Community social networking app Nextdoor launched a redesigned app that compiles local news and neighborhood alerts to serve daily life.
Nextdoor, which was founded in 2011, announced the redesign Tuesday as a way to ensure people use it as a daily utility. The new version of the app includes three sections: Alerts, hyperlocal push notifications for emergencies; News, a feed of vetted local news stories; and Faves, recommendations of services.
Nextdoor CEO Nirav Tolia told amNewYork that the app emphasizes the importance of communities, allowing individuals to connect and learn more about their neighborhood.
“Where we live is a conscious and intentional choice that each one of us makes, and it ultimately leads to what we believe is one of the most important communities of us all: the community in which you live,” Tolia said.
Nextdoor will include regular local news stories directly in users’ feed based on a network of 3,500 publications — including amNewYork’s parent company, Schneps Media. Each of the outlets are vetted and trustworthy, according to the company’s press release.
Tolia — who stepped down as CEO in 2018 after co-founding the company, only to return to the role in 2024 — said the company is shifting from its previous message board model to focus on a curated feed.
“It’s not different than the DNA of our original Nextdoor concept, which is we wanted to create one place you could go — if it’s happening in your neighborhood it’s on Nextdoor,” Tolia said. “But to organize local news, alerts and recommendations the way that we have now is something that we’re very excited about.”
Tolia said Nextdoor believes in the power of local media and hopes to bolster local newspapers’ readership through Nextdoor.
“Local news and information is as important to a city as air, water and gas,” Tolia said, quoting billionaire investor Michael Moritz, who funds one of the local San Francisco newspapers in Nextdoor’s network.
Local news is declining in influence and reach, according to the American Journalism Project, which has had measurable impacts on political polarization, government accountability and civic engagement.
Sam Cholke — manager of distribution for the Institute for Nonprofit News, a Nextdoor partner that represents over 500 nonprofit local news outlets — said in Nextdoor’s press release that Nextdoor’s focus on local news will help address that problem.
“Bringing local news to Nextdoor is an important step in helping communities find the information they need to thrive,” Cholke said. “Deeply reported, truly local news needs to be a part of spaces where neighbors talk about solving their shared problems, and we’re excited that Nextdoor is working closely with nonprofit news organizations who hold service to local communities at the heart of their mission.”
Tolia said the focus on local news also aims to combat misinformation by relying on vetted media partners.
“We had a dedicated team looking at the publishers that we felt were the highest quality, so that we could bring that high quality content to our neighbors,” Tolia said. “And so whether it’s neighbor-generated content or publisher-generated content, it’s vetted, it’s verified, and as a result, it’s something you can trust.”
Nextdoor previously faced problems of users posting misleading content and spreading misinformation, though experts say that is an issue plaguing all of social media.
Tolia said the new Nextdoor will ensure users remain engaged and connected with their communities.
“The same way that I open up Instagram or TikTok or The New York Times or amNewYork, I open up Nextdoor because I want to know what’s happening around me,” Tolia said. “That’s something we believe it ultimately turns into — kind of like reading the newspaper many years ago.”
