Exploring the Coolest Online Niches & Hobbies

When we think about the Internet, we probably categorize it as a tool. Whether looking up information, booking and purchasing tickets, or sending official correspondence, the internet is what connects us to the world at large. Beyond the scope of utility, the Internet is also associated with entertainment, from social media to video streaming. 

But that doesn’t mean that the internet isn’t home to truly unique niches and their larger communities. From professional gaming to creative exploration to planning for the worst-case scenario, the internet is home to some of humanity’s most interesting projects. And though some might want to limit the amount of time they spend online and in front of a screen, that isn’t the case around the board.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the more unique niches and hobbies that are still going strong in 2024.

Professional Poker

If you remember the live poker broadcasts from the 1990s and the jump online in the early 2000s, then you might not be surprised to hear that poker is still going strong. It’s estimated that some 100 million players dot the globe. Many will cut their teeth playing online with the hopes of qualifying for an in-person tournament.

In fact, that’s likely one of the reasons that virtual poker remains so popular: it allows players to tackle the game at their own pace. They can advance toward a professional level by starting off at smaller table games before working toward satellite tournaments, which means absolutely anyone can go pro—so long as they’ve got the discipline and talent.

Geography

Geography might not sound like an internet obsession, but geography challenges are some of the most popular in the world. From apps like Worldle (yes, it’s spelled correctly) to the official GeoOlympiad competitions, this is a very robust niche that challenges players to identify countries, regions, and cities with limited information.

If you’ve heard of games like GeoGuesser or tried it out yourself, then you might understand the magic behind this fad: knowing your planet inside and out. As this trend continues to grow, there are more competitions that include cash prizes.

Fan fiction might sound like a personal experience and hobby, but there are dozens of online communities where fans can post, rate, and comment on others’ projects. The more popular the characters, the more likely there is to be a niche fan fic site. Harry Potter, Godzilla, and the Marvel Universe, for example, all have very in-depth and popular fan fic platforms.

Dream Interpretation

If you’ve ever woken up with an unforgettable dream still imprinted into your mind, then you probably Googled the general theme to look for answers. And you wouldn’t be alone. There are literally hundreds of websites designed for users to share and help interpret dreams. This trend has grown over time, as many cultures interpret different meanings from animal encounters, symbols, numbers, and more.

Whether you’re looking for advice on a dream or you simply want to read about another person’s interpretation, you’ll have plenty of resources at your disposal. In fact, dream interpretation is so popular that there are now paid services for those who need a bit of metaphysical advice.

Zombie Prepping

The notion of ‘prepping’ relates to preparing for the end of the world in the hopes of surviving an apocalyptic situation. Unsurprisingly, ‘zombie prepping’ focuses on preparing for a zombie invasion or breakout. Zombie prepping communities are those that allow preppers to compare notes, offer advice, and show off their zombie preparedness. 

While this might seem hyper-niche, it’s actually a steadily growing trend—and one that has the internet to thank. Zombie preppers from Miami to Melbourne rely on forums and blogs to stay in contact about the latest updates and product releases in the zombie-prepping world.