All the big social sites and apps are free to use but rely on advertising for revenue. I often see complaints about this and many people say they'd rather pay for a social site, but I wonder. App.net was supposed to be a next-generation social platform but it fizzled out, even under much fanfare. Does a paid social website model really work, or are we fooling ourselves? Are there any good examples?
Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
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Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#2Dating apps are a social network and most are paid. The key is to allow people to use the money they paid in-app-purchases as social proof. Eg, someone can 'woo' you on Bumble with flowers, which makes them stand out from the crowd of mere right swipes.
Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#3I would happily pay for a social network. My dream is EU breaking up Facebook and forcing them to become a federated service where many service providers can compete. Facebook would work the same way it does now but I would be able to choose, and pay, my own Facebook-protocol service provider. Just like we do with phone service.
Because the huge majority of my friends would not consider paying for a social network.
Many have noticed that Facebook provides a lot less value than it used to. They no longer use it to stay in touch with friends but rather to share random news/opinion articles. It would be hard to convince them that what's ruining Facebook is ads and that if they would pay those problems would go away.
Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#4Dating apps are a social network and most are paid. The key is to allow people to use the money they paid in-app-purchases as social proof. Eg, someone can 'woo' you on Bumble with flowers, which makes them stand out from the crowd of mere right swipes.
That's not the way social proof works. I know that the flowers idea is just an example, but in general giving material things, even virtual gifts, to women is just not an effective seduction strategy. It's actually counterproductive in this day and age.
Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#5I would pay to never again have to have anything to do with a social network.
Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#6Dating apps are a social network and most are paid. The key is to allow people to use the money they paid in-app-purchases as social proof. Eg, someone can 'woo' you on Bumble with flowers, which makes them stand out from the crowd of mere right swipes.
That's not the way social proof works. I know that the flowers idea is just an example, but in general giving material things, even virtual gifts, to women is just not an effective seduction strategy. It's actually counterproductive in this day and age.
Agreed that virtual gifts may not be the best indication of wealth - we should look at conversion rates here - but studies generally show the same man standing with symbols of wealth is viewed as more attractive than one standing without them.
Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#7Yes, but not in the way most social networks are.
My siblings and I communicate privately through Google+ circles. None of the photos, posts, etc are published to the broader world ever. Unfortunately, Google Plus has been on its death bed and won't be what we can use forever.
Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#8Lots of people pay for strava - i guess its about vertical markets
Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#9- I never thought I would pay for music before Spotify.
- I never thought I would pay for movies before Netflix.
Re: Ask HN: Would you really pay for a social network?
#10Maybe.