All these changes are wonderful for intermediate users. But for the "light" Facebook user or beginner, it almost seems like they are being pushed to the wayside. Many may find this learning curve to be somewhat steep.
Facebook has really become the proverbial "snowball effect", having so many iterations that it's become a massive avalanche for some. Do you think that these changes may deter beginners and less "tech savvy" folks from using Facebook?
I think Facebook is being way too reactionary. It reminds me of Firefox browser a bit. I started to use it because it was a speedy and uncluttered alternative to the resource pig IE (version somewhere BC). But has become so bogged down in third party apps and "tune-ups" that it became unstable and slow.
I made the switch to Chrome and have been a happy camper since.
I think 80% of Facebook users don't know or care about the weekly changes to the platform. They keep we social media types on our toes and gives Social Media Examiner enough material to run annual 16 session Facebook webinars.
Instead of trying to become the new internet, maybe they should concentrate on what they do best - enable people to connect and share on line. And put a header on each page that states their philosophy: "the age of privacy is over".
Nice post, Dave. I haven't heard a positive comment about any of the changes on Facebook over the past few months. It seems to me, rather than surrendering themselves to what they have created...a network where people meet to catch up and play games, where mom and pop can upload/view pics of the grands, where people moan and groan about their life, etc...FB is trying to reinvent itself as a viable network for business, which it is for some small niches, and leave most of its users asking the question, "Why is this change good for me?" Personally, I have all but left FB out of any continuing strategy to grow my business. The metrics are continuing to tell us that Stumbleupon and other social networks are delivering, whereas FB is not. Who knows? Maybe FB will emerge from these changes a stronger social platform and serve users and businesses with equal vigilance, but I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteNice post Dave! I believe in Google+ and I think they are a part of tomorrow's social world. The question is how big?
ReplyDeleteI'm with Ray and James here: Facebook is trying too hard to be something for everyone and, in doing so, they're not very remarkable anymore.
From the beginning, Facebook catered to niches and small interest. This served the big brands and geeks well.. They've become a platform for friends and family, above all. FB should stick to their guns.
On the flip side, I think Google+ should not have released the gaming platform so soon.. But it seems Google+ is still doing a better job killing the noise.
We'll have to see how these changes improve FB. It'd be nice to sift through all the crap and get to the good stuff, the things I am actually looking for when I log on!I'm with Ray and James here: Facebook is trying too hard to be something for everyone and, in doing so, they're not very remarkable anymore.
From the beginning, Facebook catered to niches and small interest. This served the big brands and geeks well.. They've become a platform for friends and family, above all. FB should stick to their guns.
On the flip side, I think Google+ should not have released the gaming platform so soon.. But it seems Google+ is still doing a better job killing the noise.
We'll have to see how these changes improve FB. It'd be nice to sift through all the crap and get to the good stuff, the things I am actually looking for when I log on!I'm with Ray and James here: Facebook is trying too hard to be something for everyone and, in doing so, they're not very remarkable anymore.
From the beginning, Facebook catered to niches and small interest. This served the big brands and geeks well.. They've become a platform for friends and family, above all. FB should stick to their guns.
On the flip side, I think Google+ should not have released the gaming platform so soon.. But it seems Google+ is still doing a better job killing the noise.
We'll have to see how these changes improve FB. It'd be nice to sift through all the crap and get to the good stuff, the things I am actually looking for when I log on!I'm with Ray and James here: Facebook is trying too hard to be something for everyone and, in doing so, they're not very remarkable anymore.
From the beginning, Facebook catered to niches and small interest. This served the big brands and geeks well.. They've become a platform for friends and family, above all. FB should stick to their guns.
On the flip side, I think Google+ should not have released the gaming platform so soon.. But it seems Google+ is still doing a better job killing the noise.
We'll have to see how these changes improve FB. It'd be nice to sift through all the crap and get to the good stuff, the things I am actually looking for when I log on!
I definitely believe Facebook is working hard to reinvent itself. I read an excellent article on the reason Facebook finally introduced smart lists. In a nutshell, it's because they were afraid that the integrity of the friend graph has become watered down. ( http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/20/facebooks-smart-lists-real-friends-again/ ) It's so true. On Facebook, a friend was not really a "friend", but an acquaintance.
Honestly, I have still hope for Facebook. And I haven't fully jumped on the G+ bandwagon yet (although I definitely want to try there "Hangouts"), mainly because I knew in the back of my mind that Facebook was going to follow suit. I'll be interested to hear what else is revealed at tomorrows F8 conference.
Thank Mattias. I'm not sure they can get any bigger, can they? :P
ReplyDeleteThe past few days have definitely been reactionary. When I really think about it, it was very strategic as well. Facebook launched MAJOR changes right before Google+ announced that you don't need invites to join now. Coincidence? Somehow I doubt it. Steal Google+ 's thunder. Also, tomorrow is the F8 developers conference.
And the age of privacy is DEFINITELY kaput.... :P
I think Facebook is being way too reactionary. It reminds me of Firefox browser a bit. I started to use it because it was a speedy and uncluttered alternative to the resource pig IE (version somewhere BC). But has become so bogged down in third party apps and "tune-ups" that it became unstable and slow.
ReplyDeleteI made the switch to Chrome and have been a happy camper since.
I think 80% of Facebook users don't know or care about the weekly changes to the platform. They keep we social media types on our toes and gives Social Media Examiner enough material to run annual 16 session Facebook webinars.
Instead of trying to become the new internet, maybe they should concentrate on what they do best - enable people to connect and share on line. And put a header on each page that states their philosophy: "the age of privacy is over".
Nice post, Dave. I haven't heard a positive comment about any of the changes on Facebook over the past few months. It seems to me, rather than surrendering themselves to what they have created...a network where people meet to catch up and play games, where mom and pop can upload/view pics of the grands, where people moan and groan about their life, etc...FB is trying to reinvent itself as a viable network for business, which it is for some small niches, and leave most of its users asking the question, "Why is this change good for me?" Personally, I have all but left FB out of any continuing strategy to grow my business. The metrics are continuing to tell us that Stumbleupon and other social networks are delivering, whereas FB is not. Who knows? Maybe FB will emerge from these changes a stronger social platform and serve users and businesses with equal vigilance, but I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteNice post Dave! I believe in Google+ and I think they are a part of tomorrow's social world. The question is how big?
ReplyDeleteI'm with Ray and James here: Facebook is trying too hard to be something for everyone and, in doing so, they're not very remarkable anymore.
ReplyDeleteFrom the beginning, Facebook catered to niches and small interest. This served the big brands and geeks well.. They've become a platform for friends and family, above all. FB should stick to their guns.
On the flip side, I think Google+ should not have released the gaming platform so soon.. But it seems Google+ is still doing a better job killing the noise.
We'll have to see how these changes improve FB. It'd be nice to sift through all the crap and get to the good stuff, the things I am actually looking for when I log on!I'm with Ray and James here: Facebook is trying too hard to be something for everyone and, in doing so, they're not very remarkable anymore.
From the beginning, Facebook catered to niches and small interest. This served the big brands and geeks well.. They've become a platform for friends and family, above all. FB should stick to their guns.
On the flip side, I think Google+ should not have released the gaming platform so soon.. But it seems Google+ is still doing a better job killing the noise.
We'll have to see how these changes improve FB. It'd be nice to sift through all the crap and get to the good stuff, the things I am actually looking for when I log on!I'm with Ray and James here: Facebook is trying too hard to be something for everyone and, in doing so, they're not very remarkable anymore.
From the beginning, Facebook catered to niches and small interest. This served the big brands and geeks well.. They've become a platform for friends and family, above all. FB should stick to their guns.
On the flip side, I think Google+ should not have released the gaming platform so soon.. But it seems Google+ is still doing a better job killing the noise.
We'll have to see how these changes improve FB. It'd be nice to sift through all the crap and get to the good stuff, the things I am actually looking for when I log on!I'm with Ray and James here: Facebook is trying too hard to be something for everyone and, in doing so, they're not very remarkable anymore.
From the beginning, Facebook catered to niches and small interest. This served the big brands and geeks well.. They've become a platform for friends and family, above all. FB should stick to their guns.
On the flip side, I think Google+ should not have released the gaming platform so soon.. But it seems Google+ is still doing a better job killing the noise.
We'll have to see how these changes improve FB. It'd be nice to sift through all the crap and get to the good stuff, the things I am actually looking for when I log on!
I definitely believe Facebook is working hard to reinvent itself. I read an excellent article on the reason Facebook finally introduced smart lists. In a nutshell, it's because they were afraid that the integrity of the friend graph has become watered down. ( http://techcrunch.com/2011/09/20/facebooks-smart-lists-real-friends-again/ ) It's so true. On Facebook, a friend was not really a "friend", but an acquaintance.
ReplyDeleteHonestly, I have still hope for Facebook. And I haven't fully jumped on the G+ bandwagon yet (although I definitely want to try there "Hangouts"), mainly because I knew in the back of my mind that Facebook was going to follow suit. I'll be interested to hear what else is revealed at tomorrows F8 conference.
Thank Mattias. I'm not sure they can get any bigger, can they? :P
ReplyDeleteThe past few days have definitely been reactionary. When I really think about it, it was very strategic as well. Facebook launched MAJOR changes right before Google+ announced that you don't need invites to join now. Coincidence? Somehow I doubt it. Steal Google+ 's thunder. Also, tomorrow is the F8 developers conference.
ReplyDeleteAnd the age of privacy is DEFINITELY kaput.... :P