Enough with the new social networks
Steve Safran September 30th, 2007
Mashable reports that iWon is about to add a social network to its site. This raises two points: 1. iWon is still around and 2. Mathematically, adding an iWon social network will officially mean that every frickin’ site now thinks it has to have one. This is getting silly. I now have more social networks than I have actual friends.
I have a MySpace page which was fun for dirty jokes among friends for a while, but I don’t update it anymore. I am on LinkedIn and the purpose of that, as near as I can tell, is so I can say “Why yes, I am on LinkedIn.” I am part of the exclusive club of the Pownce social network - its exclusivity belonging to anyone who wants an invite. I have narrowly - narrowly - avoided joining Facebook due, in large part, to my face. (I am amplifying this to note the comments that Facebook is now referring to itself as a “social utility.” I further amplify the amplification by saying “OK, whatever.”)
So I’m not a social network curmudgeon. There’s a value to these things (especially if you own one) and they are the backbone of Web 2.0. But enough already with them. If you’re not going to reinvent the social network, don’t add to the crowd. It’s as though clueless web execs heard that social networks were big, so they decided
“Hey, let’s buy one at Circuit City.”
Social tools on the other hand are extremely valuable, and every site can benefit. Local news sites should have sharing tools, mashup tools and other social interface mechanisms galore. You can’t add too many social tools. Let people embed your video on their damn blogs, for crying out loud. What are you waiting for? More video startups that kick our ass?
iWon, along with most other sites, would be better off partnering with existing social networks. Go where the people are - don’t make them come to you. Me and my friends are busy right now. We’re sharing pictures of Cobie Smulders, thank you very much, and we’re about as social as we’re gonna get.
11 Comments Add your own
1. Darrien | September 30th, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Facebook isn’t a social network… it’s a social utility.
2. Andy | September 30th, 2007 at 5:28 pm
Steve. I’m going to be launching a “social network utility” that should solve a lot of problems and change the face of my industry (RE). Next time we hang out we’ll have to chat? Hopefully, you will be coming to our Halloween Party!
3. Steve Safran | September 30th, 2007 at 5:39 pm
Bah. And I’m not a father, I’m a “Parental Utility.”
4. Cory | September 30th, 2007 at 6:43 pm
Facebook is different than MySpace and Linkedin and the rest.
It’s a social utility because it opened its gates to third-party developers who are now using Facebook as a social backbone instead of creating their own social networks. It’s fighting the social-network-bloat that Safran hates by making itself the center of the social universe. And it’s working. (News organizations should be jumping on this, I might add.)
Click on my name for Wired’s take on Facebook — Zuckerberg the next Gates? Jobs?
5. Steve Safran | September 30th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
I have a social headache. Listen to Cory - he knows what he’s talking about. Glad one of us does.
6. Brink | September 30th, 2007 at 7:12 pm
Wait a second. this is the site that champions the wonderfullness of people responding to every damn thing on the internet, and now you’re upset that there’s another place for people to interact on the web?
Nope, you can’t have it both ways.
7. Steve Safran | September 30th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
Yes I can.
8. Darrien | September 30th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
I agree Steve, i think your kids will see you as a tool.
ZING!
(you left yourself wide open for that)
9. Rick | September 30th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
I thinking about launching the first web 3.0 site, which aggregates social networks.
No, hold it, that’s a phone book.
10. tdc | October 1st, 2007 at 8:54 am
safran,
how about an anti-social network?
11. Steve Safran | October 1st, 2007 at 1:09 pm
@Rick: I know you’re joking but A. That’s brilliant and B. With the right B.S. in a business plan, it would get $5 million in funding, easy.
@tdc: check out isolatr (dot) com.
@Darrien: The pros let the easy ones go by.
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