, 2021