Just when the world of social networking seemed to be channelling towards Facebook and Twitter, the old guard have taken new steps toward regaining prominence. Swiped from under the noses of Facebook, MySpace are on the verge of purchasing iLike.
To most that probably doesn’t mean a great deal; however iLike is one of the most popular apps currently featured on Facebook. It allows users to share their favourite songs with friends and give an insight into their musical taste. MySpace is already very much the social networking site of choice for many music and video aficionados; by being able to provide exclusive access to iLike, they could well corner this market and subdue Facebook momentarily.
Evidently MySpace needs to do something to halt the continued slump in its market reach, and this certainly signals their intentions. By pinching an application from right under the noses of the dominant figure in the industry, MySpace are showing that they’re no pushovers. It’s a start, but will it be enough to peg back Facebook or even prevent being overtaken by the marauding Twitter?
Interesting move but doubt it will have a lasting effect on Facebook’s dominance of social networks. MySpace is dominated by bands and loyal followers – Facebook has a wider appeal and provides what Friends Reunited always wanted to be. I would be surprised if many left their Facebook profiles to pasture simply to use iLike on MySpace. I personally find MySpace irrelevant – none of my friends use it and I have no interest in making friends with random people. However, that is a reflection of my social scene and interests, not MySpace per se and I know several brands that have built an army of followers via their profile.
However, you can post links to your Facebook wall to show people your latest music interests, so is losing iLike really a blow? What % of the total Facebook population uses iLike? I am a big music fan and share my discoveries with my friends regularly via wall updates, including links to YouTube videos and other music sites. I have never used iLike, even when it was available on Facebook.
Facebook (in my opinion) has a better user interface for individuals and groups/business and I think that is key. Bolting on an application does not change that.
thanks
james
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