Comments on: 3 Reasons Twitter Is Not A Fad

By: silk

silk — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:28:50 +0000

Oops, I did read a most of the comments but didn’t make it down to Tom’s in which he basically made my points more eloquently.

By: silk

silk — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 00:26:39 +0000

I’m not sure if you mean the concept of microblogging or Twitter specifically, but “They Have Industry Recognition” and “There Is No Replacement” are not reasons microblogging will or won’t be a fad. Fads always have industry recognition and replacement possibilities have nothing to do with whether something lasts or not. As far as “The Mobile Web Is Here”, I’m not really sure that tells much about whether microblogging is a fad or not either.

By: Kristina Summers

Kristina Summers — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:37:01 +0000

When I first hear of Twitter, I admit that I did think it would be short lived, but through my own research and through my job in public affairs I have come to realize that Twitter is so much more than just a way to keep up with friends, family and business. I now use it to measure brand awareness, consumer satisfaction, needed improvements and so forth. It has become such a valuable tool and it continues tool and it continues to get better everyday. Anyone who thinks Twitter or any form of social media is a fad should definitely do their homework!

By: RichCurrie

RichCurrie — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:47:29 +0000

I do agree in part I think it will change as time goes by, in fact it must if it is to suvive. They do need to work on their interface. It’s pretty bad when a third part app is better than their own.

By: Chris Allison

Chris Allison — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:10:23 +0000

Tom,

I welcome your view and am always happy to read well thought out feedback. You make some good counter-points. We’ll just have to wait and see.

By: Tom

Tom — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:06:29 +0000

Sorry for an opposing view here and I am sure that the Twitter zealots will not be pleased, but I see Twitter’s popularity drastically fading in the next two years. Maybe even extinction. Sorry, that’s my crystal ball.

As for the three points from the original blog:

1) They Have Industry Recognition … Well, that has never eliminated anything from being a fad. In fact, sometimes it helps defines it as a fad. Widespread recognition via hype and a passionate following help fuel fads.

2) There Is No Replacement … The social media sites mentioned in this very point are in fact replacements. FaceBook status, as an example is an easy replacement. Is it a strict micro-blogging site? Of course not, but it has a micro-blogging component that is easy to use.

3) The Mobile Web Is Here … Quite true. And Twitter has no lock on that technology or medium. So the mobile world isn’t a fad, it is a real trend. But that doesn’t mean that Twitter won’t fall into a fad status.

If you consider that a fad is a practice, interest, or product that is followed for a time with exaggerated zeal. Twitter can easily fall into that category. Already over 20% of those who sign-up for Twitter never post a single tweet. And something like 75% of the tweets are done by only 5% of those who are on Twitter. Relatively small amount of zealots, with lots of buzz and offline media hype, attracting lots of folks that end up never understanding or using it.

Plus, even real Twitter fans are becoming disillusioned with tons of spam followers, performance problems, and lack of real sustainable value. Sounds like the makings of a potential fad. Time will tell. Like in about two years….

By: Sam

Sam — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:54:21 +0000

Who are you kidding? Twitter is more a fad than pez. If history proves anything, a quick ascent foreshadows an even quicker fall. Ride it while you can.

By: BLOGERCISE

BLOGERCISE — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 17:03:21 +0000

I think it is too early to tell myself. Sure, big businesses are jumping on it – but are they seeing a good ROI? Personally I’d rather go direct to a company’s website to catch up on the latest news rather than hope I catch one of hundreds of messages that spew past the screen.

More people are realising that Twitter is only useful if you actually follow people you want to follow. Many of us never went down the blanket follow route in the first place and those that are finally getting it are unfollowing everyone and just adding those they care about.

Handling the onslaught of spam is going to be critical too. All too many people are using it just for marketing and this is diluting the quality. If this continues I for one will be turned off. Too many people seem to be on Twitter for the sake of being there without really knowing why, or with the hope of trying to capitalise on it! When I do a search for a product most of them are just sales messages – this needs to be addressed.

I don’t think it is going to disappear, but I am yet to be convinced it will be a real rival to websites, rss and email. Seriously, why does any one look at twitter for train times and not the train company’s website? I don’t get it! On their site there is a fantastically designed app that’s only purpose is to communicate rail information to me. Or I could try and scrape the info off Twitter? Hmmm.

By: Ilija Brajkovic

Ilija Brajkovic — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:52:25 +0000

Definitely there is the future in micro blogging networks. Nobody can’t copy Twitter, but there is also some space niche micro blogging networks. For example, you can use http://www.shoutem.com and create your own micro blogging network. It won’t be large as Twitter, but it can be very useful for communication.

By: Chris Allison

Chris Allison — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:51:54 +0000

Billy,

I think foursquare will be successful for similar reasons (mobile), but one thing that distinguishes them is their talent for monetizing, which Twitter has yet to nail down.