Are the Social Networks Ready to Implode?

By BLOGBloke June 21st, 2008 | 134 Comments

Are the Social Networks Ready to Implode?

I was reading a post at Mashable:

So comScoret Are the Social Networks Ready to Implode? [CNETt Are the Social Networks Ready to Implode?] tells us Facebook surpassed MySpace in worldwide visitors for the first time. This shift evidently occurred sometime in the last few months, between March and May.

Yawn. Source

He also references GigiOm:

The fundamental nature (and utility) of social networks hasn’t really changed. The platform-ization of social networks has led to the rise of social apps that are best described as time wasters. You can be fascinated by vampire bites and what not but in the end, there is a finite amount of time you can waste.

This is my comment:

Yawn is right. I’ve been saying for years now the so-called social networks are time wasters and misdirecting everyone away from developing their real blogs.

I compare the SN phenomena to bar-hopping. Today’s popular hangout will be yesterday’s flavour of the month.

Sooner or later the barflies are going to wake from their delerium and regret all those years wasted and realize their privacy has been raped and come back to haunt them.

Sad but true.

Whatever happened to common sense? Are the Social Networks Ready to Implode? What do you think?


Filed under: Miscellaneous Blog Tips, New Media, Social Media , ,

Keep it Real with Blog Bloke Keep it Real with BLOGBloke, the Original Blog Tips and Social Media Guide. New readers can read more about me here. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have and if you enjoyed this article please subscribe below, share with friends or leave a comment. CHEERS!

Share the Knowledge: Share this article with friends..

 
These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • TwitThis
  • Facebook
  • GoogleBuzz
  • StumbleUpon
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • FriendFeed
  • Live
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Sphinn
  • LinkedIn
  • Technorati
  • Don't Miss another Blog Tip from BLOGBloke and Keep it Real..

    Subscribe here to the Better Tips Newsfeed!   

    Follow @BLOGBloke on Twitter for More Tips and News!

    Connect with BLOGBloke on Facebook

    What Next? Read More Tips From BLOGBloke:

            Got an Opinion? (Add Yours Now)

    Ok Blokesters it's your turn to tell me what you think, ask a question or suggest a blog tip. Don't forget the comments policy and I'm looking forward to reading what you have to say.

    There are 134 Comments so far to “Are the Social Networks Ready to Implode?”

    *Skip to the comments form
    1. With all respect, you’re absolutely wrong. While I agree that social networks that lack focus, strategy, or results will wind up on the chopping block… micro-networks are gathering steam.

      I’ve got 2 networks: Smaller Indiana and Navy Vets. Navy Vets is new, but it’s providing an important repository for Navy Veterans to document their history - through words, photos and video. It’s also a central place to find reunion events. Once it grows large enough, it will also be the best place on the net to reunite with old shipmates. The goal of Navy Vets is also to become a monetary provider to Veteran charities.

      Smaller Indiana has been a huge socio-economic community in Indiana for bringing together movers and shakers in the community. We’ve had huge volumes of commerce happening on the back-end of Smaller Indiana even some venture capitalism.

      I’ve also seen Cancer Support, Medical Research, Minority Business, Drug Addiction, and even Weight Loss networks. Tell the folks that are losing weight with online support or dying patients that they’re on a hangover with this technology - they’ll tell you that it may be one of the most important things connecting them to other humans.

      Facebook? MySpace? I agree… but social networking that has a purpose will not only NOT die, they will be growing and integrating through Social API’s.

      Sorry Bloke! You missed the mark on this one!

      Douglas Karr’s last blog post..links for 2008-06-21

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke on Jun 21st, 2008 at 6:12 pm replied...

      What you’re doing sounds great Doug but it’s different than what I’m talking about. I’m referring to the kids who are using social networks like local hangouts, neglecting their real blogs and giving away all their private information to a faceless corporation. I’m equally disgusted with the growing problem of sploggers putting the hustle on us.

      Believe me when I say I have nothing against social networking technology. It just depends on how it’s being used and what for.

      Down the road I foresee blogs integrating more social networking into it’s core feature set. That will be a good thing because at least bloggers will be in control of their own content.

      So no need to be sorry Doug and I wish your endeavours all success.

      [ Reply..]

      Douglas Karr on Jun 21st, 2008 at 6:24 pm replied...

      Thanks Bloke! They’re all ’social networks’, though. Even the hangouts may be important to a youngster’s development. We’re social beings and socializing is something we learn. Time spent bs’ing on a network like Facebook or MySpace may still play a role in one’s development.

      Perhaps participating in one of these networks will provide them the tools and relationships to succeed! I suppose time will tell.

      Douglas Karr’s last blog post..links for 2008-06-21

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke on Jun 21st, 2008 at 6:35 pm replied...

      We’re socializing as we speak aren’t we. I just want to keep the socializing on our own domain instead if making some corporation wealthy at our expense.

      P.s.: Will you be my friend? ;-)

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on June 21st, 2008 6:35 pm:

      Douglas Karr (@blogbloketips) reply on June 21st, 2008 6:24 pm:

      Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on June 21st, 2008 6:12 pm:

    2. I’ve found some awesome sites/blogs, met some awesome people networking, gained readers and subscribers and so forth…..no problems here with social networks ;)

      Like you said, it all in how you use them.

      Dennis Edell’s last blog post..7 Turbo Writing Tips

      [ Reply..]

    3. My interests are around mobile specific social networks.

      Some 47 mobile social network companies have emerged globally.

      http://mobileanalytics.com/forum/index.php?topic=42.0

      Cheers,
      Dean Collins
      www.Amethon.com

      [ Reply..]

    4. Social networks? What social network? I don’t use any and hardly log in to my Facebook account. For me, Blogs are the ultimate social network. What about you BB?

      Mushfiqur Rahman’s last blog post..Xbox 720 : Every Myth, Speculation, Rumor And The Truth That You Should Know

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke on Jun 23rd, 2008 at 11:39 am replied...

      I’m with you there Mushfiqur

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on June 23rd, 2008 11:39 am:

    5. One thing I like about this site is that I get free link love and also have the chance to be featured as the top commenter. Which means even more links and hopefully visitors! Thanks for keeping this blog “unique” and more “social friendly” than some *ahem* A listers *ahem* out there. :-)

      Mushfiqur Rahman’s last blog post..Xbox 720 : Every Myth, Speculation, Rumor And The Truth That You Should Know

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke on Jun 24th, 2008 at 9:22 am replied...

      Thanks for noticing Mushfiqur.

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on June 24th, 2008 9:22 am:

    6. The funny/sad thing is, I’d bet at least some of the “A’s” started out giving love away freely (whatever love was around at the time).

      Now that the B-Z Lister’s are all suckin’ their kneecaps (Wall Street - great movie), they no longer need nor want too.

      I know of one that actually SELLS do-follow comment links if you want one.

      Oy.

      Dennis Edell’s last blog post..12 Ways To Outsell Your Competition

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke on Jun 24th, 2008 at 7:40 pm replied...

      Here’s an example .. Guy Kawasaki only started blogging about a year ago. He begged his book fans to link to him just so he could catapult himself into the Technorati Top 100. He didn’t want to have to work his way up the ladder like the rest of us do. He also weaseled his way into speaking engagements so he could schmooze and suck up to the a-listers. Most a-listers have pulled strings similarly to get where they are today. Some people have no shame. Is it any wonder why I have no respect for them.

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on June 24th, 2008 7:40 pm:

    7. You make some good points, but I don’t think we can understand the meaning of social networks to the younger generation. I also feel they are fairly pointless and once you connect with a few old friends the luster fades. But for the newest generation of internet users they are a way of life, it is how they communicate with everyone they know and even how they make new “friends”. What is a waste to us, isn’t to them and I doubt that is going to change.

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke on Dec 10th, 2008 at 11:27 pm replied...

      True, so long as we can keep them from text messaging and driving at the same time. ;-)

      [ Reply..]

      Blog Bloke (@blogbloketips) reply on December 10th, 2008 11:27 pm:

    8. awesome site brotha http://bit.ly/1jshln

    9. @Gaia Herbs, some look like downtown Las Vegas in the evening. http://bit.ly/2ub7iQ

    10. @Gaia Herbs, some look like downtown Las Vegas in the evening. http://bit.ly/2ub7iQ

    11. @CFI, @hospitalera … my head was spinning when I wrote it ;-) http://bit.ly/1CQix9

    12. RT @BLOGBloke: 10 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Your Blog http://bit.ly/2TRLSx

    13. 10 Reasons Why I Don’t Like Your Blog http://bit.ly/2TRLSx

    14. @Humayon, if you are just a blogspot user then you don't need to bother with dns settings. But I still recommend ge… http://bit.ly/1fDYre

    15. @hari saryono, I wrote an article about why we should not play into terrorists hands by linking to these horrific v… http://bit.ly/2aTKBw

    16. @InternetMarketingMentor, here's another analogy for you. Your blog is your permanent home and social networks are … http://bit.ly/4hZtE

    17. Optimize Your Blog - Making Your Blog Search Engine Friendly http://bit.ly/4A9Go5

    18. @Mike, glad you liked it. If you're serious about blogging then Wordpress is the way to go. http://bit.ly/33GQUp

    19. via @BLOGBloke: Hi There! Thanks for following. Why not ask me a question or for more blog tips visit http://tinyurl.com/5zjajb. Cheers!

    20. @Michelle, you do not need a subdomain for it to work. A subdomain is also a bad idea for SEO. You need to go over … http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    21. @Justin Gill .. thanks for saying so Justin. It always feels great to hear from another happy customer. :-)

      Cheers! http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    22. blog hating at http://www.blogbloke.com/10-reasons-why-i-dont-like-your-blog was just pinged to 91 Services!

    23. @Kay, I never thought of it that way http://bit.ly/1CQix9

    24. @humglum http://www.blogbloke.com/moving-wordpress-blogger/ basically… no. doesnt look like it'll happen.

    25. @BLOGBloke,

      I decided to get rid of the Blogger redirect as the redirect via modification to .htaccess works, t… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    26. @Michelle, redirect speeds will depend on the blog host's servers and your internet connection. You only need to pa… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    27. @drugi, you mean "you can please some of the people all of the time and all of the people some of the time, but you… http://bit.ly/4CvJh7

    28. Finding Your Blog Voice http://bit.ly/5LD5kQ

    29. @zarazek, don't get your domains through Wordpress. Use GoDaddy or something similar. http://bit.ly/1fDYre

    30. Saw an advertisement for Moving Blogger to Wordpress Service. Why not save your money and read my free guide? http://bit.ly/6rFYFE They do

    31. hmm.. informative )) http://bit.ly/6krJX6

    32. I should notify my girlfriend about your post. http://bit.ly/6iqFfC

    33. hello everybody, how are you all doing.i am liking this web sight i might start staying on it more. me i stay sick … http://bit.ly/6krJX6

    34. @Cdathy Tibbles, I host images on my wordpress.com account. Let me know it goes. I always like to hear from happy c… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    35. @BLOGBloke, Yeh, I had a domain from a different comapny but Wordpress said I still had pay them to be able to link… http://bit.ly/1fDYre

    36. @zarazek, so if I understand you correctly your blog was being hosted by Wordpress and then they insisted on chargi… http://bit.ly/1fDYre

    37. I'm very happy with the refinements I made to the blog. What do you think? http://www.blogbloke.com/

    38. How to Produce Your Own Podcast http://ff.im/-dm32o

    39. "10 Reasons Why Twitter Is So Popular" ( http://bit.ly/8CM5gX )

    40. Updated my Blokester Buttons for 2010. Grab yours now .. http://www.blogbloke.com/introducing-new-blokester-buttons/

    41. How to Make Professional Podcast Videos for Your Blog (Vlog) http://bit.ly/7EHvN8

    42. RT @projournalist: How to Make Professional Podcast Videos for Your Blog (Vlog) http://bit.ly/7EHvN8

    43. RT @journtoolbox RT @projournalist: How to Make Professional Podcast Videos for Your Blog (Vlog) http://bit.ly/7EHvN8

    44. @BLOGBloke - really ok - am trying to pull off this from your blog http://bit.ly/5Zv5kW (thank you so much for documenting this - it rocks)

    45. @BLOGBloke - do you think I could use this service to redirect or park my domain like you mentioned in http://bit.ly/5Zv5kW

    46. Great tutorial on migrating your blog from #blogger to #wordpress. http://bit.ly/Nlr2k

    47. @FijiLomalagi my email is at the bottom of my blog http://www.blogbloke.com/

    48. @Kwame, you will have to play around with the Apache code .. http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    49. @Ankit_A see if this helps.. http://bit.ly/Nlr2k

    50. @drewmillikin My technical skills are limited, but I found this post to be very helpful: http://bit.ly/7LY764. My advice: pull the trigger.

    51. @Adam Johnson .. it was my pleasure and glad it worked for you .. http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    52. @gopmommy Your domain name redirection is done on your hosting service. Check this tutorial http://is.gd/8TXkI

    53. @stepfanieb Check #6. http://bit.ly/Nlr2k

    54. RT @BLOGBlokeTips How to Make Professional Podcast Videos for Your Blog (Vlog) http://bit.ly/2JgxLd

    55. @Wade, like I mentioned earlier in the article the odd link might get changed during the import process into Wordpr… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    56. @John Daniels, not sure if I understand your question. Can you be more specific? http://bit.ly/cjF9ac

    57. Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB

    58. RT @Twitter_Tips: Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB

    59. Should you use a "#TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB

    60. Twitter_Tips: Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB: Twitter_Tips: Should .. http://bit.ly/9ApqEG
      RT

    61. 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog: We should be leveraging Twitter to drive traffic over to our blogs – not the … http://bit.ly/dxYF2d

    62. RT @Twitter_Tips: Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB

    63. RT @Twitter_Tips: Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB

    64. 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog - We should be leveraging Twitter to drive traffic over to our blogs – not the … http://ow.ly/16Uu8y

    65. Twitter_Tips: Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB: Twitter_Tips: Should you us… http://bit.ly/95gYJT

    66. RT @Twitter_Tips: Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB

    67. Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB http://url4.eu/21u9n

    68. RT @Twitter_Tips: Should you use a "TwitterRoll" to promote your blog? http://j.mp/cO1yKB

    69. 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/bLbgz2

    70. RT @mparent77772: 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/bLbgz2

    71. 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/bLbgz2 (via @mparent77772)

    72. RT @mparent77772: 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/bLbgz2: RT @mparent77772: 8 Twitter Tips to Pr… http://bit.ly/dortmq

    73. RT @mparent77772
      8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/bLbgz2: RT @mparent77772
      8 Twitter Tips to Pr… http://bit.ly/diYc9B

    74. @Dorinda, I'm on pay & talk with auto top-up and on the phone with Telus (Philippines) as I write this. My daughter… http://bit.ly/1BH6lz

    75. @5andra > Moving-Migrating from Wordpress to Blogger: The Good, Bad, the Ugly, and How I Did It http://bit.ly/ayW6Af

    76. Snarky .. 15 Secret Tips for Building A Better Blog http://bit.ly/4ldWbD

    77. @clickryan @5andra .. here you go: Migrating-Redirecting Blogger to Wordpress: The Complete Guide! http://bit.ly/JDz43

    78. The Top 10 Commenting Sins of All Time! http://bit.ly/ddJnzC

    79. RT @BLOGBlokeTips: The Top 10 Commenting Sins of All Time! http://bit.ly/ddJnzC

    80. @Kristy@MyPetSavings.com, I'm assuming you are referring to the apache code above in which case yes, if you want yo… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    81. Calling all Blokesters: I changed the blog background .. please let me know what you think http://www.blogbloke.com/

    82. @BLOGBlokeTips Looks clean, sir. I need a comparison, though~ http://bit.ly/d4jZWu

    83. 10 motivos por los que twitter es tan popular…..
      Estais de acuerdo? http://www.blogbloke.com/twitter-popular/

    84. Beware of Geeks Bearing Online Gifts http://bit.ly/5iaUha

    85. @neha, yes I recommend GoDaddy so you can use this tutorial AND they're cheaper too. http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    86. @neha .. no, I would not recommend GoDaddy for hosting your blog. I would look elsewhere. I use http://hexahost.com… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    87. @BLOGBloke, great. I just emailed Hexahost to confirm that, but did they install Wordpress for you when you purchas… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    88. @BLOGBloke, ok i have taken a look around for a web host… and found 3 options, hexahost which you told me about, … http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    89. 10 Reasons Why Twitter Is So Popular
      http://www.blogbloke.com/twitter-popular/

    90. Have you tried Apture yet? Check it out on my blog http://www.blogbloke.com/ Scroll down and watch the top .. cool http://www.apture.com/

    91. @BlogBlokeTips My 1st comment in yr blog was back in '08 http://www.blogbloke.com/what-is-nofollow-and-why-your-blog-should-get-rid-of-it/

    92. Migrating-Moving from Blogger to Wordpress: The Good, Bad and the Ugly http://bit.ly/1wYXCq

    93. Migrating-Redirecting Blogger to Wordpress: The Complete Guide! http://bit.ly/1tGuFi

    94. Reading: "Migrating-Redirecting Blogger to Wordpress: The Complete Guide!"( http://twitthis.com/8jqauj )

    95. BLOGBloke just got a facelift. I decided to brighten things up a bit (yes I like blue). Let me know what you think http://www.blogbloke.com

    96. @Julie-Inspired to Write, hi there. Did you read this part?

      Note: If it doesn’t work, open up a wordpress.com … http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    97. 10 Reasons Why Twitter Is So Popular http://ff.im/-mBS4r

    98. @Kristina, I'm happy to hear it's working for you but I don't recommend deviating from the instructions in this pos… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    99. @p_money Check out: http://bit.ly/Nlr2k to redirect. As for the new blog there are a few things you can do easily to help with google.

    100. I Love my Pipe http://bit.ly/4mR7zo

    101. What is a Pro Blogger? Setting the Record Straight http://bit.ly/81mzqi

    102. Using the LinkWithin plugin is helping me rediscover posts I've forgotten. I wrote a lot of good stuff if I may say so http://bit.ly/9sIzm5

    103. What does Original Content and Plagiarism mean for Bloggers? http://bit.ly/3Yzmsr

    104. "Better TIPS by Blog Bloke (BLOGBloke)" - http://bit.ly/bgSL6G via @BLOGBlokeTips

    105. 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/c5MwAh

    106. The Importance of Linking: http://bit.ly/2AjVpp Link Long and Prosper!

    107. Mohammad Elsheimy, no big deal. Just go into Google Webmaster Tools and choose your “Preferred Domain”. With or… http://bit.ly/bbzsUk

    108. The Importance of Linking: Link Long and Prosper! http://www.blogbloke.com/on-importance-of-linking/

    109. @BLOGBloke, Yeah, I found it. Google Webmaster -> Site Configuration -> Settings -> Preferred Domain.

      T… http://bit.ly/bbzsUk

    110. How to Make Professional Podcast Videos for Your Blog (Vlog) http://bit.ly/c4Xz6k

    111. Make Money Blogging with Google Adsense http://bit.ly/dgzVTr

    112. @Jennifer, from what I've seen Matt Cutts of Google has done a little backtracking and sidestepping on the issue an… http://bit.ly/ciskW3

    113. RT @BLOGBlokeTips 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/cT7wyV

    114. RT @Twit_Expert @Punflaykids 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/cT7wyV:

    115. RT @Twit_Expert @Punflaykids 8 Twitter Tips to Promote Your Blog http://bit.ly/cT7wyV:: RT @Twit_Expert @Punflayki… http://bit.ly/aXs09N

    116. Keeping Social Media Real with Blog Bloke http://bit.ly/bJtpS6

    117. @jimmymycrushie, if you want a professional blog then Wordpress is the way to go. A personal blog is just fine on B… http://bit.ly/1fDYre

    118. @G.Taylor, just don't forget to give credit to the guy who started it all http://bit.ly/1BH6lz

    119. @Sanya - jimmymycrushie.blogspot.com, this also might help http://www.blogbloke.com/custom-domain-blogger-dns-seo-g… http://bit.ly/5Z3vbE

    120. Online Internet Security - How To Avoid Disaster and Recover if the Worst Should Happen http://bit.ly/c3oMoJ RT @BLOGBlokeTips

    121. Read BLOGBloke to find out why 99% of what THEY tell you is a complete waste of time. http://www.blogbloke.com/ Keep it real.

    BLOGBloke AvatarAdd A Comment .. your avatar (like mine on the right) will magically appear from your social profiles like Twitter or Gravatar. You can also add your comment to your Twitter or Facebook page by clicking on the cool buttons  Share

    Tweet This? Click Here 

    Subscribe to Better Blog Tips and the New Media Newsfeed Subscribe to comments for this post by RSS | TrackBack URL

    You can use these XHTML tags: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <code> <em> <i> <strike> <strong>

    Subscribe to Better Blog Tips and the New Media Newsfeed Thanks for dropping by and don't forget to Subscribe to the Better TIPS Newsfeed