The biggest, most popular social network is rightfully confident in their product, but perhaps Facebook has gotten a little too confident. After all, arrogance has the reputation for blinding.
Does Facebook need to dip their toes in modest waters, or are they doing just fine? You decide. Here are six things Facebook is overestimating—and underestimating.
Overestimating: User Adaptability
Frequent interface changes make Facebook users mad, that’s no secret. Facebook perversely assumes that despite their users’ dissonance they’ll stay faithful to the platform—no matter what. With this mentality, a reliance on users’ threshold for change is pressed to the limits.
Facebook’s most recent changes pushed many users to the edge. Although the amount is unknown, threats and declarations to quit the platform are made aplenty each time Facebook implements its changes.
Overestimating: User Brand Loyalty
Facebook may have 800+ million active users, but that doesn’t mean they’re brand-loyal. Earlier this year Facebook collaborated with AT&T on a mobile phone, the HTC Status. The “Facebook phone” was expected to reel in purchases from Facebook lovers and addicts alike, but with sales so poor the phone faced discontinuation rumors early on.
Lesson learned: Facebook users are weak in brand loyalty. Just because a product is marketed as Facebook friendly, doesn’t mean it will sell. Wonder if there’s any hope for Buffy?
Overestimating: Young Developer Recruitment
No, Facebook. Not every young, brilliant mind wants to work for you. With aspirations of making their own dent on the universe, the appeal of working for a small start up over a powerhouse company like Facebook is becoming a popular decision among young developers.
Facebook is a massive company with thousands of employees. Young computer science students entering the workforce don’t want to be just another number; they want to make a difference. Hot new start ups are staying competitive on the recruitment front by selling company intimacy and impact possibility.
Overestimating: China
Will China ever release their ban on Facebook? It’s an exhausted topic.
Although it’s impossible to accurately say what Zuckerberg’s current thoughts on China are, it is fair to assume he wants his product to be accepted by all—especially by the country with the world’s largest population. It’s doubtful that Zuckerberg has given up his fight to win China’s approval, though he probably should. China has their own successful social networking sites so let’s not be too quick to believe Chinese citizens think they’re missing out.
Underestimating: Privacy
Give them an inch; they’ll go a mile. Five years ago I would have never been okay with the world seeing my personal information and photos, however, as the years have passed I’ve loosened up on my privacy settings. Likely, my story speaks to many.
For those who have yet to be properly acquainted to this new world of total transparency, of which Facebook is responsible, they’re still fighting the good war and seem to have won a small battle, as the FTC recently put Facebook in check. This just proves that privacy—or a right to privacy control—is non-negotiable for users and Facebook’s coaxing for more lax privacy settings will not work.
Underestimating: Google+
Google+, Google’s “little version of Facebook” is, according to reports from Bradley Horowitz (VP of Product a Google+), growing at an exceptional rate. With the recent release of their brand pages, G+ is helping Google drive a new service niche —one that directly competes with Facebook. So is this a legitimate reason for Facebook to keep on their toes? You be the judge.
Regardless of these oversights—and whether you agree with them or not—Facebook dominates despite their flaws. With their multitude of fiercely committed users, it begs the question: is there anything Facebook can’t get away with?
This post was originally published on AllFacebook.com
No comments yet.