Gratitude Plus makes social networking positive, private and personal
Private social networking is making a comeback. Gratitude Plus, a startup that aims to shift social media in a more positive direction, is expanding its wellness-focused, personal reflections journal to include support for families who want to stay in touch even when physically distant.
The startup, whose name reflects its core offering of a gratitude journal, is, in some ways reminiscent of Path, which was built years ago. Path had briefly emerged as a Facebook challenger by creating a space for smaller groups of people to interact with one another. The app differentiated itself by limiting users to just 50 friends, ensuring their interactions would remain in tighter circles than on larger social networks.
For a time, Path caught on, and while it never toppled Facebook, it stood out as an example of how private social networks could work, if executed correctly. (The company had raised too much venture funding to return on its investment without an exit, so Path sold to Korea’s Kakao in 2015.)
Similarly, Gratitude Plus is not meant to be used with a wide audience. Instead, it encourages users to establish healthier relationships and better mental wellness habits by offering a space for journaling, mood tracking,and staying in touch with family and friends through small, private “circles” within its app.
