We spoke with Ashley, the owner of Chatting Time, about her long history with forums, how things have changed over the years, and what it really takes to keep a community going in 2026.

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you first got into running online forums?
Well, I’ve been running forums off and on since approximately 2007, so almost 20 years. I no longer remember how I got into forums exactly, but I do remember being on a Backstreet Boys forum and I think that’s how it started, but I think a lot of it was by accident. I enjoy forums, reading, listening to music and playing video games.

2. What inspired you to create Chatting Time, and what kind of community were you hoping to build there?
This time around I just wanted a community of my own. In the early days it was because I was tired of joining all these strict forums.

3. You’ve run forums before this one — what were your earlier projects, and how did they shape your approach today?
Honestly, the whole 9 yards is still a learning curve for me, especially as far as the ACP is concerned 😂 I’m still not confident with any and all actions I take, but I’m getting there. One of my first forums was a Backstreet Boys fan forum called I Want It That Way, named after one of their most successful songs from their Millennium album. Millennium 2.0 came out this past summer and there’s an alternative version of the song called No Goodbyes which I honestly prefer better.

4. Looking back at your previous forums, what’s one thing you miss most about the “old days” of forum culture?
I’d say one thing I miss is how close even large communities were. I mean, in 2008 you could join a big forum like Forum Promotion and have maybe 50 people replying to just your introduction topic within 5 minutes of you making it.

5. What’s one thing that has improved about running forums today compared to when you first started?
I think that, to an extent, promotion communities have gotten more welcoming and helpful. When I first started administrating forums, I used to get comments like, “you’re not even going to last a month,” and I’m not going to lie, in the early days, they were sometimes right because I had no earthly idea what I was doing back then.

As you know, I almost pulled that again. However, this time it was stress-related more than anything. My mom had open heart surgery in January 2026, and while I love owning forums, my anxiety wasn’t having it. So I closed, thinking it was too much to handle. After a while things settled down, so I tried again. Then she was back in the hospital, and I thought, “that’s it, I’m really done now.” I logged out of my SMF forum thinking that was the end.

For a while it was, but things improved and I wanted to try again. I couldn’t get back into my old forum, so I looked for another host and chose Forumotion. I was a bit upset about starting over, but it was worth it since members were having registration issues on the SMF forum anyway.

6. Do you think forums are dying, or are they just evolving into something different?
I can’t really say for sure, but I can say forums aren’t what they used to be. Back in the day you had these active, super tight-knit forums where the atmosphere was like a virtual family. Those still exist, but they’re much harder to find now.

7. What do you think forums offer that social media platforms still don’t get right?
Apart from Facebook, I’m not on any social network at all, but I think the huge thing is organization. On forums, everything is right there in front of you. Posts stay around for a long time and you can easily search for what you’re looking for. That’s not easy on platforms like Facebook where you have to scroll endlessly.

8. What has been your biggest challenge in keeping a forum active and engaging?
Definitely keeping topics flowing and up to date. This is why I like to have content posters, so if I can’t be around for whatever reason, I know things are still moving.

9. How do you personally define a “successful” forum in 2026?
A forum that’s a friendly and welcoming community, inclusive of all members.

10. What role do you think moderation plays in shaping the tone and health of a community?
Basically keeping things in line and making sure both members and staff conduct themselves accordingly.

11. Have you noticed changes in user behaviour over the years (attention span, posting style, expectations)?
One of my first forums had a moderator who was an excellent poster—not just in quality, but quantity! I swear, sometimes I wondered if this guy ever slept 🤣

12. What do you think keeps members coming back to a forum instead of drifting to social media?
I think layout plays a huge role. As I said before, forums are much neater and easier to navigate than some social media platforms.

13. Outside of forums, what hobbies or interests do you spend your time on?
I enjoy reading, listening to music, and playing video games.

14. Do any of your hobbies influence how you run or design your forums?
Nope.

15. What advice would you give someone who wants to start their own forum today from scratch?
DON’T GIVE UP! Forums do not grow popular overnight. Don’t open your forum for a month or two, then close it and start another one later.

Final Thoughts

Ashley’s journey is a real reminder that running a forum isn’t about instant success—it’s about persistence, adaptability, and passion. From the early days of fan forums to rebuilding from scratch, her experience shows that while forums may have changed, the heart of a good community hasn’t.