HeyMaven

HeyMaven is a new kind of social platform, described as a “serendipity network,” designed to fundamentally change our online interactions. Founded by a team of experts including former OpenAI team lead Ken Stanley, HeyMaven moves away from the conventional, popularity-driven model of social media. It eliminates likes, follower counts, and viral mechanics, which often lead to sensationalism, echo chambers, and social anxiety. Instead, the platform is built on the principle of connecting people through shared interests, fostering deep, thoughtful conversations.

The core philosophy of HeyMaven is inspired by AI research into “open-endedness”—the study of systems that continually innovate and diverge, much like biological evolution or human civilization. Unlike traditional social networks that converge on popular consensus (through likes), HeyMaven is designed to be a divergent system where a wide variety of ideas can flourish. This approach is supported by prominent figures in the tech industry, including OpenAI's CEO Sam Altman and Twitter's co-founder Ev Williams, who see it as a potential solution to the broken state of online discourse.

How to use HeyMaven

Getting started with HeyMaven is an intentional process of curating your intellectual curiosity. Instead of being fed algorithmically-selected content, you are in full control.

1. Follow Interests, Not People: Upon joining, you select and follow topics that genuinely interest you. Your feed is populated exclusively with content related to these interests. You can add new interests manually or discover them organically through tags on posts.
2. Engage in Timeless Conversations: You can start a new discussion with the “+” button or reply to existing threads. Conversations are designed to be linear and timeless, like a dinner party discussion. You can join in at any point, even on old threads, to revive a topic.
3. Discover and Connect: The platform's AI extracts relevant interests from every post, tagging them for discoverability. Interests you don't follow are highlighted, encouraging you to explore new areas and connect with people you wouldn't otherwise meet.
4. Be an Explorer: Success on HeyMaven isn't measured by popularity. The platform rewards curiosity, thoughtful questions, and deep engagement. It's a space for explorers, not promoters.

Core Features of HeyMaven

• Interest-Based Network: The entire social graph is built around interests, not user accounts. You follow topics, not people.
• No Likes, No Follows: By removing these metrics, HeyMaven eliminates the popularity contest, reducing social pressure and the incentive for clickbait.
• AI-Powered Interest Extraction: AI analyzes every post to identify and tag relevant interests, creating a dynamic and ever-expanding network of topics.
• Serendipity Engine: The system is designed to facilitate unexpected connections and discoveries by exposing you to diverse ideas and people with overlapping interests.
• Even Content Circulation: Eligible posts are circulated evenly, ensuring that a wide range of ideas gets seen, not just those from the most popular users.
• Minimal Criteria for Quality: Instead of ranking content by popularity, Maven uses a quality threshold based on engagement statistics to ensure content is meaningful without creating a hierarchy.
• Timeless, Linear Threads: Conversations are not structured as complex branching trees and do not expire, encouraging ongoing, in-depth discussions.

Use Cases for HeyMaven

HeyMaven is ideal for individuals and groups seeking a more substantive online experience.

• Academics and Researchers: A space to discuss niche topics, share findings, and connect with peers across disciplines without the noise of mainstream platforms.
• Creative Professionals: Writers, artists, and thinkers can explore ideas, receive thoughtful feedback, and find inspiration outside of their usual circles.
• Curious Minds: Anyone tired of superficial content can use Maven to dive deep into hobbies, learn new things, and engage in intellectually stimulating conversations.
• Community Builders: A platform to foster genuine communities around shared passions, free from the pressure of growth-hacking and engagement metrics.

Advantages of HeyMaven

HeyMaven offers a refreshing alternative to the current social media landscape.

• Reduces Social Anxiety: The absence of public performance metrics creates a calmer, more welcoming environment.
• Fosters Authentic Dialogue: Users are encouraged to be curious and genuine, as the platform's incentive is conversation, not self-promotion.
• Breaks Echo Chambers: By connecting people through a web of intersecting interests, it promotes exposure to diverse perspectives.
• User-Controlled Experience: You have transparent and direct control over your feed by managing the interests you follow.
• Promotes Intellectual Diversity: The open-ended design ensures that niche and novel ideas can surface and thrive.

Pricing and Plans

HeyMaven is currently free to use. As a new startup founded in late 2022 and announced in early 2024, its focus is on building a community of users dedicated to meaningful discourse.