An Internet forum, or message board, is an online discussion site. It is the modern equivalent of a traditional bulletin board, and a technological evolution of the dialup bulletin board system. From a technological standpoint, forums or boards are web applications managing user-generated content.

People participating in an Internet forum can build bonds with each other and interest groups will easily form around a topic's discussion, subjects dealt within or around sections in the forum.

Forums are also useful in forming a community of people to help each other with technical support or advice. For example, a person can submit a question and all the forum members can then comment and help them find a solution or answer. Very useful in reducing customer services call for a company.