Of particular interest is the fact that social media registration information requirements seem to be diminishing. Whilst traditionally registration processes were long and drawn out, a corollary of attempting to 'lock-in' the user, this no longer seems to be the case. Most communities now allow relatively simple sign up processes that take two or three minutes to complete. I assume that instead of relying upon lock-in as a means of reaching critical mass, social media platforms are instead opting for simple processes that either encourage multi platform use, or at least encourage users to try their offerings. Critical mass appears to count for very little in the current climate; sites like MySpace for instance are constantly losing ground to upstarts, at present the most notable of which is Facebook. If the registration processes remain as easy as they currently stand, I imagine that the number of social media sites will continue to increase.
Danny
· 1 year ago
It's certainly true that the ease in which to create a social media profile now - email and password - has led to the proliferation of sites available.
Hopefully, though, social media will go the same way as almost every other new trend has - quality over quantity. Then again, it didn't work for Sony's Betamax format...
Thanks for sharing your views.
Keren Dagan
· 1 year ago
FriendFeed allow you to add up to 43 services. I agree it does seems like that we arrived at a turning point. Keren
The entire situation reminds me of the search engine wars in the late 90's. The explosion of such services most likely means that the market is about to mature.
Within the next period, we will see a series of players grabbing a more and more commanding lead, ultimately making the success of newcomers close to impossible.
Social media is waiting now for its Google.
Regards, George
Danny
· 1 year ago
@ George.
Valid comparison, George, and one that I agree with. There does seem to be a steady groundswell of services similar to the abundance of search engines towards the end of the 90's. It'll be interesting to see which service becomes this era's Google, as you mention - I have a feeling it won't be anyone we're expecting.
Thanks for sharing.
The Lovable Rogue
· 1 year ago
The difficulty in predicting the likely winner is made more difficult by the fact that all 'Web 2.0' platforms will invariably be superseded by 'Web 3.0' applications. Search is slightly different, as such sites represent informational 'gate keepers'. As such, these utilities are likely to remain a consumer imperative. Social platforms, such as social networks, are not as important to the user. As such, I can see social platforms quickly losing grounds to new applications as and when they appear. As far as I see it, the most important facet of 'Web 2.0' is the centrality of the conversation. Each of these applications offer conversational leverage. Web 2.0 is a social revolution, not necessarily a technical one. As such, I think that the next social applications are likely to reflect contemporary social thought.
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Hopefully, though, social media will go the same way as almost every other new trend has - quality over quantity. Then again, it didn't work for Sony's Betamax format...
Thanks for sharing your views.
Keren
<abbr>Keren Dagan´s last blog post..Blogging for AltSearchEngines and the quest behind the search</abbr>
Within the next period, we will see a series of players grabbing a more and more commanding lead, ultimately making the success of newcomers close to impossible.
Social media is waiting now for its Google.
Regards, George
Valid comparison, George, and one that I agree with. There does seem to be a steady groundswell of services similar to the abundance of search engines towards the end of the 90's. It'll be interesting to see which service becomes this era's Google, as you mention - I have a feeling it won't be anyone we're expecting.
Thanks for sharing.