Yes, There Are Social Networks Besides Facebook


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Facebook isn’t the only social media network making news these days. There are plenty of similar sites in an ever more crowded field, all vying for users. From Microsoft’s brand new social media sites to latest developments at Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, LinkedIn and more. Do you have a specific site whose developments you are watching?

Enter Microsoft

Microsoft enters the social media fray. Perhaps the biggest, yet most under-publicized news is the quiet launch of Microsoft’s new “experimental” social media offering, So.cl (pronounced “social”). Blogger Sean Ludwig gives us the rundown on the new site, which also includes search and media sharing options and has an interface resembling that of Google+. Venture Beat

A look inside So.cl. Blogger Danny Sullivan takes us on a mini-tour of the Microsoft’s new community, with some details on sharing searches, holding video hangouts, plus tips on signing up and building your feed. The post offers a good overview of how to get started. Have you joined Microsoft’s new community yet? Marketing Land

Google+ Update

Google+ by the numbers. Forget about vague press reports referring to the poor engagement on Google’s social media community. Here is some data that may support the point. Despite what Google CEO Larry Page claims to be more than 100 million users, the average Google+ post has less than one +1, less than one reply, and less than one re-share. Also, 30% of users who make a public post never make a second.  RJMetrics

Google+ ads Flickr-like sharing. Google’s social media site has added a new feature that some think may be a saving grace in a platform that has otherwise been a disappointment in terms of its ability to compete with frontrunner Facebook. Google’s new Google+ for iPhone joins the video-chat feature, Hangouts, as a big hit. Venture Beat

What’s Up with Tumblr?

Tumblr enters monetization stage. As more developed platforms have already created a business model, popular social site Tumblr has only now moved from a focus on building the site and community itself to a search for advertisers and sponsors. Can this popular social platform also be profitable? Wall Street Journal

Tumblr ads start at $25,000. The blogging community said recently it will be charging a premium price for limited ad space on its site. This may be a bit high for some small or even medium sized businesses, even considering Tumblr’s growing audience. Would you go for Tumblr’s ad package? Business Insider

Other Sites to Watch

Q&A site Quora’s new $50 million funding round raises questions. How important is knowledge site Quora going to be in the social media space long term? Here blogger Om Malik reports on the latest funding the social media network has received from co-founder Adam D’Angelo and early Facebook financier Peter Thiel. Gigaom

LinkedIn goes mobile. The business networking site that now boasts over 161 million members has, up until now, offered no native Windows phone app. But all of that has changed. Blogger Robin Wauters introduces you to the social network’s recently released Windows Phone 7.5 application. Are you using it yet? What do you think? The Next Web

Flickr becomes more Pinterest-friendly. The photo sharing site has announced efforts working closely with Pintertest to make sure photos shared from Flickr users are properly attributed. The move may ease concerns by many that Pinterest creates difficult intellectual property issues, and will also enable Flickr users to spread their message over a whole new social network. Flickr Blog

New Kid on the Block

LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Google+ all in one. A new networking tool called Hachi combines elements of all of the above to help users connect online. The tool’s main feature? It follows the path of connections between you and other users. And here’s the best part…It searches through all your other social and professional networks to find you the smartest way to connect. TechCrunch


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5 Reactions
  1. I personally like Tumblr, Twitter and Quora. Google + isn’t that hot right now…

  2. Great post! I blog with Tumblr, I am still getting used to Google+ I use it to help increase SEO , I’m not really that familiar Quora…on my way to check it out…

  3. This is a great post, especially for those who only limit themselves to Facebook because they believe it is the only social media platform they can use in order to easily promote their business.

  4. I didn’t know about Quora nor Google+, but I will check them out.

  5. Facebook seems to be not allowing full coverage to come through, like the media only tells one side of the story to manipulate the readers thoughts.