Social Network Wars Explained

Social media networks want more users. Of course if you’re trying to grow your social network then it makes sense that you use your users’ existing connections .. So a lot of social networks tap into the data available via Twitter, Facebook and other services.

Of course by doing this they can upset each other .. end result you see social networks blocking access to each other. Sometimes it’s pretty petty, but it’s still fascinating to watch.

The guys over at Hootsuite used a Game of Thrones style analogy to visually represent what’s been going on:

GoT-social-infographic-final1

Via

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Twitter Sells Tweets

Image representing Twitter as depicted in Crun...

Image via CrunchBase

With most social networks the users are the product.

In the case of Twitter one of the problems the company has been struggling with is how to actually make money from it all ..

So selling their content ie. their users’ tweets appears to be one of the solutions.

According to an article on RWW Twitter has sold the data to Datasift and has other companies lined up to buy the same data.

So not only is Twitter claiming ownership of the content, but they’re also happily ignoring any privacy concerns users might have..

Expect privacy advocates to get very vocal on this.

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Guinness Try To Force Age Restrictions On Twitter

Guinness Ireland’s Twitter account is a bit odd.

They want to restrict their followers to people over the age of 18!

Guinness Ireland's Twitter account trying to impose age restrictions

Of course I’m not “following” their account, but I can still see all their content!

And here’s the screenshot to prove it:

Guinness Ireland's "over 18 only" twitter account

I think the word I’m looking for is “fail”

They’ve posted a “clarification” of what they’re “trying” to do:

You won’t be blocked as such.You’ll be removed from our followers & you’ll need to verify age before u can follow us again

 

Seemingly this is similar to the laughable “age restrictions” that alcohol companies put on their websites.

It’s kind of sad really that they’d even try to do this on a social media network. So you can add alcohol companies to the list of those that simply don’t “get” the web..

 

 

Social Is All About Permission

If you’re going to use “social” as part of your online strategy you need to remember a key concept.

Permission.

Earlier this morning I got an email “invite” from a contact to join a site that likes to see itself as being “social”.

I ignored the invite but the wording of the email really touched a nerve:

Skillpages unsubscribe email footer

Skillpages unsubscribe email footer

Why on earth would I “unsubscribe” from something I’d never subscribed to in the first place?

Who gave them permission to “subscribe” me in the first place?

It is possible that this is just bad wording on their part and that what they actually mean is that clicking on the link will “block” my email address from being used ..

Now why don’t they actually say that?

It’s also worth noting that Facebook’s notifications include equally misleading wording, so Skillpages aren’t alone in this.

 

Fine Gael Take Social Media To New Lows

I’ve no idea who is “managing” Fine Gael’s web “stuff” during the 2011 Irish general election, but you would really have to ask yourself what they were thinking.

Firstly we had the introduction of new word into the Irish political lexicon – twolicy. Yes – they managed to combine “twitter” and “policy” and came up with this wonderful new term.

What is the “twolicy” all about?

Basically they’re asking all their supporters to follow the Fine Gael candidates and to tweet about them.. They’ve even supplied hashtags and all! Aren’t they um … Oh never mind.

This image kind of sums it up:

Fine Gaels Twolicy image

Ireland 2.0?

Now they seem to have taken things to a new low with their Valentine’s ploy.

Fine Gael's Cringe Inducing Valentine's card

Fine Gael's Cringe Inducing Valentine's card

I’m not sure if they’re even taking themselves seriously at this stage.

Cringe.

Irish Teens Digital Lifestyles

I’ve always been fascinated by statistics and surveys, so the Mulley Communications survey on Irish teenagers’ digital habits makes for some interesting reading.

You can download a copy of the report directly from their site.

Here are some of the highlights:

* 14% have a part-time job
* 28% spend their money on socialising, 27% on phone credit
* Gig tickets and music is what teens buy most online
* Most teens use their parents credit card or laser to buy online
* Phone is the most treasured item of teens
* Teens are not downloading all their music for free
* Most music recommendations come via friends
* Nearly half of teens use the online TV players from media organisations with 40% streaming TV and over ⅓ watching via playback services
* 44% of teens are on Meteor
* Nokia are the most popular phones, the iPhone is the most desired
* 74% access the Internet on their mobiles per month
* Communicating with friends: 56% via text message, 38% via Facebook, Phone call 28%, Email 27%

If you want to find out about how they conducted the survey they’ve provided a lot of detail on their blog.

Be Careful Mixing Business With Pleasure

For a lot of people a business is known for its staff.

In the case of very small companies the staff are the company.

So if you are in business and you are using Twitter / Facebook bear that in mind. If your “personal” account is going to be associated, even indirectly, with your business account just take a moment to reflect before you post.

Reflecting does not equate with modifying or changing your personality. Personality is important.

It just means that you should think a bit before you tweet. Once you’ve posted it there is no going back.