How the Surge in Community-Based Forum Marketing Will Impact Marketers in 2025

Though an invaluable resource, forum marketing remains underutilised. 

Could 2025 finally be the year we see its takeover?

As a frontrunner for hyper-targeting audiences and communities online, forum marketing allows businesses to meet their ideal demographics where they frequent most and, for many, that’s in the comment sections of online forums and community dwellings. 

Peer to peer communication has been the hallmark of the internet since its inception. Having evolved from bulletin boards, forums are a place for specific ideas to be discussed and the sheer breadth of information, entertainment, and perspectives is what makes them truly unique. Each discussion essentially creates a new page and the more pages there are, the more people are likely to find the answers to their questions without having to use any other channels.

Take the BeautyHeaven forum, for example. Its Categories tab allows visitors to filter content into specific interests, while the Latest Activity tab allows beauty enthusiasts to stay up-to-date with anything and everything going on in the industry. This also provides beauty brands and industry experts with ample opportunities to get involved in discussions to further their credibility within their niche. BeautyHeaven’s thread dedicated to affordable dupes for high-end products, for example, is a great place for drugstore brands to offer their products for consideration.

We’ve seen how niche forums can serve both brands and their communities, but popular forums such as Reddit and Quora, which offer a more generalised set of forum threads for users to delve into, still remain at the forefront of forum marketing.

Does this mean everyone should be looking to launch their new community on a forum-centred platform, however?

Read on as we explore how the benefits of forum marketing are soon to be responsible for its usage uptick in 2025!

HOW CAN YOU BENEFIT FROM FORUM MARKETING?

Forum marketing can offer several benefits, including:

Niche targeting

One of the most significant advantages of forum marketing is the ability to hone in on highly specific niches. Forums typically host passionate communities that are built around particular interests, hobbies, or industries. A user might be browsing a forum dedicated to photography, coding, sustainable fashion, or even a niche cryptocurrency. When a business engages in these spaces, they instantly tap into a targeted audience actively seeking solutions, advice, or product recommendations related to their passion.

Organic, non-intrusive engagement

While traditional ads may feel invasive to many users, forum marketing relies on the subtlety of organic engagement. On platforms like Reddit, Quora, or specialised forums, businesses have the opportunity to showcase their expertise by answering questions, sharing knowledge, and offering product recommendations in a non-pushy way. Over time, this builds credibility and trust, leading to higher conversion rates than many other forms of advertising.

SEO benefits

Another powerful advantage of forum marketing is its SEO potential. When businesses engage in forum discussions and leave helpful, informative comments, they often include backlinks to their websites, blogs, or product pages. These links can significantly boost a company’s search engine rankings. Additionally, forums generate user-generated content that often ranks high on Google search results, especially if the forum is active and reputable.  

Community building

As businesses increasingly look to form lasting connections with their customers, community-building has become a critical strategy. By establishing a presence on a forum, businesses can create a more personal connection with their audience. This connection is invaluable in an era where customers are searching for more than just transactional relationships—they want to feel seen and heard.

Many companies are now creating their own branded forums as an extension of their customer support and community-building initiatives. Brands like GoPro and Nike have successfully implemented forum marketing strategies by fostering user-generated content, where consumers share experiences, ideas, and support each other. For example, GoPro’s forum allows users to exchange tips for capturing the best footage and share their videos. Nike’s online community, in turn, gives users access to workouts, events, and training discussions—encouraging brand loyalty and increasing engagement.

WHAT PLACE DOES FORUM MARKETING HAVE IN 2025?

The premise of forum marketing is derived from the importance of community. This rings especially true in 2025, when users and marketers alike see the internet primarily as a hub for connectivity. Essentially, a company can unlock remarkable competitive advantages by shifting focus from product delivery to community building.

Today, brand communities are a hot commodity. The uptick in community launches, be it alongside a brand launch, or implementing it later in the game, has truly changed the game for consumer/brand relationships. That’s not to say, however, it’s a one-size-fits-all approach. 

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The key to success in forum marketing is genuine participation. If you’re not willing to engage with the community authentically, your efforts may fall flat. Simply posting promotional messages or spamming links can turn users away faster than you can imagine. It’s important to approach forum marketing with the mindset of adding value to the conversation and being a helpful resource, rather than just trying to sell a product.

Brands nailing their forum marketing strategies are doing so because of the following reasons contributing to the state of marketing in 2025:

Trust and authenticity are paramount

Unlike social media platforms that are filled with ads, influencer promotions, and a general sense of transactional relationships, forums provide a space where information is exchanged freely and without the pressure to perform. 

In 2025, trust and authenticity have never been more important to consumers. Users gravitate toward platforms where they feel they can interact with others in a meaningful way, and businesses that participate in this environment will be seen as more trustworthy. The content that appears on forums—often generated by users themselves—tends to be more credible because it is peer-reviewed and genuinely helpful.

Growing interest in hyperlocal communities

As businesses look for ways to create stronger connections with their audiences, there is a shift toward hyperlocal marketing strategies. Forums, especially niche or regional ones, are an ideal place for this kind of targeted approach. For example, local businesses in smaller communities or niche markets can use forums to connect with consumers in their area, offering promotions, events, or services tailored specifically to them.

Increased focus on UGC

User-generated content (UGC) has long been a buzzword in digital marketing, but in 2025, it is set to take centre stage. Forums, by their very nature, encourage UGC, which is a major win for businesses. Whether it’s a forum post, a comment, or a product review, UGC provides social proof that can be more valuable than any paid advertisement.

The viral nature of discussions and recommendations on forums is one of the reasons businesses should consider this strategy in their marketing mix. In fact, many companies are beginning to leverage the wealth of UGC on forums by turning it into case studies, testimonials, or even content for their social media channels. Encouraging customers to share their experiences on forums and highlighting their contributions not only fosters brand loyalty but also provides authentic material that resonates with future customers.

MORE THAN JUST A TREND?

By 2025, we can expect forum marketing to experience an uptick, driven by a few key factors. First, the increasing demand for hyper-targeted marketing will make niche communities more appealing to brands looking for direct access to their ideal customers. Forums allow for conversations and interactions that are directly aligned with specific interests, making it easier for businesses to tailor their approach and resonate with highly relevant audiences.

Additionally, as newer generations, particularly Gen Z, become more prominent in the online space, forum marketing will likely become a favourite tool. This demographic tends to avoid conventional advertising methods, preferring instead to engage with content that feels authentic, conversational, and community-driven. 

Finally, the integration of AI-driven tools and analytics will make forum marketing more efficient and trackable than ever. Brands will have the ability to monitor conversations, identify key trends, and automate engagement in ways that weren’t possible before. This level of optimisation will make forum marketing an even more compelling option for businesses looking to connect with customers in 2025 and beyond.