Online Marketing Blog - Latest Comments in Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

kalingaraj — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:59:33 -0000

"Web 2.0 is the business revolution in the computer industry caused by the move to the Internet as platform, and an attempt to understand the rules for success on that new platform."
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A team of successful entrepreneurs credited for www.SelectWealthSystem.com, A new home-based-business marketing system that provides the strategic high ground for internet marketing. Pro Team Marketing uses an automated marketing system that is currently promoting a cutting-edge young company, entering the early growth stage, that targets the largest consumer base in the United States with their financial educational products. http://www.SelectWealthSyst...

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Lee Odden — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 17:45:52 -0000

Hi Anita, I think you're right about the audience taking this poll being skewed in a particular direction. Mostly search marketers and many early adopters.

With the large influx of Twitter users lately, I am wondering what the shelf life is there too.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Anita Campbell — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 14:43:10 -0000

Hi Lee, this is very interesting.

But one thought I had: maybe this reflects the early adopters, more so than the average person.

I still run into people all the time who are just hearing about and exploring Facebook for the first time. IN fact, I still run into people who have NOT heard of Facebook.

All these social media sites and applications have life cycles. Twitter is hot now, but who knows in 6 months or a year?

Anita

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Anthony — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:22:07 -0000

Hi Lee,
Thanks for asking. I'm doing great!
I visit often. This blog is extremely valuable to anyone interested in SEO and SEM.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Lee Odden — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:14:22 -0000

Hi Anthony, thanks for stopping by. Hope you are well.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Anthony — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 16:08:44 -0000

I don't totally buy into facebookisdoomed's statement that facebook "will eventually fall to wayside as a passing fad with millions of inactive profiles just like chatrooms until the only regular users of these sites will be newbies, teenies, perverts and fake profilers and people promoting things".
I do think that interest will decline but social networking sites are hear for a long time.
The key to these types of sites for both Search Engine Marketers and Affiliate Marketers (Like myself) is to get in when it's fairly new and go along for the ride.

Like anything else in our industry, there will be ups and downs and new technologies, concepts, etc. A lot of what we now do, will be irrelevent in the future but it's still important to capitalize on those things when they're hot.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

facebookisdoomed — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 15:14:08 -0000

Facebook is increasing its members, but the amount of time the members spend on the site is actually falling. Soon, all these social networking sites will eventually fall to wayside as a passing fad with millions of inactive profiles just like chatrooms until the only regular users of these sites will be newbies, teenies, perverts and fake profilers and people promoting things.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

spostareduro — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 08:51:53 -0000

I think that one of the most annoying parts of Facebook is the applications processes... You can't simply receive/give an animated gift, write on a wall, join a cause, etc., without going through some sort of time-consuming process.

On the plus side, there are many new faces/friends, groups of plenty, and gain to be tapped into there.

I am still debating it's benefits/lack thereof, as I am still new to it's environment. We'll see...

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

James — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:08:12 -0000

I initially signed up for Facebook from a marketer's perspective. It was the hottest new site and I wanted to make sure I understood the platform.

I was soon hooked from a personal perspective as I re-connected with a lot of old friends. However, after that initial re-connection period I've found myself using Facebook less and less. I don't use it as a primary communication method (Facebook email or wall posts) so there's not a whole lot of reasons to return, except to maintain contact with a few friends overseas.

I'm also becoming increasingly perturbed by people who spam post my wall with 'amusing' jokes and videos. Like Lee my Facebook messages are becoming less relevant/personal by the day. So my interest in Facebook is now back purely to a professional interest.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Vectorpedia(Rick) — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:28:28 -0000

Facebook continues to be the leader but since so many more social networks are coming on-line one feels overwhelmed on information. Like you I don't FB as much.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

wikkid weazle — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 13:38:26 -0000

Facebook, Myspace and similar eventually become passive "Look at my stuff" sites like Flickr and YouTube where you trawl through other people's likes, dislikes, lives and stuff, although I do accept that the special interest groups can be interesting. To keep people interested in the long run you need active engagement and relevant personal involvement. The special interest groups lose their focus once you get to the big life, death and literature issues. If you are bored with Facebook, have you had a look at Cinnaminta? It is a very new site (not much content yet) where you can actively request, or offer to provide, a performance or video of almost anything you want from almost anywhere around the world. If you like the idea then have a look at:

www.cinnaminta.com/en/bored...

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Nate Moller — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:03:17 -0000

I still use facebook some, but definitely not as much as I once did. Why? Not sure. Like the article said, I get way too many invites for non-sense stuff. It has helped me generate two new clients, but has all that time I've spent on it really paid off, I don't think so. I think facebook, like a lot of other social sites, has potential but not sure how much for actual conversion of "friends" to clients.

The tough thing for me is the SEO stuff - I haven't found it to really help me with brand management or link building.

@San Marcos not sure what your problem is :)

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

San Marcos — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 19:32:59 -0000

An online marketing blog polling its audience about the popularity of Facebook...? LOL there's a credible survey! LOL

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Adam — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:02:13 -0000

@Marketing Consultant: most of myspace looks horrific.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

nlewis — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 17:00:19 -0000

I have been a member of MySpace for about 2 years now. I only recently joined Facebook, but in my experience: 1) MySpace simply looks way cooler than Facebook. 2) Facebook doesn't seem to cater to as broad of a range of people as MySpace does. And, 3) MySpace seems to promote itself a lot more (and better) than Facebook. Just an observation. Thanks for the article!

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Anthony — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 14:26:41 -0000

I find myself using Facebook less these days. It's like any new site that gets a lot of buzz. It's sure to lose some steam after some time.

That being said, Facebook is still a great place for businesses to advertise, especially to a certain demographic of your choice.

Many businesses are using Facebook for sponsored ads and are receiving a revenue boost. Sponsored search is also much cheaper then Google, Yahoo and MSN.

As an example a colleague of mine operates a career site (A top performing merchant on CJ.com) and has had his afiliates market the program through facebook in the past few months.

According to my colleague, his site has received a huge revenue spike.

I do think Facebook will see a decline of users going forward but it will still be a major player as far as social network sites are concerned and good place for businesses to advertise.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Simon Dance — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:59:20 -0000

"now comes across as increasingly narcissistic" - here here...

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Andy Keith — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:39:08 -0000

I agree with the comments about "otherwise serious friends sending rubbish" and also about the superficiality and uselessness of much of the FB apps. Although it has widened its audience, its appeal remains primarily strong for a college-age demographic, with less utility for the rest of us. I get lots of invitations to join groups and causes, review movies, send drinks, trinkets, good karma, etc. to my friends, all of which seems rather pointless after a few go-rounds. Facebook was initially fun and interesting, but now comes across as increasingly narcissistic.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Daan Jansonius — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:37:06 -0000

Facebook has already taken steps to make their news feed more relevant and they are working on more steps to stop people from getting those annoying widget notifications.

Personally, I'm still a heavy facebook user. But I've never really used it as a business tool. I've studied in England for two years and am currently back in Holland, which makes Facebook a great tool to stay in touch.

I can see why Facebook can lose its appeal as a business tool with all the 'he spanked her'and 'tommy threw a duck at suzy' kinda like news items in the feed.

And I agree about the ridiculous amount of spam sent out on MySpace (and also that comparing it to facebook seems a bit silly)

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Simon Dance — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 11:06:06 -0000

I have to agree with Chad Board about the spam on Myspace - which is absurd! But Facebook is starting to get annoying with all of the application invites, messy pages and "other" notifications.

I much prefer slimmed down profiles... leave the fuss to the groups and events pages!

Still plenty of scope for Facebook in 2008 I feel..

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Chad Board — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 10:09:49 -0000

I don't know if Facebook is over. I know I'm about to cancel my MySpace page because I get get so much flippin spam. I get ridiculous stuff from my Facebook friend, but at least it's not the 5 requests a day to go to a porno site.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Lee Odden — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:50:28 -0000

Wow, thanks for the feedback everyone. Many great points and observations. I do think my experience cited above is somewhat unique to the SEM community. That community does seem to move from one social platform to another.

I would reiterate that our agency continues to perform Facebook based marketing as much as we ever have. That said, I do appreciate all the feedback.

Bastedt, I believe your vote option would be "What's Facebook?"

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Blastedt — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:33:05 -0000

Where's the "I don't use these kinds of sites and I don't give a shit anymore about them, stop stumbling this stuff" vote on the poll?

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

billy — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 22:20:54 -0000

Facebook is not necessarily losing its luster for the general internet public. It just so happens that there are more specialty social networks popping up more often where it fits into a particular niche. I find linkedin to be pretty good because of its professional networking aspect.

Re: Reader Poll: Is Facebook Losing it’s Luster?

Charlie Anzman — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:05:50 -0000

Lee - Answering your request. Still like Facebook for a variety of reasons. I also think it's overhyped and could find a competitor. It's all about the buzz. Right now, Twitter seems to be getting more than anybody...
Charlie