The Specialization of Social Bookmarking / Social Networking
The social phenomena of specialization is not a new - every human pursuit has a tendency to specialization it seems. It makes sense, really. Specialization allows for greater productivity, which is mutually beneficial for all those involved. It seems that social bookmarking and social networking sites are not to be left out in this tendency towards specialization.
Social bookmarking and social networking allow the user to interact with other users, and for the user to also contribute to the site. Over the past several years, generalized websites for these purposes have achieved great success. Now, specialized sites are popping up to “increase the productivity” of users. For example, the recent unveiling of , the social bookmarking site for internet marketers, has been very well-received by the online community. And today, I learn that there is now a . is being endorsed by some big names in music, and even in beta has garnered some attention. There are many examples I could site, but these are some better examples of social networking / bookmarking that truly endeavor to fill a niche market.
Benefits of the specialization of Web 2.0
- Users will not have to sift through as much information they do not want
- Those submitting the information will reach the people who are looking for it much quicker
- Tighter social community based on shared interests and abilities
- The principle of comparative advantage would dictate that in fact users of the various social sites would indeed benefit from information being “produced” in “different places” by those who were especially in a position to produce it
- From a marketing perspective - the more places to market the better
Drawbacks of the Specialization of Web 2.0
- Encourages a myopic view by reducing the diversity of information the user sees
Some suggestions for good social bookmarking and social networking sites:
- Social bookmarking site with news about social bookmarking
- Social networking site for cowboys :)
- Social networking where you can list dance parties
- Social bookmarking site for spammers - maybe if we give them their own site, they won’t bother with the others… ?
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Posted: September 20th, 2007.
Comments: 7
Comments
Comment from
Time: September 20, 2007, 2:25 am
I’ve also noticed this. When Sphinn first came out I checked it out (but I think I was busy with something else at the time and I forgot about it…)
That social bookmark sites are going to specialize is inevitable. When people finally get sick of wading through posts about Paris Hilton on Digg, they’re going to start looking elsewhere.
Now all I need is a “Best of Chase” social bookmarking site, drawing thousands of visitors a day, all discussing what the best of Chase is that day. Or I could keep using digg…
Comment from
Time: September 20, 2007, 8:40 am
LOL!!! I like the last suggestion. We could give them their own little sandbox to sit around in and sell each other things while they exchange links :)
Not trying to take anything away from the quality of the article. The image just made me laugh ;)
Comment from Danielle
Time: September 20, 2007, 7:12 pm
I would also like to add: A SOCIAL BOOKMARKING SITE FOR INFORMATION ABOUT CELEBRITIES. Then maybe Digg could regain some semblance of class.
Comment from
Time: September 21, 2007, 8:23 pm
I’d definitely like to see more specialization in the field of social bookmarking. There are so many benefits to it, and sites like Sphinn have certainly been able to exemplify that as of recent.
Great post Danielle. It’s been Stumbled! :)
Shine on,
Aaron
Comment from
Time: September 22, 2007, 1:04 am
Thanks Aaron! I think that the benefits highly outweigh the drawbacks… in the short term.
In the long term, I see them getting very specialized, and by that time social bookmarking will be 2 thumbs down. I dunno, to me social bookmarking is all about “mob mentality” and I don’t see it being able to sustain web users needs for much longer. There is so much concern about universal search in the search marketing industry, but I kind of like the trend towards the internet as a database of information. ;)
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