Is Web 2.0 Really About The User?
The latest Guy Kawasaki (bonus points to anyone that can tell me a successful online venture backed by Guy) venture launched and it is called Truemors. In a nutshell anyone can post any type of information they want and it gets posted on the frontpage where people can award it points. Look at that again.
Anyone can post.
Any type of information.
And it gets posted on the frontpage.
Maybe in the Web 2.0 world there is this level of trust we give users where we believe they will do no harm and actually use our great ideas the way we intended them to. In no way can a system like this work without some sort of moderation or a strong community already in place. This is no different than providing a huge wall for people to paste their posters on top of one another without waiting in line. Why would anyone think an idea implemented this way would work?
This is the user bubble of Web 2.0 that needs to burst. This is where innovators need to step back and realize that as great as the users are to sites, you can’t trust them with the site right away. You can’t expect them to create a miracle for you simply because you give them some tools. In one way or another users are going to do what benefits them the most and it is just too easy to get benefit from posting your link on the homepage and leave it at that.
People began to think Slashdot was behind the curve because they added a level of moderation that Web 2.0 sites just don’t do now. There are actual editors monitoring the stories that get posted and yet the site is still going strong. Sure there aren’t as many new stories posted as you can find other places, but there certainly isn’t the level of trash being posted either. A system where anything goes is not really a system at all.
What is worse is that people are saying that the site has potential, which can only mean that any site you visit has potential. Instead of the old axiom:
- Create useful site with regulations and control.
- ???
- Profit
We have gone to:
- ???
- ???
- Sell to someone, maybe, hopefully.
When creating a site think of it like this. Users are greedy. They want to visit the site and get something out of it for them otherwise there is no reason to visit. They won’t do it to help you out, they want to do it to help themselves out. If you keep that in mind and figure out a way to make something quality then you are on the right path. If you fulfill their selfish ways then you have a chance of success, otherwise don’t even bother and in that sense, yes Web 2.0 is all about the user.
His people have in their portfolio:
Kaboodle - recently partnered with eBay to offer some service of some description. If you’re working with eBay, I think you can say you’re doing ok.
Simply Hired - there were rumours about a Google acquisition for them barely a week ago.
Pandora - Do I really need to explain that one?
There’s three right off the bat. I couldn’t be bothered to check out everything else in the portfolio.
Bonus points. Please?
Oh and I checked out Truemors. Biggest waste of time I’ve ever seen. I’m pretty sure Kawasaki was high when he decided it would be a good idea.
By Rich on May 16, 2007 6:50 am
Although controls are important to maintain a little order in the chaos that ensues when you give users control, it needs to be said that it’s not absolutely necessary to your projects success. Take the Web worlds beating post known as MySpace for example.
By Kyle Johnson on May 16, 2007 9:15 am
Overall you hit some major points with this article. I specifically like:
‘A system where anything goes is not really a system at all.’
So much has changed, it isn’t about quality content anymore - its about quantity (or how you can make money). Using myspace as an example only serves to support your argument in the article. Myspace is horrendous - in so many ways. I would never call that a ’system’ - it is an avenue for spamming, period. There is nothing quality about myspace, its about quantity. Its about the teeny boppers who join because their friends said so. Again, not quality.
By Nate Klaiber on May 16, 2007 11:00 am
What are you talking about? I’m seeing some great rumor’s on the front page, such as this gem:
And you can vote it up or down *without creating an account!* That’s the type of user generated content 2.0 that his advertisers will be psyched to back up.
By Scott N. on May 16, 2007 11:10 am
Lets take a step back, Guy might be a bit nuts with this one, but lets not say he isn’t following trends. Take for instance, Microblogging.
The ability to easily post anything you wan is definitely what is driving companies like Jaiku and twitter, and the ability to get it voted on is driving the entire social news space.
Whether or not a product is a complete waste of time is sometimes far less important than knowing whether or not a product will be used. Something you can take to the bank.
Steve
Howtosplitanatom.com
By Steve S on May 16, 2007 6:23 pm
Didn’t 9rules drink the Kawasaki Kool Aid not all that long ago?
By joe on May 18, 2007 10:47 am