Definition:
VKontakte, also known as VK, is a social network that enables people to create profiles, publish content, communicate and participate in communities.
Table of contents
How VKontakte works
VKontakte brings communication, publishing, audiovisual content and services together within a single platform. Each user can create a profile, connect with other accounts and configure the visibility of their posts.
Content appears in profiles, communities and pages and can be distributed through posts or the platform’s own recommendations. Comparison with Facebook can help explain some functions, but the two networks have their own ecosystems, rules, formats and audiences.
Main VKontakte features
Available tools cover different types of content, communication and entertainment. Its main functions include:
- Profiles and posts: It supports sharing text, photographs, videos and other content, as well as managing who can view it.
- Contacts and communication: It includes following people, private and group conversations and, in supported environments, calls.
- Communities and pages: Users can create or follow spaces organised around interests, brands, creators or organisations.
- Video, music and entertainment: It integrates videos, clips, broadcasts, music content and other entertainment options whose availability may vary by territory.
- Mini apps and services: The VK ecosystem incorporates applications and functions that can be used without leaving the platform.
History of VKontakte
VKontakte was launched in 2006 as a service initially aimed at students and later expanded to a general audience. It was developed by Pavel Durov and other contributors and, over time, added communities, messaging, audiovisual content, applications, advertising and other services.
The VKontakte social network should not be confused with VK, the wider technology group to which it belongs, which brings together other digital products and services.
VKontakte reach
VKontakte’s audience is concentrated particularly in Russia and other Russian-speaking markets. According to VK’s results for the second quarter of 2026, the social network reached an average of 94.3 million monthly users and 65.2 million daily users in Russia. Mediascope data included in the report placed its monthly reach at 89% of the Russian Internet audience and its daily reach at 60%.
VKontakte governance
The platform enables users to configure profile privacy and post visibility. Application permissions and the conditions governing data processing should also be reviewed. The availability of functions, payments, advertising and content may depend on the country, account and platform rules.
Official information about VKontakte describes the service and its organisation.