The third generation of social-networking technology has hit the Web, and it's about content as much as contacts.
If there were a competition for "Internet Buzzword of the Year," last year's winner would have been "social networking," as a cohort of companies such as Ryze, Tribe, LinkedIn, Friendster, Spoke, and Visible Path, rolled out new or improved services that let Web users create online mirrors of their circle of real-life acquaintances. The idea was mainly to let users build online profiles that advertised their interests and to help them connect with friends and friends-of-friends around one of those interests -- whether it be finding a job, making a sale, or repairing an old motorcycle.
But with the exception of Friendster and Myspace, the initial response to these services among average Internet users was sluggish. Many users signed up for one or more services, created online profiles, formed connections with a few acquaintances, and drifted away, uncertain about how to use the networks.
But today, not only have all of these companies survived; they're experiencing record growth, introducing new technology and new money-making features, and being joined by sophisticated new competitors such as iMeem. Moreover, they're joining the parade of sites offering "rich media" -- the big buzzword of 2005 -- by encouraging users to share their own content online, including photos, videos, music, and other digital files.
Social networking, in other words, is finally becoming a real business with a convincing product.
"A year ago a lot of our users were pretty unclear about what they could do," says Konstantin Guericke, co-founder and vice president of marketing at LinkedIn, a social network focusing on business connections. "They knew they were getting invitations to join the network, and they knew how to accept invitations, and sometimes they sent their own invitations -- but they weren't sure what else to do with that."
A year later, LinkedIn's membership has grown from 1 million to 4.2 million; users are conducting 5 million searches a month for potential contacts within their own networks, and the company has launched several revenue-producing features, such as paid subscription options that allow members to search profiles outside their immediate circle of friends and friends-of-friends.
Rather than simply passing requests for introductions back and forth through their networks -- which was about all they could do a year ago -- LinkedIn members are using their networks for practical purposes, like finding job candidates, locating business and legal services, and coordinating group activities.
What makes all this possible, says Guericke, is the user-generated content LinkedIn holds in its members' profiles, such as resumes and testimonials. "First, we are a search engine. But second, we are a publishing platform -- about yourself and what other people say about you," Guericke says. "It just creates a more powerful business."
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Guest (Justin )
Guest (Sangmin Ahn)
So many news services --> Digg, So many SNS --> ?
There have been so many news services and they simply overwhelmed web surfers. I couldnt understand why so many portals and news agencies accomodate same (at least similar) stories in slightly different format. Web portals should not bother to edit their news sections. They must leave it to their users likewise Digg does. Now, there are so many social networking servicers. What right should be given to their users?
Guest (Cynthia)
I found another social networking website. I like it way better the those in this article becuase the makers focus on making a useful tool to create our own free website, rather than just connection. They have all of the networking and connecting tools too, but their blog and onlne journaling tool is bay far the best . I have all of my thoughte perfectly organized. MindDeposit is the website. Here's the link: www.minddeposit.com
Guest (Ravi)
Onto a new exciting site called Zonzia.net.
Zonzia.net is a step above the rest with top notch Video technology on it’s way. Video dating, resumes, profiles, and online conference will revolutionize online communities. This site is raising eyebrows in the social networking crowd and attracting a lot of attention. It’s “touch of class” personality puts it in a league of it’s own, drawing “gurus” of the social scene in for a closer look. Video being in the spotlight, there are many extras to Zonzia.net. Music, forums, groups, classifieds, and chat rooms are but a few, there is even a Zonzia.net .
Zonzia.net is 100% free a combination of youtube and myspace, and dating site with extra features I like very much, and I really enjoy my time on the site.
I join my voice to the others and I would like to add the fact that after a bout one month of being a member on Zonzia.net I found it easy to connect with friends, old and new; share your thoughts and ideas and express your creativity on the free social networking website, Zonzia.net.
Zonzia.net provides plenty of networking features to customize your personal profile and to get you on your way to establishing a large network of friends. Discover other avenues of expression by posting blogs and joining forums. Choose from a variety of extra features like Internet radio, videos and groups.
Zonzia.net would have been awarded our #2 spot if they were more diligent about monitoring their content.
Networking Features:
Zonzia.net has an assortment of features to customize your profile page. Upload photos, graphics, music, videos and choose from over 40 skins to make your profile unique.
Privacy settings allow only your friends to view your full profile while a limited profile is still accessible to other Zonzia.net members. You can see the last 100 people who have viewed your profile and if necessary, you can block individual members.
Ads appear around the periphery of profile pages, which some members may find annoying but they are not obtrusive.
Click on a member’s photo or name to view their profile page. View their photos and videos; read their personal blog, post comments and invite them into your network of friends. Narrow your member search to specific criteria like gender, age, relationship status and location.
Free Code = death to CyWorld in USA
Fortunately - users in the US have many options, for social networks - many new ones are springing up with fancy technology - or gimicky concepts - but the fundamental equation for success is simple.
One new branch is represented by "CyWorld" - a transplant from Korea. Unfortunately Cyworld has a take-it-or-leave-it from their collection of avatars and mini "virtual items" - to decorate your profile (home) and make it your own. It is not likely to appeal to many MySpace users.
Other sites are pushing new technology too - but often miss what users care about in terms of self expression and interaction.
MySpace may be terrible tecnnically - and not appeal to the geek "technorati" in elegance - but it is King with users - and it's easy to see why:
FREEDOM
The fundamental problem is diversity with the CyWorld Approach - MySpace has created a huge ecosystem of companies like www.skem9.com www.blemeshack.com www.glitter-graphics.com www.dolliecrave.com www.myonda.com www.createblog.com
the list and diveristy of sites serving different interests - with different layouts, graphics, video, music etc. to customize your profile - or ANY OTHER profile on another social network is astounding. There are litterally millions upon millions of items from thousands of sites. CyWorld only offers their items - yes for cute acorns, but C'mon?? Who would pay? All the sites offer Free Code - that you can put on any blog, website, profile, wherever...and they are not going away.
www.blemeshack.com has even launched a meta search engine to search all the other sites to find these free items and the free code...
You Tube is another Major market force - in distributing their video <embed> codes free - they have grown to be the market leader - and the dozens of video offerings that have followed - have all had to offer their video codes for distrbution - to MySpace profiles, blogs, and anywhere else...
Other social networks will grow - and in time - one may top myspace - but it will be based on leveraging all the FREE decoration and enhancement codes ALREADY out there... not by building a closed walled community - and trying to trick users with cutesy garbage into paying for a poorer choice of items.
Look at Tag World - which has tried to push and push it's own "widgets" (technically elegant and loved by techies) to enhance your profile - after tons of money spent - it's numbers still suck. Lost Cherry is a good example of an SN that is embracing all of the MySpace content sites - and enhancing some messaging features - and growing like a rocket. They have another revenue idea which is getting users to review advertisers offerings more closely - in exchage for points - but they are doing nothing to try to lock users in, and fully support HTML grabbed from any where - and stored in users bleme Shacks.
In the end - the equation is simple:
Free Code + Leveraging Existing Content + Demographic focus => Social Networking success.
joe
Just found this blog on the new direction of Social Networking (3.0) posted by the Godfather of Social Networking himself, Andrew Weinreich. It will be interesting to see how 3.0 develops and the role mobile technology will play. I'd watch his blog:
http://blog.meetmoi.com/
A great new Social Networking Site is Yuwie.com
It is a lot like Myspace, but you get paid for your page views + the page views of up to ten levels of referrals. I find it easier to use and more interactive than the other sites. Alexa.com shows it exploding to the top of the Internet listings. Check out Yuwie.com!
Zonzia.net is a great place for socializing, you can create your own profile exactly as you want you can add numerous pictures, you can either build old relationships or make new ones. Free chat, vedio chat, free 3D city and free games, blogs, forums, groups, and a lot more, I would throughly recommend zonzia.net.
This is petty cool guys. I have checked the site couple of days ago. We can do whatever thing like other social networks. You may better check out.
---------------
GAYATHRI
Wide Circles
Social Networking is the thing
I totally agree social networking and social media are on the rise. Seems to be one of the few industries with a lot of good buzz.
I started a couple of social media companies myself social media marketing, social networking software just to see what pans out, the buzz is just so exciting in these times of economic turmoil.
It is a little dated, but still has solid content. I read this and tried to incorporate some of the advice on http://wwww.TraderPlanet.com
Keep up the great work!
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Guest (Sangmin Ahn)
So many news services --> Digg, So many SNS --> ?
There have been so many news services and they simply overwhelmed web surfers. I couldnt understand why so many portals and news agencies accomodate same (at least similar) stories in slightly different format. Web portals should not bother to edit their news sections. They must leave it to their users likewise Digg does. Now, there are so many social networking servicers. What right should be given to their users?
Reply
tobto
1 Comment
Re: So many news services --> Digg, So many SNS --> ?
Because, SNS' fight for a surfer.
Reply
morganwardztas
2 Comments
Re: So many news services --> Digg, So many SNS --> ?
looks great to see.
__________
GAYATHRI
http://www.esteembpo.com
Reply
LaneMen
2 Comments
Re: So many news services --> Digg, So many SNS --> ?
We don't need anymore Social sites. There are enough already. http://wwww.TraderPlanet.com was started in Jan 2009 and even that was later than I had hoped for.
Reply