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.
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.
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Easier conversations
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Genuine connection
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Discover new things
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:
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Music
Favorite artists, genres, concerts, playlists
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Gaming
Games you play, favorite genres, gaming setups
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Sports
Teams you follow, sports you play or watch
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Art & Design
Drawing, painting, digital art, graphic design
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Books & Reading
Favorite genres, authors, book recommendations
movie
Movies & TV
Shows you're watching, film genres, favorites
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Tech & Coding
Programming, gadgets, apps, tech news
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Fitness
Workouts, sports, outdoor activities
animation
Anime & Manga
Favorite series, genres, characters
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Photography
Camera gear, editing, photo subjects
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Cooking & Food
Recipes, cuisines, food shows
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Crafts & DIY
Making things, crafting, projects
Tip: Pick interests you genuinely care about—it's easier to have real conversations about things you actually enjoy.
How to message someone based on a shared interest
Found someone with a shared hobby? Here's a simple formula for your first message. For more tips, check out our guide on how to start a conversation with new friends.
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!"
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_noteMusic
1Hey! I saw you're into [artist]—what's your favorite album by them?
2I noticed we both like [genre] music. Discovered any good songs lately?
3What got you into [music type]? I've been listening to it a lot recently.
sports_esportsGaming
1I see you play [game]! What's your favorite part about it?
2We both play [game type] games—are you playing anything good right now?
3How long have you been into [game/genre]? I just started getting into it.
movieMovies & TV
1I noticed you like [show/genre]—have you seen [similar show]?
2What's a movie you could rewatch forever? I'm always looking for recommendations.
3We both like [genre] shows! What are you watching right now?
sports_basketballSports
1I saw you're into [sport]—do you play or mostly watch?
2Who's your favorite team? I've been following [sport] for a while.
3How did you get into [sport]? I'm curious about your story.
paletteCreative Hobbies
1I noticed you're into [art/craft]—what kind of stuff do you make?
2How long have you been doing [creative hobby]? Your work looks cool.
3We both like [creative interest]! Do you have a favorite project you've done?
interestsAny Interest
1I saw we share an interest in [topic]—what got you into it?
2What's your favorite thing about [shared interest]?
3We're both into [interest]! How do you usually spend time on it?
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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:
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Respect boundaries.If someone doesn't want to share certain details or seems uncomfortable, don't push.
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Keep personal info private.Don't share your address, school, phone number, or other identifying details early on.
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Trust your instincts.If something feels off, stop replying. You can block and report anyone who makes you uncomfortable.
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Take your time.Real friendships develop naturally. Don't feel pressured to share everything or move too fast.
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.