There is a social media network called Ello is receiving up to 31,000 requests to join per hour, according to its founder, Paul Budnitz. Budnitz originally designed the platform to be used for himself and about 90 other friends. On August 7th, the bike shop owner from Vermont, opened Ello to the public. The response has been incredible.
The relatively new social media network has been dubbed the 'Anti-Facebook' due to its lack of advertisement. Budnitz was "flattered" by the creative nickname but insists that Facebook is not one of Ello's competitors. "We don't consider Facebook to be a competitor. We see it as an ad platform and we are a network," he explained.
"The traditional model of a free-to-use network has historically been the key to success", said James McQuivey, an analyst at tech research firm Forrester. "Over all the other social media experiences from Whatsapp to Instagram to Pinterest - the reason they work is because they're free," he told the BBC. Budnitz plans to eventually make money by selling features. "Like the app store, we're going to sell features for a few dollars," he said. Whether this is going to solidify itself in the social media world, its yet to be known. Thus far one thing is certain, 'Anti-Facebook' is creating quite a stir in the social media realm.
Honestly, neither the ads on facebook nor being targeted by advertisers bothers me. However, it is good to see that Facebook has some competition in the world, since they really seemed to be shutting everyone else down in the social media market. I'm sure that the presence of a social media site with no ads will be well accepted.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting concept. Whether it will take off or not it's hard to say. I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of strategically positioning themselves as a network and not an ad platform. I think that draws those who are security conscious web users. They don't like their data being mined, sold, or shared. They desire something simple and non-intrusive unlike some other social media platforms.
ReplyDeleteBefore Facebook there was MySpace, which means at some point something will go ahead of Facebook and Facebook will become what MySpace is. People are getting tired of Facebook because of all of the adds and posts from people they hardly even know, so I can see a new network that is going to sell its app be the new social media that goes ahead of Facebook. When a network is selling their network it says to me they they are confident that people will like what they are using and be more satisfied than using Facebook.
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