Making Friends Online Without a Dating Intent

Discover effective tips for making friends online, the best platforms to use and where to find communities focused on friendship, not dating.

Alright, so we've all heard the stories. The internet is a wild, chaotic jungle of memes and cat videos. But if you're like most people, you're probably looking for a friendly face that you can be real with, rather than a fruitless string of unsolicited gestures. 

Good news: Real, platonic friends are out there. 

In a time where anything from groceries to gossip is digital, making friends online is where it's at. Gone are the limitations of small-town borders and time zones — you can now access friendships worldwide, right from your couch. And we're talking about genuine people who get you, no strings attached.

So, let's break it down because online friendships are totally a thing right now. 

The Golden Rule: Find Your Fam

Before we dive deeper into the concept of making online friends, there's one golden rule to follow: Find your fam. It's a simple concept, but the meaning runs deeper than the sum of its parts, so let's talk about that for a minute.

Find, the first word, is about taking action. This means going forth and proactively looking for friends online. It's as much about the digital spaces you're searching for friendships as the intentions you set. 

The second word, your, encourages you to get clear on what you want. When you go into friendship apps seeking a specific type of platonic friendship, you're more likely to put those vibes out there and receive what you're looking for. 

Finally, our fam about reciprocity and community. Giving and receiving show up naturally and effortlessly when you're authentic. So, focus on looking in the right spaces, knowing what you want and seeking a reciprocal relationship, and you'll be well on your way to building genuine friendships online. 

Where To Make Friends Online

If making friends as an adult feels like you're running headfirst into a brick wall, join the club. Often, friendships form on the basis of moving through similar life stages or sharing the same interests as those around us. When we fork out into new directions (new city, anyone?), the strong connections we once held with friends can take different forms. 

The good news is that there are plenty of new people moving in the same direction at the same time as you. Here are some digital spaces where you can find them:

Video Chat Platforms

Ever since the social distancing pandemic days, video chatting has become a big part of building friendships. It's like the grown-up version of show-and-tell, but with fewer weird science experiments and a more engaged audience. Apps like Azar allow you to meet new people in real time, face-to-face and yap away about the strange and wonderful things going on in your lives. Azar encourages casual, fun conversations in a relaxed and lighthearted atmosphere.

Pro tip: Don't worry about the “first friendship meet” nerves. Nobody expects you to have your life together. Just show up as your authentic and wonderful self and the people who are meant for you will stand out loud and clear. 

Get Your Social Media On

Social media provides a ton of groups where you can share your passions and meet like-minded people. Whether it's gaming, pottery or you're one of the remaining seven people in the world who love early 2000s boy bands, you'll find those who are into the same things as you in social media groups. 

How Does Meeting New Friends Online Work?

This is the part where we focus on you. Making friends online is a science and an art. The art involves just being you (easy), and the science lies in how you approach new people on virtual platforms.

Here's the playbook on how to set your intentions and show up with some serious online chatting etiquette to catch yourself a few amazing digital friendships. 

Make Your Intentions Clear

Consider this: When you walk into a cafe and ask for “a coffee,” chances are the server can give you something that matches your description — even though it may not be your fave. On the other hand, if you ask for a quad-shot americano with fresh whipped cream, the server can tell you if they can make your exact order, and you're free to accept or continue your hunt. 

Making online friendships works the same way. The better you understand your own vibe, their vibe and everyone's end goal in the equation, the sooner you'll know whether the other person is a true friendship match. Stating your intentions saves everyone the guessing game. 

Find Shared Interests

Like tacos, friendships start with a good base. Whether it's a love of indie films, weird conspiracy theories or you just need someone to rant about traffic with, bonding over shared interests is your golden ticket to a lasting friendship. And bring your quirks to the table — let's be honest, we're all a little strange, and finding a crowd with the same flavor of weird as yours is foundational to a meaningful connection.

Engage Regularly

A single “lol” or “haha” usually doesn’t lead to a deep feeling of connection. Building friendships requires a level of engagement. Don't stress, though, it's not like a full-time job. Share memes, show enthusiasm for their stories or just pop in to ask about the other person's day. The more you connect, the more you'll have your inside jokes. Before you know it, your conversations will move from casual to comfortable. q1

Pro tip: Azar has a new feature called “Azar Badge,” which is not so much a digital medal as a fast pass that shows you're about quality connections. It's like your stamp of approval, helping you stand out as a buddy worth meeting. 

Be Authentically You

Nobody's here for your professional resume. Show up as the genuine, occasionally awkward and consistently wonderful person you are. And don't worry about sounding cool — if you love something, talk about it. This helps you stand out as authentic and attracts friends who are on the same page as the real you. 

Participate Actively

Leave little breadcrumbs of your personality everywhere. Whether it's a humorous take on current affairs, the most un-punny joke ever told or an original commentary on the weather, this makes you memorable. It also establishes your friendship identity as someone fun to talk to. Plus, who doesn't love a terrible joke now and then?

Be Patient

Meaningful friendships form in the slow cooker, not the microwave. So, don't stress if you're not instantly BFFs after the first chat. The magic happens over time, and if there's a solid vibe in your small talk, you have plenty of leeway to build on in the future.

Reach Out

Seen someone on a friend-making app or platform you think you'd vibe with? Make the first move and reach out. Putting yourself out there can be a whole lot easier in a digital environment, and once you get the knack of it, it's one of those social skills that can transfer into real-world confidence. 

What To Do if Expectations Don’t Align

This is the part where we focus on the family element of finding your fam. If someone is seeking a more “romantic” relationship online — and you're not — there may be a mismatch of expectations. Here are some tips to keep the conversation at a comfortable level and what to do if someone is pressuring you. 

Identify What Friendship Feels Like for You

Think back to the best friendships throughout your life. Are they filled with laughter, intellectual convos or emotional support? What kind of connection do you hope to foster in a digital space? Channel these memories and perspectives to easily identify when something feels spot on and when it feels off. 

Be Aware of Red Flags

If the new friendship feels off for any reason, try to identify where it's coming from. We must stay aware of online red flags, particularly as we embark on the process of exploring relationships with new people. Usually, your gut instincts, emotions or energy levels will give you early warning signs, so tap into them. 

For instance, if you're feeling a little socially burned out from all the chatting, it could be that someone is demanding too much of your time. Alternatively, it could mean that someone is making you feel a little too good, which could be love-bombing territory. Modern friendships can take different forms, and the healthy ones involve an equal amount of give and take — follow what feels right.

Communicate Early and Respectfully

If you identify red flags or the online friendship doesn't match what you seek in your connections, respectfully say so. The right person will understand and proactively accommodate. That said, you can't expect everyone else to intuit your boundaries. Once you've been vocal and clear, if someone doesn’t respect your needs, don't feel pressured to continue pursuing the friendship. 

Always Protect Your Personal Information

This almost goes without saying, but no online friend should need any of your personal details, including your social security number, names of family members, credit card details or physical address. As we mentioned earlier, the internet is a jungle — primarily filled with wonderful people — but you may come across the occasional oddball or persons with nefarious intentions. Always  take proactive steps to protect your private information when making new digital connections. 

Use a Site's Safety Features When Needed

Most one-to-one video chat platforms like Azar have features that help you take control of when and how you interact with people. Tools like community guidelines, blocking and reporting features let you decide and take action if you feel it's time to end a conversation or a friendship. Your comfort is paramount, so proactively engage with online safety best practices and empower yourself to engage with those who make you feel good. 

Make Friendships That Last on Azar

Forming connections in faraway lands is fun and exciting — and all the more accessible with platforms like Azar. If you want to make friends online (whether platonic or other exciting possibilities), Azar is a space that encourages positive, authentic connections. 

Connect with like-minded people from all four corners of the globe via casual, fun and lighthearted one-to-one video calls and begin forging genuine online friendships today.

Start Chatting now!