Social community recruitment

What is the best way to find a good social community to join? Do you tend to prefer responding to shouts or is there a search function? Is free company the correct terminology? Back in my day when you had to walk up hills to and from your dungeon we called them linkshells, do those even exist anymore? I've left and returned to this game a number of times and never had a consistent group so I need to locate one for myself and a friend who is brand new to the game. Let me know your wonderful thoughts!