When Google+ was introduced to the world, it caused a lot of excitement. Tech blogs went into overdrive about the supposed Facebook killer. Over time there is a lot of debate on Google+ failing because it has not managed to really dent Facebook. There are many people who are not too happy about Facebook either.
So who will survive in the long run? Facebook or Google+? I believe the answer to it is neither and Twitter will outlast them all.
#1. Twitter is anonymous
Twitter does not expect users to use their full names and associate it with your account. This sort of anonymity simply does not exist on Facebook or Google+. Also Twitter does not expect users to have only one account. You can have multiple accounts and they can be about anything you want.
#2. Network of strangers
On Facebook we connect with our family, friends and even colleagues. That is pretty great but the fact is most Facebook contacts are a phone call away. Twitter is a different network where almost all the people we follow and more importantly consume information from are complete strangers.
#3. Breaking News
Twitter has consistently broken news from around the world a lot faster than traditional news media. This has made even the traditional new media scan Twitter and tap into it for local updates and opinions. I doubt any news channel or web service can compete with the ability of Twitter to make a 140 character update into a trending global story within minutes. Presently no other web service can compete on this point with Twitter.
#4. Twitter has more potential to make money than others
Even if Facebook is selling ads and making millions if not billions, there is always the problem of having relevancy to their ads. Facebook has all my personal data and can sell me personalized ads, but I am unlikely to click on a Facebook ad. The reason for this is because I am not on Facebook trying to check the latest trends but rather to connect with friends.
I might actually click on a sponsored tweet as I often check out latest trends on Twitter. The idea is simple, selling something to people who are looking for something is easier.
#5. Platform Vs Network
Facebook is a great place to connect with people but it expects you to play by their rules. They expect users to access Facebook on the website or through their official apps. Twitter is incredibly open and I won’t be surprised that a majority of Twitter users access it through 3rd party apps. Twitter seems less like a network and more like a platform. Platforms are not specific to a particular purpose and users have to define why and how to use these platforms.
A lot of tech experts might not give Twitter a great chance ahead of Facebook, but then nobody gave much of a chance for a web search engine called Google or a free email service called Hotmail.
What are your views on Twitter and it’s future on the internet? Do drop in your comments.
15 Comments
I am totally agree with Aditya . Twitter has become the first news source for anything in the world. Facebook for friends and Twitter for trends.
@Sajitha: Thanks for the comment. Facebook for Friends and Twitter for Trends – That’s a good one! 😀
I agree with all this, especially annonyity is a big plus. But I think they need to be more harsher in battling spam. There are too many spam accounts there.
Yes, Twitter will have to do something about spam very quickly. That said, spam is something all services including Facebook and Google+ are not dealing with very well. 🙁
mostly i will use twitter to communicate with my readers , friends and my favorite celebrities . really twitter god gift to geeks 🙂
Twitter will live forever, I’m sure – it’s the number one news resource for most of us.
We shall all see who outlasts who…..nothing is definite when it comes to the internet 🙂 Just like technology, it can be all the craze now then 5 or 10 years down the line it has outlived it’s time. Just think of CRT monitors and televisions 🙂 . Once the craze now the “haze”. Only time will tell with all these social networks.
I have to totally agree with what you are saying, but one thing is missing. Twitter is an outreach network, allowing the world to communicate without knowing of another persons existance – twitter will outlast almost all other networks
I agree with you. But as a blogger i am benefitted with facebook than twitter. Google is disappointing
I agree with the 5th point that “majority of Twitter users access it through 3rd party apps” and many of those 3rd party applications are not quite good. Great article Aditya.
I also agree with this claim @Aditya, Twitter gives third party apps the power to let people interact in a more easier way than any other social networking sites online. So, with that, the business keeps growing because there’s always an engagement everywhere on there platform. Thanks for such a wonderful post.
I am very much agree that social networking site like twitter and Facebook are great source to knowledge and to make money. Great article as always.
I agree with you,Facebook is better than twitter and g+.Iam benefitted from fb
Yup, Aditya kane, You’re right with these points.. But, in short facebook and g+ are full of networking, media, friends and APPS (entertainment).. but I think twitter is something that is professional.. a network to stay connected to acquaintances. thats it.. Well.. using Twitter is cool…