Facebook is now by far the most popular social network in the world. It now plans to decentralise their site, breaking down the barriers that keep its users on the site. Facebook users may soon be able to show their interactions on other sites on their Facebook, with the introduction of a ‘like’ button that webmasters can place on their web pages.
But does this mean Facebook is ready to loosen the reins on its users, or is it just being plain greedy and trying to take over the web?
Twitter’s @anywhere platform shows a very similar path to decentralisation, and it was only a matter of time before Facebook followed suit. Whilst the ‘share’ button already in place allows users to post a link on their profile, the ‘like’ function will simplify the experience, for both user and Facebook.
Facebook will then be able to collate the data, keeping a record of all ‘likes’ by the user and use this to their marketing advantage. They can provide more personalised data to companies about a users’ preference and likes. Imagine a website that can show you a list of articles and posts that your friends have all said they ‘liked’, you’d be more likely to read and interact would you not?
It could even go so far as a review site showing reviews only from your friends for a product or service instead of strangers or on occasions made up reviews by crafty companies!
In theory this is a great idea, although I do feel there will be too many privacy concerns for this to become a reality.
What do you think? Is this a good move for Facebook? What will be their next move? Maybe a toolbar like Meebo….
This article is taken from the April edition of the Interaction newsletter. In one of the articles, Tahera Dudhwala wrote a piece about Facebook.
