9 Essential Social Media WordPress Themes To Start Your Private Social Network in 2022

The craze for social media platforms is not new. The raging viral pandemic and physical distancing norms have highlighted the need and importance of virtual communication more than ever. However, despite the popularity of social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, controversies over hate speech and privacy issues have led creators to innovate social networks that can be managed and controlled without third-party intervention.

A private social network is an online space that lets users connect with others and share things selectively. It differs from conventional social media platforms in having more autonomy since control resides with the owners and users.WordPress being the time-tested choice for building robust and intuitive websites, let’s take a look at some of the best private social network themes available in WordPress.

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1. KLEO 

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Kleo is one of the best-selling WordPress multipurpose themes that come with premade demos to give you a headstart as you create your social network site. It works well as a WordPress social theme. Specifically designed for creators with little or no knowledge of coding, the built-in demos can be easily imported with just one click. Moreover, if you don’t find your taste in the diverse collection of demos, Kleo lets you create your very own website with unlimited design options and flexible headers and layout styles.

Highlights:

• Interactive and real-time sidekick tutorials for getting started with WordPress sites

• Intuitive and easy-to-use admin interface with unlimited customizations

• A unique Modular System to enhance speed and site performance

• Compatible with PayPal, Authorize.net, and Stripe for paid membership arrangements on sites

• GeoDirectory plugin for adding location-based features to the social network

• Sensei plugin for creating and writing e-learning materials

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2. Aardvark

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Aardvark social network theme is a complete theme package if you’re looking to create a private social network. Designed for various kinds of online communities, Aardvark comes with a host of impressive features to let you create groups, post updates, upload media, search profiles, send private messages, and much more on your WordPress-powered website. Among the social media themes, Aardvark comes with over 200 theme options to help you create just the site you want without coding!

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Highlights:

• Packed with a host of premium plugins

• Sensei plugin for creating online courses and paid membership plans for websites

• Seamless integration with WPBakery Page Builder for making quick and beautiful website content with drag and drop

• 100% compatible with WooCommerce

• Mobile optimized and SEO ready

• Regular updates and new features just a click away

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3. Olympus

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Olympus is an excellent online community-building tool for those looking to take their WordPress private social network site to the next level. What’s more, the Olympus 2.0 version comes integrated with the Youzify plugin - one of the best WordPress user profile plugins. With Olympus social media WordPress theme, you can import your favorite readymade demo onto your website with a single mouse click, and it requires absolutely no coding skills to create the website you want.

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Highlights:

• Social features like private messages, friendships, likes, comments, notifications, emoticons, mentions, and much more

• Profile features such as private profiles, profile newsfeed, profile tabs, and profile widgets

• Eight key wall post types like status, photo, audio, video, and link

• Improved and user-friendly login/registration form and navigation

• WooCommerce compatible for commercial social networks

• WPBakery Page Builder for quick and easy creation of website pages

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4. Beehive

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Up your online community game with Beehive - an advanced yet beginner-friendly social network WordPress theme that lets you deploy your private social network even if you have no coding knowledge. With a remarkable collection of stunning social templates and homepages, user chat features, group chats, and much more, Beehive has all that you need to get a good command over your private social network among the other social media themes.

Highlights:

• One-click demo import 

• Elementor Page Builder with drag and drop customization capabilities for creating impactful websites

• Responsive, app-like, mobile-friendly, and fully customizable themes with a custom color picker and unlimited sidebars

• Ajax login without redirecting users to the WordPress login page 

• Ajax search to enable searching content on the fly

• Google Fonts library with over 800 available fonts

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5. Seeko

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Looking to create a WordPress mentoring or dating site? Then Seeko might be your best call as a WordPress social network theme. Packed with tools that are bound to take your private social network site to the next level, Seeko WordPress theme offers all the features expected of a good social network. In addition, the demo can be easily imported with one click and is ideal for those who want to get started with a functional and ready-to-use site right away! More Seeko demos are on their way.

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Highlights:

• Seeko Pro Search for an easy and refine search experience

• STAX header builder for creating attractive page headers with full control

• A unique Seeko Matching System to help dating site  users find the most compatible partner

• Fast and progressive photo loading for enhanced performance and aesthetics

• Customizable Seeko Gallery for inserting captions, photos, and links

• Customizable Seeko tabs with Elementor Page Builder

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6. Gorgo

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Gorgo is the newest WordPress theme that can be easily integrated with BuddyPress. The perfect add-on to any community website, Gorgo’s aesthetic and design layouts can make any social network platform modern and sleek in minutes. 

With more than 40+ compatible plugins, this WordPress social theme is also feature-packed and highly functional. 

Gorgo is also quite quick and easy to set up and has support videos to assist you with the integration. It also boasts of an outstanding support team and quality documentation to make your social network platform set up smooth and seamless. 

Highlights:

• Deep Integration with WooCommerce, Paid MembershipsPro, Yoast SEO, BuddyPress, bbPress, Rtmedia, and others

• AdRotate Banner Manager integration set up to help monetize your site

• Google Maps support for your users to share location in real-time

• 100 Layout Options to help create a notable and unique social media platform

• Unlimited customization to help develop the site’s identity and online presence in line with your vision

• AJAX site-wide global search integrated to enable accurate search results on the spot

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7. Winku

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A highly responsive and functional WordPress theme, Winku was developed keeping in mind all social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter. Designed to pay heed to the user interface and experience, Winku Wordpress social theme provides an array of aesthetically pleasing social media templates which are also smart and fast owing to the grunt package integration. 

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Highlights:

• Inner pages such as login page, a social media news feed, image feed, video feed, profile pages available for use

• Designed to be responsive on all media devices

• Highly customizable to stamp your authority on your website

• Emoji keyboard for emoticon integration on wall posts

• Powerful Admin Panel to support and manage backend operations

• Mobile App on the roadmap to help users stay connected on the go

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8. Cirkle

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Cirkle is without a doubt the greatest social media WordPress theme available. The theme is built on BuddyPress, the most popular social networking plugin for WordPress websites. Cirkle is the finest for any social networking needs you may have thanks to its many features. It is at the absolute top because to its clear, contemporary design and incredible versatility.

With Cirkle, the built-in customizer offers greater theme choices.

Due to Cirkle's reliance on BuddyPress, it has the best social networking capabilities. Like members of well-known social sites like Facebook, your users can build friend lists.

Users of Cirkle can make groups that other users can join. Private groups require invitations from the administrators of the group before a member may join, whereas public groups are open to anybody who wishes to participate.

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Highlights:

• Profile badges: With Circle, users can display badges on their website in the same way that verified users display badges on Twitter and Instagram.

• Elementor friendly: Elementor based drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to build websites. The Gutenberg block builder is also compatible with WordPress, so you can also use it for customization.

• Lifetime free updates: Thanks to the clever creators, your website will remain up-to-date with the latest trends in the niche for life. 

• Responsive and mobile-friendly: Your site will look great on high-resolution displays with Circle as it is also Retina ready.

• Advanced Search Options: The Cirkle Ajax search feature makes it simple for users to locate particular posts, users, and comments. Your website has a fantastic advanced search bar with live search suggestions thanks to the advanced Ajax search.

• Private Chat: Cirkle has a private messaging system that enables your users to converse privately with one another. Additionally, they can use the theme's discussion boards to connect with other like-minded users.

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9. Lynk

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Another great WordPress social network theme is Lynk, which can be used to build an interactive online platform like Facebook. This theme looks fantastic on high-resolution displays because it is completely responsive to all devices and features a Retina Ready layout.

You can access any posts, users, and other website aspects with the global Ajax search. The installation procedure makes it exceedingly simple to set up a demo on your website.

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Highlights:

• Community: Since it is based on BuddyPress, it offers amazon community features. Users can create groups, Forums, Friend connections, send Private messages and much more.

• Directory: Business Directory Feature comes loaded with features. Add your local business shops & companies, create search forms, customizable Map with drag & drop live builder, Geo-Location (near me), and loads of add-ons line Review, Favorites, 3D view, FAQ, Working hours, etc.

• Magazine: You can have a Magazine or a News page on your WordPress Website to increase user engagement. It also allows your users to post articles with Admin control.

• Event Calendar: Easily add events for your community and style it as you want with image, date, organizer, and venue. It's also possible to sync with Google calendar.

• Social Connection: It is YouTube and Vimeo Live Stream compatible. Therefore, you don't have to post in multiple places. Post once and sync with other social stream pages.

• Shopping: Build your own e-commerce shop page by WooCommerce with all the advanced features like Paypal or more Payment, My Cart, My Page, Coupon, and Static.

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AtomChat for Private Social Network

AtomChat brings the easiest way to private messaging and video calling to your WordPress Social media Website. It is completely compatible with BuddyPress and Wordpress social network themes.  

AtomChat offers built-in a single package with everything that you need from a chat platform.

A secure and easy chat facility boosts user engagement on your social network or marketplace website to the next level.

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Amazing features of AtomChat for a Social Media WordPress Theme

• Enhance Your Website with Private and Group Chat
• Use the traditional text-based chat to stay relevant. fast, simple, and reliable
• Group and private chat notifications in real-time
• Supports large group chats with open-to-all and public groups support
• Secure communication with a password-protected, restricted group that only accepts invites
• Read receipts and a typing indicator for users

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In conclusion

While eminent social media giants rule the digital space, the buzz about private social networks cannot be overlooked. Besides the obvious fact that these private social networks eliminate the need for third parties, they bring a host of other benefits to the table, including full ownership, easier management, more opportunities to monetize, and a highly engaging and active community.

If you’re starting your private social network, the appearance of your website should be one of your primary concerns. After all, the look of your site can make or break the deal. The WordPress social network themes listed above are excellent choices for building online communities. However, we’d recommend that you consider your requirements first and check out a demo before investing.

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