interestsInterest Guide

How to Make Friends With Similar Interests

Looking to find friends with the same hobbies? Shared interests are the foundation of great friendships. This guide shows you how to meet people with similar interests and turn those connections into real conversations.

favorite

Why shared interests make friendships easier

When you share an interest with someone, you already have something to talk about. There's no awkward silence—just natural conversation about something you both enjoy. Friends who share your interests understand your references, get excited about the same things, and can introduce you to new aspects of hobbies you already love.

category

Pick interests that lead to real conversations

Not all interests are equal when it comes to making friends. The best ones give you plenty to talk about and share. Here are interest categories that tend to spark good conversations. Tip: Pick interests you genuinely care about—it's easier to have real conversations about things you actually enjoy.

music_note

Music

Favorite artists, genres, concerts, playlists

sports_esports

Gaming

Games you play, favorite genres, gaming setups

sports_basketball

Sports

Teams you follow, sports you play or watch

palette

Art & Design

Drawing, painting, digital art, graphic design

menu_book

Books & Reading

Favorite genres, authors, book recommendations

movie

Movies & TV

Shows you're watching, film genres, favorites

code

Tech & Coding

Programming, gadgets, apps, tech news

fitness_center

Fitness

Workouts, sports, outdoor activities

animation

Anime & Manga

Favorite series, genres, characters

photo_camera

Photography

Camera gear, editing, photo subjects

restaurant

Cooking & Food

Recipes, cuisines, food shows

brush

Crafts & DIY

Making things, crafting, projects

mail

How to message someone based on a shared interest

Found someone with a shared hobby? Here's a simple formula for your first message.

1

Mention the shared interest

Show you noticed something specific. "Hey! I saw you're into [interest]..."

2

Ask an easy question

Give them something simple to respond to. "What's your favorite [thing related to interest]?"

3

Share a small related detail

Add a brief bit about yourself so it's not one-sided. "I've been really into [related thing] lately!"

chat_bubble

Copy-and-paste first messages

Not sure what to say? Here are ready-to-use messages grouped by interest. Personalize them with specific details for best results.

music_note

Music

Hey! I saw you're into [artist]—what's your favorite album by them? | I noticed we both like [genre] music. Discovered any good songs lately? | What got you into [music type]? I've been listening to it a lot recently.

sports_esports

Gaming

I see you play [game]! What's your favorite part about it? | We both play [game type] games—are you playing anything good right now? | How long have you been into [game/genre]? I just started getting into it.

movie

Movies & TV

I noticed you like [show/genre]—have you seen [similar show]? | What's a movie you could rewatch forever? I'm always looking for recommendations. | We both like [genre] shows! What are you watching right now?

sports_basketball

Sports

I saw you're into [sport]—do you play or mostly watch? | Who's your favorite team? I've been following [sport] for a while. | How did you get into [sport]? I'm curious about your story.

palette

Creative Hobbies

I noticed you're into [art/craft]—what kind of stuff do you make? | How long have you been doing [creative hobby]? Your work looks cool. | We both like [creative interest]! Do you have a favorite project you've done?

interests

Any Interest

I saw we share an interest in [topic]—what got you into it? | What's your favorite thing about [shared interest]? | We're both into [interest]! How do you usually spend time on it?

shield

How to keep it respectful and safe

Having shared interests makes connecting easier, but respect and safety still come first. Keep these points in mind as you build new friendships:

lightbulb

Respect boundaries.

If someone doesn't want to share certain details or seems uncomfortable, don't push.

lightbulb

Keep personal info private.

Don't share your address, school, phone number, or other identifying details early on.

lightbulb

Trust your instincts.

If something feels off, stop replying. You can block and report anyone who makes you uncomfortable.

lightbulb

Take your time.

Real friendships develop naturally. Don't feel pressured to share everything or move too fast.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Everyone has interests, even if they don't think of them as hobbies. Think about what you enjoy doing in your free time—watching shows, listening to music, playing games, or even just scrolling through certain types of content. These all count as interests you can connect over.
Start with 3-5 interests that you genuinely enjoy and can talk about. It's better to have a few interests you're passionate about than a long list of things you barely care about. Quality over quantity helps you find friends who really connect with you.
Not everyone is a great texter, and some people take time to warm up. Try asking a more specific question or sharing something about yourself. If they keep giving short answers after a few tries, they might just not be in a chatty mood—and that's okay. Move on and try connecting with someone else.
It's best to keep conversations within Zupp until you've built trust over time. Moving to another platform too quickly can put your personal accounts at risk. There's no rush—genuine friendships develop at their own pace.
Keep personal details private (like your address, school, or phone number), trust your instincts if something feels off, and use the block and report features if someone makes you uncomfortable. If you're under 18, consider talking to a trusted adult about your online friendships.
You can find our full set of rules in the Community Guidelines and detailed safety information in our Safety Center, both linked at the bottom of our website.
Interests that invite conversation work best—things like music, games, shows, sports, or creative hobbies. The key is picking things you genuinely enjoy and can talk about, rather than trying to seem interesting. Authenticity attracts the right kind of friends.

Ready to find friends who share your interests?

Start connecting with people who get you.

downloadMake Friends Onlinearrow_forwardmenu_bookStart a Conversation

Keep reading

How to start a conversationMake friends online safelyDownload Zupp