If you are a social networking veteran you remember a time long ago when Facebook was the new kid on the block. Tied at the hip to a limited number of college campuses it was “interesting” but not accessible enough to capture your full attention. More than likely you and your network had an account on MySpace.com. This juggernaut of social networking was free and lucid. In 2005 it boasted 250,000 new users per day. It’s nearest competition Friendster was being beaten to a pulp by a virtual Mike Tyson upercut. Users could customize their profile with cutesy backgrounds and html-like coding to create an experience that was fun to play with and build. Interaction ocassionaly went a little to far. Random members occasional used the site as dating service…..minus the fees, grainy pictures, and empty promises of everlasting love…. I digress.
What happened?
Some people blame /credit Facebook.com for creating several new features and upgrades. The most powerful occurred in 2005 when they opened membership to anyone with a functional email address and the ability to fog a mirror (foreshadowing). By no means can I discredit the upgrades and improved functionally crafted by Mark Zukerberg and his team of web wizards. However, more can ownest can be handed to MySpace.com. Functionally speaking, they dragged their feet on simple additions including AJAX. A tool that allows users to post comments and information without visiting a specific page. Sounds simple, but this feature allowed Facebook to transform from a community of college kid/gen y’s to industry powerhouse in 4 years. MySpace’s biggest mistake was their failure to restrict membership and content. As a result a flood of bad press sent users fleeing to greener pastures (i.e. facebook). Most notably on October 16, 2006 Megan Meier committed suicide after being taunted on MySpace with bulletins and notes created by the parent of one of her classmates…..To say this was “not a good look” for MySpace is a understatement. Soon they morphed from a flourishing community of people interested in connecting, sharing pictures, and generally have a good time….. into the seedy, creepy, and over sexed underbelly of the internet. Harsh words I know….but the truth is the truth.
I have all but abandoned MySpace and so have most of my friends. We grew tired of spam from random aspiring rockers, rappers, and “hot babes” that wanted us to “click here” to see their “new pictures” (#fail…#epicfail). Most recent numbers report that Facebook has 236 million users to MySpace 126 million. Clear advantage to Facebook…but it isn’t over yet.
The Death of Facebook
Overall Facebook is still the social networking site of choice 2 to 1 per widget designer Gigya . However, they may consider the mistakes of MySpace if they plan to keep their strangle hold on the industry. By abandoning the college student only model that spawned their early success they have invited the same predators, lurkers, weirdo’s and creeps that encouraged many escape MySpace. The static nature of their layout protects them from most MySpace-like issues. However, humans are creative by nature, and Facebook has had it’s share of bad press ranging from outlaw criminals taunting authorities to kidnappers planning abductions using status updates. ( #fact)
Yesterday I asked my good buddy Sean Walton from The Fresh Xpress to send me a screen shot of his Facebook homepage. As expected he had 119 events invites, 361 friend request, 223 “other request”, and nearly 3,000 messages. What does this mean?
1. Event Spam
Please stop sending me your invites…I havent lived within 200 miles of (insert city here) in 4 years. I dont even like Ska Music, or roller-blading” – Disgruntle Facebook User
With 119 unread event request there is no way he even bothers checking these. Facebook has inadvertently created a new genre of anonymous web harassment loathed by everyone that enjoyed the good old days. You can call it what you like, I call it “Event Spam”. Promoters, clubs, non-profits etc blindly send invites to their entire friends list with no regard for their interest level. These invites also inflate the number of “unread message” discouraging users from checking their inbox. As result legitimate communication is overlooked and opportunities are waisted.
2. Application Spam
Look…. I love your mom to death and I’m really glad she is learning how to use a computer. I’m even glad she is on Facebook and collected a whopping 15 friends….but can you tell her I don’t want to join her Mafia, Yoville with her, and that Farmville is disturbing? – Disgruntle Facebook User
The influx of new users brought with it people who were not as computer savvy as the first Facebook generation. Facebook also gave users the ability to create applications. In theory this would allow us to increase the scope of benefits through programs unique to niche markets. In many cases this is true. Apps that integrate Facebook with Twitter, WordPress, Google, etc have been useful. However, with this we’ve been introduced to spam apps like Yoville, and Farmville. When added to their profile users are given the opportunity to invite their entire friend list to also use the app. There acceptance not only sends an invite to their friends list but it also post an annoying link on their wall. This abscess of a feature preys on the novice computer users inability to know what exactly is going on. Application spam also inflates the number of unread messages and discourages users from interacting with their friends list.
The users that initially bought into Facebook are slowly transitioning into new social networking avenues. The most publicized is twitter. Its simplicity makes it seems safer and allows for smaller networks of people who actually know each other. It to has it short comings. While Facebook is becoming the new MySpace , Twitter may be come the new Facebook.
What About MySpace?
Myspace = Creepy
MySpace as we knew it is has gone the way of the vinyl album. Very few use it, except for a few die-hard fans that enjoy its unique feature and qualities. Myspace recently purchased the music networking site, Imeem.com. MySpace Music is their new approach. With record sales slumping, connecting musicians with fans, industry folks, and other musicians may be their saving grace. The moral of the story involves the balance between innovation, accessibility and exclusivity. Innovation is only marketable if users feel exclusive and safe from those that want access for reasons that will cheapen the quality of the overall experience.
What are your thoughts?
What (if anything) makes Facebook less appealing?
What new social network outlets do you find interesting? Why?
Jeremy K. Smith 