My Facebook post last week announcing my growing annoyance with Facebook (“Why I Might Break Up With Facebook”) caused quite a reaction in the social media sphere, in this blog’s comment section, and via email. In fact, the title of this post was inspired by a comment I received from a blog reader Jenni, who wrote, “Yet another reason I despise Facebook—it’s becoming the Walmart of social media.”
I expected a reaction, but not the one I received. Much to my surprise, no one disagreed with me. Not one person stood in defense of Facebook’s latest promotion policy or of the numerous updates to the site.
Comments on this blog read something like this…
Chris wrote: “I really hope another social networking site comes along and kills Facebook. Its only asset right now is its vast user base.”
Rachel wrote: “I have sensed that the tide has been turning against Facebook for some time now. This action against small business owners is just a boot in the backside, furthering a mass exodus of those already unimpressed with the constant chaos that has been Facebook lately.”
According to The Nielsen Company’s recent report, global consumers on Facebook increased 82% during the month of December 2009 compared to the same month the year before. While studies show an increase in users and industry experts predict Facebook will continue to grow in popularity, the responses to my post and my own gut feeling have me wondering about these predictions.
Yes, it’s exciting to log in and see what everyone is up to, see what new posts my favorite bloggers have posted, and to share my own happenings.
But I wonder how long we can all keep up this level of voyeurism Facebook affords us. Will we ever get bored watching stupid videos of one another? When will we throw up our hands and stop caring about our friends’ updates? When will users get sick and tired of being inundated with companies inviting them to webinars or announcing the latest and greatest sale?
Don’t misinterpret this to mean that I’m anti-Facebook. And I don’t want you to confuse me with Andy Rooney.
I love Facebook. It’s a great way to connect with friends and colleagues and engage with prospects and clients. But the constant changes in policy and site updates have rubbed me the wrong way. And others, too.
Social media is owned by its users. It’s created by people—people like you and me. Our conversations, our opinions, and our likes and dislikes make it what it is. When things happen we don’t agree with, we should all speak up. For without our conversations, without our need to share information, without our need to connect with one another, Facebook would not be what it is today.
What are your thoughts? What do you think is the future of Facebook? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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