New data in the UK this week has shown that online searches via search engines for "facebook" and "myspace" has shown the former being searched for more.
The data showing actual visits to the sites also shows that Facebook is growing while Myspace and Bebo have levelled off and are declining slightly.
This has led to a flurry of articles and blog postings about how myspace is doomed and is old news and facebook will emerge the winner.
Is that true?
I think we can learn more about the power and importance of "buzz" and its effect on the online behaviour of consumers from this effect at this point in time!
Facebook has been getting a lot of attention (in fact unbelievable amounts) in the media generally and so not a surprise that people are responding by searching and trying it out. Some media outlets like "Guardian" have spent a lot of time on the topic.
The test will be where it settles down.
Myspace seems to be good for general getting out there and finding what is going on while facebook is better for real keeping in touch with friends through the tools they have on there. As long as people on facebook stay more discerning in who they accept as friends and don't use the approach on myspace where friend requests are more about creating awareness for your band, your interest or your business offer to get some response to what you are offering.
On myspace you can build loads of "friends" fast, but this is more about people you do not know with similar interests, but facebook is about being much more open and sharing your life and thoughts with real friends.
I think I may have made a mistake in requesting or accepting some friend requests from people at work that were not really friends but colleaugues and that ruins the facebook experience - as I don't want to share my photos, contacts, thoughts and other personal stuff with them.
There was a well publicised account of the UK based comedian Stephen Fry who has a profile on facebook and was bombarded with friend requests. He refused them unless they were true friends, but set up a group for people who were interested in him and his public activities. If he had been on myspace he would of and should have accepted friend requests as it is not about more intimate relationships.
I think both myspace and facebook are different and relevant and will both be huge...
What do you think?
1 comment:
It seems that these social networking sites have a short "burn" time for the very reason that you identify. It only takes one misjudged 'acceptance' to sour the whole experience.
After an embarassing "status" slip on Facebook that caused me trouble at work I reduced my interaction - deleting my user account 2 weeks ago was without doubt one of the most empowering Web 2.0 feelings!
I guess the broader question is how we as professional people use these technologies and create firewalls between "private" and "personal" spaces.... A twitter or pwnce feed for friends and LinkedIn for colleagues perhaps?
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