Proud partner
Article
The doodle. The glittery image. The dancing banana. Anyone who used to use Hyves will probably recognise them straight away. And yes: Hyves is back. Via both the web and the app. But not just as a trip down memory lane. The platform has been rebuilt with a clear focus: less endless scrolling, more interaction with the people and communities you’re actually interested in.
There’s something else of interest for brands. Hyves has announced it will start running adverts from 2027. This means there’s a new Dutch platform to keep an eye on.
Hyves has deliberately chosen a different approach to most social platforms. Rather than an algorithm designed to keep you in the app for as long as possible, it features a chronological timeline with updates from the people and communities you follow.
Leave a quick note, respond, share something, and then get on with your day. It’s quite refreshing at a time when social media increasingly feels like a full-time job.
Privacy is also a key priority. User data is stored and processed within the European Union, and the platform operates using a predominantly European technical infrastructure. Furthermore, Hyves was not launched as a fully finished product. The team intends to continue testing, listening and adapting – including via its own Hyve where users can provide feedback.
The roll-out is also taking place in phases. The digital doors will not open to everyone straight away; instead, the agency will grow in a controlled manner and make adjustments along the way. On the first day of the launch, only 10,000 people will be able to create an account, but that number will be increased daily.
From 2027, Hyves intends to offer various native advertising products. These include Branded Hyves, Buzz positions in timelines, native display and community-focused activations.
The first launch partners will be able to contribute ideas on the development of the platform and the advertising opportunities as early as the fourth quarter of 2026. What exactly will this cost? We do not yet know. Rates and specifications are not expected to be announced until the end of 2026.
However, the direction is clear: no pop-ups, autoplay with sound or full-screen adverts. Hyves wants adverts to fit in with the user experience and the community. As soon as we know more about advertising on Hyves, we’ll let you know, of course.
Although Hyves is not a new social social media platform, it is certainly making a comeback. But will this comeback be as popular as it once was? That remains to be seen. What we do see is that on the first day of the launch, a queue formed due to the high level of interest. Whether this trend continues remains to be seen, and we will certainly be keeping a close eye on it.
From a brand perspective, it is particularly interesting to see where Hyves will position itself amongst the existing platforms. The platform has deliberately opted for a different approach to using social social , with a greater focus on communities and connection, and less on endless scrolling. This could be of interest to brands that wish to communicate with their target audience in a more substantive and engaging way.
From 2027, advertising opportunities will also be added. Over the coming months, it will become clear what these will look like, how much they will cost and how much reach Hyves will actually be able to build.
In short: there’s no need to overhaul your media budget just yet, but it is a platform worth keeping a close eye on. Want to be among the first to join? Then sign up on Hyves now. You’ll automatically be put on the waiting list and, hopefully, you’ll soon be back to business as usual. With a doodle, a glittery sticker and maybe even a dancing banana.
Our team is
ready to help you