The future of social networking lies not in general-purpose networks like Facebook and MySpace, and not in niche social networks that cater to very specific groups, but in common interests networks like Blip.fm and Goodreads. I really think this is where the growth will occur as people burn out on the more generic networks.
In case you're not familiar with Blip.fm and Goodreads, I'll briefly describe each one. Blip.fm is a social network that allows users to be DJs. Blip has an extensive, although not quite as complete as I'd like, library of songs in many genres. Once you sign up to be a Blip.fm DJ, you can then do a quick search for a song you like, preview it (which is a strange term to apply to audio), and then Blip it, which means that it will post to both Blip.fm's timeline, and optionally to Twitter. You can include a note, and a link to the song is automatically inserted.
Blip.fm mirrors many of the social networking functions found elsewhere, but adapts them to music sharing. Users may add favorite DJs, add songs to their playlists, send props (compliments to other DJs for particular songs), and share songs through a multitude of social networks.
I use Blip.fm as a streaming radio station. I connect my MacBook audio out to my home entertainment system, and listen to what is essentially a user-controlled radio station with no playlists, no format, and no commercials. Almost daily, I hear new artists that I like, and unlike the radio in my car, I can actually see the artist and title for every song on blip, and with a single click buy the MP3. (Unlike Pandora, Blip.fm doesn't limit the number of songs I can skip either.)
My other favorite common interest social network is Goodreads, a network where users share with a list of selected friends books they've read and are currently reading. Like Blip.fm does for music, Goodreads adapts social networking functionality to books and reading. Good reads users can write book reviews, make book recommendations, and even report how far along they are in a particular book.
So why do these represent the future of social networking? As the novelty of being able to share status updates wears off â€" in other words once people get over the thrill of knowing that their friend is microwaving a slice of pizza or needs a cup of coffee â€" they will need more to engage them online.
By combining the social features of social networking, with a broadly targeted common interest to stimulate discussion, these networks show us what a successful model looks like.
Tags: blip, blip.fm, books, future of social networking, goodreads, music
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