Social Networking Is Not a Business*
technologyreview.com
Social Networking Is Not a Business*
1–10 of 11 posts
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#2Almost no (current) social networks provide a service - they provide a distraction. And we're supposed to be surprised that they're having a hard time making money?
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#3Almost no (current) social networks provide a service - they provide a distraction. And we're supposed to be surprised that they're having a hard time making money?
They make money. It's just not explosive growths.
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#4Almost no (current) social networks provide a service - they provide a distraction. And we're supposed to be surprised that they're having a hard time making money?
I would argue distraction is a service, but not an easy one to monetize, at least in this form.
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#5This chart is interesting. http://www.technologyreview.com/files/17765/chartusads_x600....
Online advertising is growing massively. Social network advertising is growing dismally. Why so many people are still kicking the dead donkey?
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#6Almost no (current) social networks provide a service - they provide a distraction. And we're supposed to be surprised that they're having a hard time making money?
I would argue distraction is a service, but not an easy one to monetize, at least in this form.
It's easy to make money if you're willing to set a price. The trouble for web-based distractions is that they're afraid the price will be too high and kill their traffic.
Weewar.com is a solid game, but it's still just a distraction. The way they're making money is by providing a "pro" version where you get access to more distractions: http://weewar.com/upgrade
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#7Almost no (current) social networks provide a service - they provide a distraction. And we're supposed to be surprised that they're having a hard time making money?
I would argue distraction is a service, but not an easy one to monetize, at least in this form.
I'd say "entertainment" is a service. Although entertainment can be a distraction, it's a) not necessarily a distraction; b) a component of being entertainment. Purely (or at least mainly) being a distraction isn't a service. And it's hard to think of most "social networks" as much of anything more than a distraction.
Really, of the major social networks, I can't think of one that does anything that's not done better somewhere else. And, at least so far, no social networking site has combined those services in a synergistic way.
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#8Is that Leah Culver on the cover?
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#9Almost no (current) social networks provide a service - they provide a distraction. And we're supposed to be surprised that they're having a hard time making money?
http://www.realitywanted.com
Read about them in my local paper. They actually charge for premium features.
Re: Social Networking Is Not a Business*
#10That's because the social networks haven't opened up the floodgates yet, they're still in data collection mode. The real revenues come when they sell your data -- when Facebook tells Miller that you are a central person in your social network who just sent a message about Bud Light to a frat buddy -- that's when Miller sends you a special offer for your next party and when the real revenues for Facebook come.