On June 30, the results of a study by ROCIT (Regional Public Center for Internet Technology) were presented at the Rossiya Segodnya press center. The study analyzed nine Russian digital platforms and identified the top performers in terms of usability and engagement. The researchers concluded that Russia has developed its own diverse ecosystem of platforms ranging from universal social networks and video hosting services to business networks, lifestyle platforms, blog services, and UGC platforms.
Anton Gorelkin, ROCIT Board Chairman and First Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, noted that Russian digital platforms today can no longer be assessed solely by audience size or brand recognition.
“For users, creators, businesses, and the state, it is crucial to understand how convenient, functional, and fully prepared these services are to address real-world scenarios of communication, content creation, and promotion. This is precisely why we emphasized qualitative expert evaluation: we did not view platforms as abstract equivalents but rather assessed how they perform in terms of user experience – from communication and engagement to security, search, support, and business tools. Such research enables us to see not only the market leaders but also the overall maturity of the Russian digital ecosystem,” he emphasized.
Yekaterina Larina, Director of the Department for the Development of Mass Communications and International Cooperation at the Russian Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media, echoed this sentiment.
“Today, digital platforms, social networks, and messaging apps are no longer merely communication services. They represent a full-fledged infrastructure of social life. The comfort and quality of life of millions depend on them. But this role also brings with it a special responsibility. Platform owners must not only ensure the speed, reliability, and technological resilience of their services, but also assume responsibility for the content users receive as well as for the information environment their products create. As Vladimir Lenin said, “theory becomes a material force as soon as it has gripped the masses.” This presents an immense opportunity for unlimited influence over the audience. That is why it is essential to improve the effectiveness of regulatory frameworks,” Yekaterina Larina noted.
“The study’s results demonstrate that domestic platforms have already reached the technological level of their foreign competitors. However, winning the technology race is only part of the challenge. Social networks are, above all, about habits. People go where their friends, favorite creators, and engaging content are. Thus, it is not enough for Russian platforms to simply be convenient; they must also be visible. They need to invest in marketing, collaborate with influencers, develop compelling projects, and continually provide users with new reasons to return to the service,” said Alexey Goreslavsky, CEO of the Internet Development Institute and ROCIT Board Member.
Andrey Vorobyev, Director of the Coordination Center for TLD .RU/.РФ and ROCIT Board Member, also participated in the presentation. Responding to the moderator’s question regarding the future of the global internet amid the rise of national digital ecosystems, Andrey Vorobyev emphasized the importance of preserving the accessibility of the global network.
“In an ideal world, social networks – which are cross-border and operate globally – should be socially responsible enough to prevent the distribution of illegal content or at least clearly distinguish it from legal content. That is, on the one hand, legitimate content should reach users, while on the other, prohibited content should be restricted. In practice, this is far from consistently the case, and there is a risk of further internet fragmentation if each country attempts to build its own isolated network. Therefore, it is critical to foster international cooperation, both at the governmental and business levels,” Andrey Vorobyev noted.
The key finding of the study is that the Russian digital market has become more mature and diverse. It now includes not only major comprehensive platforms but also specialized services tailored to specific user needs. The market has moved from simply replacing certain foreign services to establishing its own multi-layered ecosystem. Social networks, video hosting services, blog platforms, business networks, and lifestyle services are becoming not only integral to the digital consumer experience but also a vital part of the country’s digital sovereignty.
