Have you ever wondered just how big or popular the Steem blockchain really is? Well, I can describe it in one word, the word I pick is MASSIVE. What about Steemit.com? Have you ever wondering about the metrics and demographics behind the thriving social network that sits atop the Steem blockchain?
In this article I'd like to go over some interesting details about Steem and Steemit that may give you a better idea of things when it comes to the BIG PICTURE. Ok, let's see, where shall I begin?
A Brief History of Steem
The Steem blockchain was launched in 2016, its creators had a clear goal in mind when they created it. They wanted to disrupt social media and digital content websites and flip the business model upside down.
Instead of charging you to use their service or monitize it through targeted advertising they would do something completely different, they would actually pay you in digital assets to be a part of the community and make an effort in publishing content or interacting via comments.
As you probably know already, Steem's largest dApp is the Steemit.com social network website which has become incredibly popular over the past two years.
In fact according to recent Alexa data, Steemit.com is globally ranked 1,788 and currently remains the 1,635th most popular website in the United States!
But I'm getting ahead of myself... Let me go back a few steps...
Before Steem existed as code, it existed simply as an idea for a more equitable social network. Steem started as the brainchild of founders Daniel Larimer 
Steem was designed to be a blockchain that could handle an incredible number of transactions per second in order to facilitate content publishing in a decentralized manner.
Steem would provide the technological backbone in which to host the Steemit.com platform. Steemit was thought to target the problem of value transference through social media. It would be a social network that rewarded solid content producers, amazing writers, and basically anyone who had something of value to contribute to the community.
Although the original idea was developed in January of 2016, it took a few months to put it all together. A lot of hard work, effort and love was put into the project by Dan and Ned.
On March 24, 2016, the Steem blockchain was launched and mining began at 17:00:00 GMT.
It is interesting to note that the Steem blockchain was pre-coded to give out its first rewards on the 4th of July, 2016. We can only guess the message that existed behind this intelligent programming. Perhaps it was a message of freedom or independence?
Where are Steem and Steemit at now in terms of popularity and scope?
When we look at a few metrics behind Steemit.com it is actually an incredible success considering its popularity throughout the world.
Take a look at this graph below to get an idea of what I mean:
Digging into the metrics a bit deeper, there are a few more interesting things to learn about Steemit.
For example, its user base exists all over the world but the majority of its user-base comes from the United States, the U.K., Germany, Russia and India.
Beyond the geographical location of users, the demographics of Steemit.com are also quite interesting. According to data obtained from Alexa.com, Steemit.com users tend to be intellectuals with an impressive number of users holding one or more degrees from a university.
Beyond the demographics of the site, another interesting factor to look at is engagement. Steemians spend a lot of time creating content and supporting members of the community!
Steem is an entire ecosystem with Steemit.com being a large part of it but not the only way to access the blockchain. Other interfaces exist like SteemStem.com and Busy.org which can be used in a similar manner.
The fact is that we have come a long way in regards to showing the world that a decentralized social network that rewards participation is not only possible but in fact represents a better model than the tradition social media sites of today.
The future of decentralized platforms looks bright and good things lie ahead if we are patient and build towards them.
Image Source:
Blockonomi