my favorite groups in this order:

"The Art of Marketing You"... marti garaughty is the moderator and a real professional....

"Bartender, Make it a Double"...moderator is Chris Ann Cleland 

"Old Fatrs Club" moderator is Myrl Jeffcoat 

"RE/MAX ActiveRain Bloggers" ...moderator is Kay Van Kampen 

"Bananatude" moderators are many but first listed is Anna Banana Kruchten 

I do my best to read the posts in my group, Bartender, Make it a Double.

My favs include Addicted to Active Rain, Bananatude & Craptacular.

In no particular order:

Bananatude

Bartender Make it a Double

2016 Market Reports (Newbies need to get on board with Market Reports)

The Art of Marketing You

Ask an Ambassador 

I haven't posted or accessed Groups in quite some time. 

I did used to enjoy BananaTude, Craptacular, The Lounge and Bartender make it a Double.

Hi Fred - Good question. I like BananaTude, Active Rain Newbies, Bartender Make it a Double, Ask an Ambassador, The Longe at ActiveRain.

Is it just me, or do the groups seem to be getting less attention than in past times?

My favorite group is The Art of Marketing You

The Lounge at ActiveRain

Newbies

Banatude

Bartender Make it a Double

I believe following people not groups is more profitable.

I wouldn't recommend any groups.  I don't think it makes any difference.

Activerain newbie, BananaTude, Make mine a double,around the water cooler, marketing 101

I'm fond of :

(1) The "Photos" group for those who have interesting photos to share.

(2) The "Old Farts Club" - For those hoping to stay up to speed with technology and social media changes - Whether young or old. 

(3) The Feather Nesters group - For those interested in home improvement or feathering their nest.

(4) The Bartender Make it a Double" group is perfect for those who understand why real estate professionals sometimes drink.

(5) ActiveRain Newbies - Is great for newbies, and even those who have been around for awhile.

Groups, Snoops; does anyone really pay attention any longer? After Roger D. Mucci deserted AR; it just ain't the same place!

I do not worry about groups these days. 

I would advise new members not to join ActiveRain groups. They will probably have better results with Facebook groups.

Wow, I haven't used the groups in forever - I know the AR Community one, and I have a few KW ones - not sure which are dead these days

Not a Groupie here.

i am going to find a few new groups to join from this list, i think many of the ones i belong to are defunct

I have not used the groups feature in many years.

In Alphebetical order:

• Addicted to Active Rain
• Banatude
• Bartender, Make it a Double
• Crap-tacular
• Photos

And the obvious one  - "Newbies"?  There were two instances when I was a new blogger that I got really snotty emails from one of the moderators over some faux pax, so I left and never went back.  

Groups are supposed to be fun!

BananaTude, Bartender make it a double, AR Newbies, AR Contests, 2016 Market Reports

I don't really have any favorites, and think the group thing has lost its mojo.

• Ask an Ambassador
• ActiveRain Newbies
• Welcome to my neighborhood
• Blogging & SEO
• Facebook Fridays

While these are not my favorites they are the ones I would recomment for a newbie

There are so many groups I don't even know exist! I've been asking for them to be categorized somehow, there are many redundancies as well.

I like inspiration station, advice for buyers, advice for sellers (not sure those are the actual names). Beyond that I'm drawing a bit of blank.

Bananatude

Bartender Make It A Double

Craptacular

2016 Market Reports

I also post in California Real Estate but obviously that's due to my location.

Makes no difference....... Most sign up are not active.

parked and reading

2016 Market Reports, ActiveRain Newbies, Anything Goes, Vblogger and Addicted To ActiveRain.

Bananatude is our fave, Photos, Bartender Make it A Double, The Lounge...A

Bananatude is always good, and Vegas Bob has a bunch of them that are good too, and...

Why not, join as many as possible. If there is any value in doing so for a newbie or any other member.....i'm not sure. 

Because the NEWBIE agent should be taking care of business, I would recommend:

ideaVertising

Golden Day

Frostproof Churches Religious Real Estate

They won't be spending any time in those groups so they can get back to taking care of their business.

If a newbie needs help they should turn towards the one they are paying and can ultimately hold accountable, not strangers on the Internet.