Freerepublic was formed at the beginning of a freewheeling Internet. Those times are past. Freerepublic uses software developed by its founder, Jim Robinson. It is a barrier to develop independent original software. Freerepublic does not depend on ads. It depends on donations. It barely survives. The number of people donating are tiny. As I recall, less than 1% of Freerepublic members. The software and banking institutions used to fund donations are being weaponized against conservatives. They are tightly centralized and controlled by leftists. The amount of money required to start and develop a social media has become very large. It has become a barrier. The use of Social Justice Warriors (SJW) to destroy platforms that disagree with conservative platforms, is a barrier. Anyone who is willing to place an ad with a conservative platform will be attacked on the existing platforms. The barriers to entry are there, because it is much harder to build a competing railroad when there are several railroads already operating. I am not saying a platform cannot be developed, but it will be difficult. I would love to see it happen.
Very good summary.