Tuesday, February 27, 2007

Social Networking Trends

Many people consider the beginning of the social networking trend with the advent of Friendster and their now patent pending linking to your friends algorithms. However, does anyone remember thesquare.com which still exists today? The Square is a site that created a community based on where you went to school. It underwent much criticism as being elitist since it only allowed the Ivy League Universities and a few other esteemed institutions (e.g. Stanford, Johns Hopkins, MIT).

The trend in social networking is rapidly looking like the landscape that the Square first pioneered: Building a niche group of individuals that have something in common. Sometimes ANYTHING! Sneaker Fanatics, Models from Top Modeling Agencies Only, Bodybuilders, are just some of the niche social networks that are popping up. In theory, each social network is great. There is a very easily identifiable demographic (e.g. sneaker fans), user generated content (freeing the company from having to think up anything new), stickiness (lots of time spent on site, since this is an interest for the user), and data sharing (each user gets more out of the social network the more information that they provide to it). However, because each social network takes up so much time and the whole point of the social network is to find others will similar likes and interests, only those with large enough user bases will be able to gain traction. MySpace has done very well with over 150 million profiles and counting, but marketers have caught on as well as the typical “gray” side of the internet, (adult sites, gambling, spam, etc). Profiles are being created that appear to be real people inviting you to online gambling rooms, to view their private webcams, and to hock other products and services traditionally tied to email marketing.

What will happen here? I think that companies like 5across (now acquired by Cisco) that are creating multiple social networks for multiple verticals which also allows the user to port their profile across different networks will emerge as the way to go. Today’s users have too many interests to be able to create a different social network profile for their myriad of interests. Other networks with not enough die-hard fans (Wal-mart shoppers, for example) will die a quick but quiet death.

2 comments:

  1. Hi !.
    You may , perhaps curious to know how one can manage to receive high yields .
    There is no initial capital needed You may commense earning with as small sum of money as 20-100 dollars.

    AimTrust is what you need
    AimTrust represents an offshore structure with advanced asset management technologies in production and delivery of pipes for oil and gas.

    It is based in Panama with offices around the world.
    Do you want to become really rich in short time?
    That`s your chance That`s what you wish in the long run!

    I feel good, I began to get real money with the help of this company,
    and I invite you to do the same. It`s all about how to choose a correct companion utilizes your money in a right way - that`s AimTrust!.
    I make 2G daily, and my first deposit was 1 grand only!
    It`s easy to start , just click this link http://etumegopa.digitalzones.com/uwaxel.html
    and go! Let`s take our chance together to feel the smell of real money

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi there!
    I would like to burn a theme at here. There is such a thing, called HYIP, or High Yield Investment Program. It reminds of ponzy-like structure, but in rare cases one may happen to meet a company that really pays up to 2% daily not on invested money, but from real profits.

    For several years , I earn money with the help of these programs.
    I'm with no money problems now, but there are heights that must be conquered . I make 2G daily, and I started with funny 500 bucks.
    Right now, I managed to catch a guaranteed variant to make a sharp rise . Visit my web site to get additional info.

    http://theinvestblog.com [url=http://theinvestblog.com]Online Investment Blog[/url]

    ReplyDelete