Introduction

Imgur, a platform with 300 million monthly users, is widely known for its shared, upvoted posts that create a broad yet unpersonalized experience for its users. While this approach has worked well, it hasn’t catered to niche audiences. One such group that’s seen potential for improvement is gamers. Despite the popularity of video and gaming-related content on Imgur, gamers struggled to find a space that focused specifically on their interests. In response, Imgur launched Melee, an app dedicated to providing a personalized space for gamers to share memes, gameplay clips, and highlights from their favorite games. With Melee, users can subscribe to specific games, ensuring that their feed is filled with content they care about.

Ten years following its debut, 300-million-monthly-user Imgur is one of the least massively popular yet un-personalized home pages on the internet. 

How Imgur Works 

Since everyone views the same upvoted posts when they start Imgur, it produces a shared experience full of inside jokes and working gags. 

However, while you can shift to a feed of topics and creators you support, Imgur has centered on a one-size-fits-all method over providing to niche audiences.

The gaming area deserved better, and Imgur wanted to seize this opportunity. 

Video and board game tags were most famous on Imgur, with 46% of users supporting them. 

Esports, Twitch, and streaming stars like Ninja have advanced to the mainstream. 

And there is an entire world of private memes about crazy in-game moments, highlights from historic wins and commentary about the industry. 

That stuff gets diluted and concealed on cross-functional apps like Imgur; it is difficult to browse on Reddit, and frequently content about all games is crushed together, even though you may only play certain ones.

That is why today, Imgur is starting Melee, the company’s first app, past its flagship product. 

The Story of Melee

Melee allows users to subscribe to the games from which they prefer to get a feed of memes and gameplay clips. 

It is a sophisticated way to block you from seeing jokes you don’t follow or feats of skill you don’t bother about. 

You additionally can scroll through a long post’s feed if you are interested in unfamiliar games. 

Melee debuts now on iOS, with an Android version arriving in Q1 2020 and a desktop version down the way.

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Imgur originator and CEO Alan Schaaf say that gamers are regularly taking recordings and screenshots of the games they are playing.

But they saw that there is no room for gamers to share those clips. 

He said that they want to provide those highlights a home.

If 92% of examined Imgurians think of themselves as “gamers,” and the common one already consumes 30 minutes per day on Imgur, there was room to build something only for them. 

Schaaf says that Imgur is inspired to build things that the internet requires.

Melee is definitely mobile-first and gives a lifeboat to Imgur in case its primary tribe disperses. 

It is a clever way to control the massive untapped energy of gamers.

Ultimately, meme culture is making purpose-built social networks.

Conclusion

Imgur’s launch of Melee marks a significant shift from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more tailored experience, particularly for the gaming community. With 92% of Imgur’s users identifying as gamers, there was a clear demand for a space that focuses on video games and gaming culture. Melee offers a much-needed platform where gamers can share content without the distractions of unrelated posts. This move not only provides a dedicated home for gaming content but also positions Imgur to stay relevant as a key player in online communities.

FAQs

1. What is Melee?
Melee is Imgur’s first dedicated app that focuses on gaming content, allowing users to follow specific games and view memes, gameplay clips, and highlights related to those games.

2. Why did Imgur create Melee?
Imgur created Melee to address the lack of a personalized platform for gamers to share content and connect with other gaming enthusiasts, focusing specifically on games and gaming culture.

3. How does Melee work?
Users can subscribe to their favorite games on Melee to receive a feed tailored to their interests, blocking out content they don’t care about. It allows users to explore unfamiliar games while keeping the focus on their preferred titles.

4. Is Melee available on all platforms?
Melee is currently available on iOS, with plans for an Android version in Q1 2020 and a desktop version in the future.

5. Why is Melee mobile-first?
Melee is designed to be mobile-first to cater to the on-the-go nature of gamers who often capture and share gameplay clips directly from their mobile devices.

6. How does Melee benefit gamers?
Melee provides a space for gamers to easily share gameplay clips, memes, and highlights, creating a dedicated community where they don’t have to sift through unrelated content.

7. Will Melee replace Imgur?
No, Melee is a new app created by Imgur to focus specifically on gaming content. Imgur remains the flagship platform, and Melee complements it by serving a niche audience.

8. Can I use Melee if I’m not a gamer?
While Melee is designed specifically for gamers, anyone interested in gaming content can use the app to explore memes and gameplay clips related to their favorite games.