Odnoklassniki (OK) has rolled out a refreshed experience focused on the things people love to do and the activities they care about. This update was confirmed by OK in a press briefing shared with socialbites.ca, outlining the company’s latest direction for user hobbies and interests.
In early September, the platform unveiled a dedicated service called Hobbies. At launch, OK spotlighted eight popular pastimes among Russian users — cooking, cars, crafts, fishing, pets, fashion, entertainment, and gardening. Subscribers can follow these topics through dedicated widgets embedded in the home feed, and a distinct category named Top Authors helps surface creators who are especially active within each hobby.
The Hobbies section has evolved to include a searchable hub and reimagined navigation. It is now easier for members to discover hobby-related content, and posts within Hobbies are now accessible to a broader audience. This openness means hobby discussions can appear in search results, broadening visibility for creators and brands alike. A note from OK indicates that some updates were made to indexing controls to balance discoverability with user privacy and platform integrity. The change was discussed in internal communications and cited in the company’s public update materials.
Two new sub-sections were introduced alongside Hobbies: Knowledge Base and Questions and Answers. The Knowledge Base curates articles and tutorial videos, selected and produced by OK editors in collaboration with professionals from various fields. The aim is to provide high-quality, practical content that supports learners and enthusiasts who want reliable guidance within their chosen hobby. The Questions and Answers area invites creators and businesses to engage directly with the Hobbies audience by answering user questions about specific hobby topics. This interactive approach helps build community trust and positions OK as a valuable resource for hobbyists seeking expert insights. [Attribution: OK official communications]
Earlier collaborations are also highlighted as part of OK’s commitment to accessibility and inclusive content. In partnership with the Surdoclass platform, OK previously released a series of video wishes featuring sign language translation, extending accessibility for the hearing-impaired community. These past initiatives illustrate OK’s broader strategy to diversify content formats and reach audiences who rely on different modes of communication while keeping the focus on practical, actionable help for hobbies. [Background note: OK and Surdoclass collaborative efforts]
By weaving together hobby discovery, authoritative knowledge, and interactive Q&A, OK aims to create a more dynamic space where users can not only browse but also participate, share experiences, and learn from specialists. The refreshed Hobbies experience reflects a broader trend in social platforms toward interest-centric ecosystems that help members build deeper connections around activities they are passionate about. It also aligns with evolving expectations for findability, where hobby content can surface through both in-feed widgets and targeted search results, enabling creators to reach a wider audience while offering practical value to the community. [Context: industry-wide shifts in social platforms and user expectations]