locals.com

What is Locals.com

Locals.com is a subscription-based community platform that lets content creators build their own community, publish content, and earn money directly from supporters — instead of relying on algorithms or ad-revenue. (Wikipedia)

Launched in 2019 by Dave Rubin and Assaf Lev, the platform aims to give creators full control over what they publish and who sees it. (Wikipedia)

Since 2021, Locals.com has been owned by Rumble — a move that integrates Locals into a broader “creator-economy” ecosystem. (Wikipedia)

How Locals Works — Key Features

  • Content publishing — Creators can publish written posts, long-form blog-style articles, videos, live streams, audio/podcasts, images, PDFs, etc. (Locals)

  • Membership tiers — There are “free” members who can follow and like public content, and “supporters” who pay a subscription (set by the creator) to access exclusive content, participate in comments, post, etc. (Locals)

  • Community control / moderation — Because commenting and posting access is limited to paying supporters, creators have more control over the community and it tends to reduce trolls or low-quality interactions. (Locals)

  • Direct monetization & ownership — Creators receive subscription-based income directly. The model prioritizes creator ownership over content and audience, rather than platform-driven monetization or ad-based revenue. (Locals Blog)

  • Social-sharing integrations (optional) — Creators can share content externally (e.g. to Twitter or Facebook) to attract new audience members. A built-in tool tracks how many people view, sign up, and support after each share — useful for growing community and revenue with data. (Locals Blog)

History & Background

  • The founders — Dave Rubin and Assaf Lev — started Locals in 2019 as a response to what they saw as increasing censorship and content control on mainstream platforms (including other creator monetization platforms). (ctech)

  • Initial funding came via private placement of just over US$1 million in March 2020. Later, in April 2021, Locals announced a funding round of US$3.8 million led by venture-capital firm Craft Ventures. (Wikipedia)

  • In October 2021, Locals was acquired by Rumble, broadening its reach and aligning it with a larger vision of a creator-first ecosystem. (Wikipedia)

Who Uses Locals — and Why

The platform tends to attract independent creators who want to:

  • avoid reliance on ad revenue or algorithmic content distribution

  • have greater control over content & community

  • monetize directly from fans via subscriptions

Some public figures and creators associated with the platform include individuals who left other monetization or social platforms. (Wikipedia)

Because paid-membership gating is possible, creators often use Locals to build smaller but more engaged and supportive communities, rather than chasing mass reach.

Strengths and Criticisms

Strengths

  • Provides a direct revenue stream for creators, bypassing ad-dependence

  • Lets creators own their content, community, and monetization model

  • Offers multiple content types — text, video, audio, live stream, etc. — versatile for varied needs

  • Simpler community management: fewer trolls, easier moderation thanks to subscription-based commenting

Criticisms / Limitations

  • As with many subscription-based systems: growth depends strongly on ability to attract paying supporters

  • Some users report issues with the mobile app — playback problems, live-stream quirks, synchronization issues (especially video/audio, background play, or streaming stability) (Google Play)

  • Because of gating, content reach is more limited compared to fully open social media

Key Takeaways

  • Locals.com is built to give creators total control — content, monetization, community.

  • It uses a subscription-based model rather than adverts or algorithms.

  • Offers flexible content options (text, video, audio, livestream, etc.) and tools for community management.

  • Best suited for creators seeking a dedicated, paying audience rather than mass reach.

  • As with any paid-membership platform, success strongly depends on the creator’s ability to attract and sustain supporters.

FAQ

Q: Do I need to pay to use Locals.com?
No. You can join communities as a free member, which allows you to view public content and like posts. Paying (becoming a “supporter”) is only necessary if you want full access — exclusive content, posting/commenting, deeper community participation. (Locals)

Q: What kind of content can I expect on Locals?
Creators can publish written posts, long-form articles, videos, audio/podcasts, livestreams, images, PDFs — a broad range. (Locals)

Q: How is Locals different from a platform like Patreon or social-media + ads?
Instead of relying on ads or third-party algorithms, Locals gives creators direct subscription revenue and ownership over their audience. Creators control what gets shared and who sees what. Also, community interaction (comments, posts) is gated — often reducing spam or trolling. (Locals Blog)

Q: Is Locals good for growing a big following?
Not necessarily. It’s more designed for building dedicated smaller communities with paying supporters rather than maximizing reach. Growth is possible, but it depends heavily on quality, niche, and ability to incentivize subscriptions.

Q: Are there any downsides to using Locals (as a viewer or creator)?
Yes. As a viewer, some report the platform’s apps have technical issues (video playback, streaming stability, background play, etc.). (Google Play) As a creator, you’ll need a loyal audience willing to subscribe — not easy for everyone.

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