How to build a social network in Bubble

A simple and valid way to build a social network in Bubble is to create a clear Data structure (User, Post, Comment, Like), set up basic page workflows for creating and displaying content, and use Privacy Rules to control who can see what. You don’t need plugins for the core features; you use Bubble’s built‑in Database, Repeating Groups, and Backend Workflows to make everything behave like a real social app.

Core Data Structure

Bubble social networks work best when your database is simple and predictable. Create these Data Types:

• User: built‑in type. Add fields like “bio (text)”, “avatar (image)”, “followers (list of Users)”.
• Post: fields: “author (User)”, “text (text)”, “image (image)”, “created\_date (date)”.
• Comment: fields: “post (Post)”, “author (User)”, “text (text)”.
• Like: fields: “post (Post)”, “user (User)”.

Create a Feed

Add a Repeating Group on a page and set its Type of content to Post. Data source should be a simple search:

// Search for Posts
Do a Search for Posts
sorted by created_date descending

Inside the Repeating Group, place text elements bound to Current cell's Post's text, and image bound to Current cell's Post's image.

Adding Posts

Place an input and a button. Button workflow action:

• Create a new Post
• author = Current User
• text = Input Post's value
• image = Uploader's value (if used)

Likes and Comments

Add a “Like” button inside each post cell. Workflow:

• Check if a Like exists where user = Current User and post = Current cell's Post.
• If yes → delete it (unlike). If no → create a new Like.

For comments: create a multiline input below each post and a workflow to “Create a new Comment”. Show comments in another Repeating Group filtered by post = Current cell's Post.

Privacy Rules

• For Post: “When this Post’s author is logged‑in User → allow read”. Add a general read rule like “Everyone can read created\_date, text, author” if you want a public feed.
• For User: expose only username, avatar, and bio. Hide emails.

Backend Workflows

Use them for sending notifications or cleaning data. Example: when a Comment is created, schedule a backend workflow to notify the post author.

// Backend workflow trigger
When Comment is created
Send email to This Comment's Post's author

This creates a functioning, scalable social network using real Bubble features without overcomplication.