--- title: "Secret, Yik Yak: The State of Anonymous Social Apps" id: "28350" type: "post" slug: "secret-yik-yak-the-state-of-anonymous-social-apps" published_at: "2015-05-06T15:01:48+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-16T13:57:05+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/05/06/secret-yik-yak-the-state-of-anonymous-social-apps/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2015/05/06/secret-yik-yak-the-state-of-anonymous-social-apps.md" excerpt: "While Secret's recent demise has raised questions about the viability of anonymous social apps, a key competitor is still riding high. Here's why. Also: One association exec shares her insights on trade group culture." taxonomy_category: - "Learning" taxonomy_post_tag: - "apps" - "AssociationsNow" - "community effort" - "Technology" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Executive Team" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Executive Leadership" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Secret, Yik Yak: The State of Anonymous Social Apps Last week, the social network Secret, which allowed users to post anonymous messages, saw its quick growth sputter out—[and its founders shut it down (opens in a new tab)](https://medium.com/secret-den/sunset-bc18450478d5) . Lights out, that’s it. But Secret’s demise doesn’t mean anonymous apps are altogether out of vogue. In fact, one of its competitors, [Yik Yak (opens in a new tab)](http://www.yikyakapp.com/) , is reaching new heights: Its funding topped $70 million at last count. Part of the reason for that might be that the company is willing to step in when problems arise. In an interview at *TechCrunch Disrupt* on Tuesday, [Yik Yak founders Brooks Buffington and Tyler Droll noted (opens in a new tab)](http://techcrunch.com/2015/05/05/yik-yaks-founders-on-the-value-of-anonymous-apps/) that their goal has never been growth for the sake of growth. Yik Yak has been willing to make bold moves to ensure that its product’s focus remains on community rather than mere anonymity. For example, the company blocked all access to the network near high schools nationwide, ensuring that it couldn’t be used for cyberbullying. That move could have threatened the app’s momentum; instead, it did the opposite. The result has been a success story that could provide lessons for associations trying to build communities of their own—anonymous or not. “People feel such an attachment to this group of people,” Buffington said during the interview. ### Get Your Culture Working https://vimeo.com/125469036 In the latest in *CEO Update*‘s [series of interviews (opens in a new tab)](https://vimeo.com/ceoupdate) with association leaders, Jo Ann Emerson, CEO of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association, discusses the steps necessary to build a great association culture. Watch the clip for more details. ### Other Links of Note **Here’s unlikely advice from *Lifehacker*:** If you’re looking to maximize productivity at the airport, [board your plane last (opens in a new tab)](http://lifehacker.com/make-airport-time-more-productive-by-boarding-your-plan-1702403700) . **Guy Kawasaki may know a bunch** about the for-profit world, but [his advice on boards (opens in a new tab)](http://guykawasaki.com/how-to-manage-your-board/) easily translates to nonprofits, too. **Did you miss Jamie Notter and Maddie Grant** [at ASAE’s 2015 Great Ideas Conference](http://associationsnow.com/2015/03/millennials-inclusion-key-reflections-great-ideas-2015/) ? You’ll have another chance to see them talk about their new book, *When Millennials Take Over*, in DC next week. [Learn more here (opens in a new tab)](https://mystuff.asaecenter.org/ebusiness/meetings/productmeeting?ID=108265&CSURL=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Easaecenter%2Eorg%2FEducation%2FCalendar%2Ecfm%3FCalendarID%3D15482%26CalendarMonth%3D5%26CalendarYear%3D2015%26utm_content%3Dbufferc8130%26utm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter%2Ecom%26utm_campaign%3Dbuffer) . Yik Yak founders Brooks Buffington and Tyler Droll. (Handout photo) [Ernie Smith](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Ernie Smith is a former senior editor for Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/ernie-smith/) Tags: [#apps](https://associationsnow.com/tag/apps/) [#community effort](https://associationsnow.com/tag/community-effort/) [#Technology](https://associationsnow.com/tag/technology/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoAmerican College of Emergency Physicians: ACEP Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation ProgramSeptember 24, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/09/24/american-college-of-emergency-physicians-acep-geriatric-emergency-department-accreditation-program/) - [PodcastAssociations Now Presents: Beyond the Tech Stack: How AI Is Changing the Association PlaybookOctober 29, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/10/29/associations-now-presents-beyond-the-tech-stack-how-ai-is-changing-the-association-playbook/) - [PodcastWhy Associations Must Rethink Learning and Community TogetherMarch 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/03/26/why-associations-must-rethink-learning-and-community-together/) - [PodcastWhy AI Certification Matters for Association LeadersFebruary 26, 2026](https://associationsnow.com/2026/02/26/why-ai-certification-matters-for-association-leaders/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2015%2F05%2F06%2Fsecret-yik-yak-the-state-of-anonymous-social-apps%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !