Twitter should strike while the iron is hot. I think they're either starting to peak or have already been there. When your grandmother is on Twitter you know its time to find something new :)
brian fanslau
· 3 months ago
Haha so true!
granny
· 3 months ago
Cheek! You could probably learn a thing or three from your granny.
Ryan Lalonde
· 3 months ago
Twitter should not sell, in my opinion. They are growing stronger every day and if they wait longer they can get a lot more money. Also if they sell a company it might not be as good as it can be.
Michael Hart
· 3 months ago
I'd like to see a major player, like Google, purchase Twitter. I must say that it'd be quite awesome to see how Google could innovate Twitter; not to mention, the downtime would be a thing of the past.
jyothiprakash
· 3 months ago
Personally, I would love for twitter not to sell. Although twitter is not growing as fast as FB has been these last few months, I think there is enormous potential in twitter. One of the areas in which twitter has an advantage over facebook is in how easy it is to communicate with celebrities; Given this fact, celebrities are likely to spend more time on (and endorse twitter more than FB). By celebrities I dont just mean authors, artists, actors etc., but also academics, industrialists, independent consultants (Like Seth Godin, Guy Kawasaki etc.). Also, busier people are more likely to use twitter more frequently than FB. So, in summary, it can only get better from here for twitter.
I hate facebook. I love twitter. I hope twitter stays just like it is.
Jeremy Toeman
· 3 months ago
Can they get much hotter in buzz/hype? Unlikely. Can they create a revenue model that's truly sustainable? Unlikely. Can they get an acquisition value that will make investors truly happy? Unlikely.
So they *should* sell, but probably can't/won't. The real question in my eyes is will they become a PointCast (sold at worst possible time, virtually no return for anyone involved) or a Broadcast.com (sold at peak of hype, made people a lot of money - despite no return for their acquirer)...
loud3r
· 3 months ago
I think Jeremy's comparisons are spot on. Twitter is VERY likely to become a Broadcast.com. In think it will be very difficult for any likely acquirer to realize tangible value.
brian fanslau
· 3 months ago
It looks like it is time for Twitter to... Make a choice. There truly is a great amount of potential in Twitter's future but the potential for Twitter and Google would truly be a great bond.
Think of tab new tab or 2 in Google where You can sear up to the minute Tweets, Bios, and the integration into Google's great Profile system to help bring continuity to online Profiles.
But there is that flip side where Facebook could become the next Twitter with focused friends and networks where the posts you make can be longer and searchable. This would again be a huge threat and neutralize Twitter In my opinion.
The only main difference right now between Facebook and Twitter is the fact that you can monitor and watch for keywords in real time and then become active transforming conversations and possibly doing product promotion and customer service online for your business.
So much Potential so little time to decide.
josephcourton
· 3 months ago
Twitter should have 2 min streaming so poeple could see each other for 2 min I think that will be the next big thing you can twitter me back Joe Your Daddy
Rob Bell
· 3 months ago
There's nothing that says a company solely exists to make financial profit... Besides they have backers who are in it for the long term and who have deep deep pockets.
Personally I think Twitter's current goals are about the markets it targets and the people it reaches, not the revenue it makes. Its' real-time nature has been a real kick up the arse for Google and Facebook, spurring both into frantic reaction with new apps and services.
Michael Hudak
· 3 months ago
Sell Sell Sell! I want nothing more than to marry my Facebook and Twitter streams into one cohesive unit. It makes so much sense! Split up the cool Billion and perform the marriage that seems made in heaven!
sandersdesign
· 3 months ago
If Google or similar was to purchase Twitter it could guarantee improved service delivery. At current Twitter seems unable to cope with growth and is plagued with issues.
Zack Batist
· 3 months ago
I think it is definitely time for Twitter to sell. It has reached its peak, or is about to, and with all the security issues that happen almost on a daily basis, it puts people at risk. With security technologies of bigger companies it can excel at a greater pace.
But I find that if Google or Facebook buy Twitter, the buyer would use Twitter's technologies to power a new feature of an already existing app. The result would be Twitter would keep on running but the technologies that power twitter would somehow be used in GMail, Facebook statuses, iTunes 9 (I hope), etc...
Corazon Rios
· 3 months ago
I don't think it's time for Twitter to sell, but that Facebook screencap allowing privacy settings per status update/link/etc., is that live for some people? It's not for me. That could seriously bode well in Facebook's favor.
jamie1984
· 3 months ago
Microsoft seems to like both Twitter and Facebook but i doubt Microsoft can buy Facebook out outright and call it something like Windows Live Facebook, add Windows Live Messenger, upgrade the Facebook messaging to use Windows Live Hotmail/ Admin Center, Facebook groups adopt some of Windows Live Groups integration.
NewsCorp could buy it and it improve Myspace *shock* Microsoft to improve the Windows Live Profile feed (although Friendfeed integration style likely is more them, along with Yahoo and AOL/ Bebo) Google - for Google Wave Apple - who knows what iTweet? Facebook - (that is if Zuckerberg likes driven to dominate like the founders of Microsoft (for dominance of Operating Systems) and Google (for dominance of search)
aussiewebgirl
· 3 months ago
Just like everything else - if they sell it, it will change. New owners always make changes to a product and Twitter would be no exception. It would be just horrific to start seeing Google's adwords all over the Twitter interface. And if it isn't broken, don't fix it. Here's a taste of what Google would probably do... http://twitpic.com/fe2qy
illet
· 3 months ago
Youtube did not change much. Just use an ad block, and you won't see ads. I have not seen an ad in months in different sites.
aussiewebgirl
· 3 months ago
My point was more the intrusion of other info and YouTube has an interface that looks like a pizza. Can you imagine Twitter with huge blocks everywhere - "What's New" "Featured Tweets" "Popular Tweets" "Tweets being read now" etc etc. As it is we can access this type of info for Twitter but not from the main interface - and that's what we love about Twitter. Its simplicity. Those who love it - do; those who don't - can go Facebook. :)
aussiewebgirl
· 3 months ago
In reply to Loud3r - you've really just confirmed what I said. Different strokes for different folks. I was talking about the appearance of YouTube vs the appearance of Twitter. I prefer simplicity without intrusion and others (such as yourself) don't mind the masses of content (I like to call them supreme pizzas). Granted Twitter (just a humble little cheese pizza) has it problems with downtime, follower counts suddenly reducing to 0, follow backs not working etc but show me a perfect app anywhere... Twitter has it's rightful place in the www and we need to acknowledge that.
loud3r
· 3 months ago
I have to disagree about YouTube. The UX team has continually improved YouTube post acquisition. It's a much more usable product now than when it was independent. Another key point has to be the economics. YouTube would have flamed out if it had stayed independent. The servers and bandwidth charges burn money.
Belinda
· 3 months ago
Maybe someone *should* buy Twitter, but definitely not Facebook, Yahoo, AOL or NewsCorp. I kind of like the idea of Apple or possible Google buying it, or maybe even Microsoft. But anyway, it doesn't look like it's going anywhere soon.
loud3r
· 3 months ago
Twitter should sell. I would even argue that the board and management team have a responsibility to sell. Twitter has built a compelling short-term success story. The perception of value is very high and whatever they have planned for revenue streams is VERY unlikely to live up to the hype. The value for the team and investors is much more likely to drop than climb.
The history of tech startups (and Wall Street stock bubbles) is that most folks are too greedy to get out when the market is rising. Once audience growth starts to slow Twitter's value will falter. Twitter has had a great run, but it's time to cash in.
Who else missed their window? - Digg
Who hit the peak? - YouTube
Which outcome is better for investors and employees?
Erik
· 3 months ago
Honestly, I see Twitter at their Zenith. I bet Facebook, just for example, has 100+ times more features, and that's why Facebook keeps the users that Twitter loses.
aussiewebgirl
· 3 months ago
Twitter may have a high percentage of losing users however I think that many people fail to see that there are different apps for different people. Twitter should not be compared to Facebook. They are different social media tools. I have a Facebook account but much prefer Twitter as it is simplistic and I don't want or need the extra features that Facebook offers. Twitter may be at its Zenith but those of us who like Twitter will keep using it and its Zenith will continue for a long time to come.
plasticmadness
· 3 months ago
Very well said, I couldn't agree more. Each social media tool has it's target public. Twitter has peculiarities, it's not for everyone. My father recently entered twitter and he's doing very well. For my mom, on contrary, twitter is a no. She's a social network person. Me? I cannot see the point of social bookmarking, for instance. Sometimes I remember to save things to my Del.icious account, but I rarely, if ever, check it. You know, to each his own... Truth be told, it's hard to know what Twitter is about until you try it. One can explain to you about twitter, but it's not the same as if you use it. Many sign up just to see what's this twitter up to. Others assume it's just like any other social relationship site, and once they realize it's not, they quit. That's why I suppose there will always be a high number of twitter quitters. As long as twitter keeps a stable growth rate, I don't see it having problems any time soon.
stinging
· 3 months ago
1 billion? seriously for 40 million people who spout crap all day. Twitter should have sold 6 months ago - the boat has sailed - its now just an PR echo chamber and some vain wannabe in silicon valley types. real time search maybe but it has no measurements no filtering its just waffle so its one step above digg in that its not 14-20 years olds spouting crap its 25-49 year olds spouting crap.
Robert Wagner
· 3 months ago
They should definitely hire a few innovative engineers. Their developement speed reminds me of the german network studivz.
hieplt
· 3 months ago
No no no. I like the Twitter that is like it now. Twitter should grow itself. I like a independent service with smart moves to be great itself But it depends on the Twitter leaders. Are they strong enough to go great themselves? If no, Google is a acceptable choice - like YouTube, I think so.
Hesham
· 3 months ago
They have their rights to make a few dollars!
Andrew MacDonald
· 3 months ago
Personally i dont think Twitter should sell right now. It has a lot of great prospects for the future, and it needs to explore revenue potential before they jump into a situation where they could loose money by selling the company right now.
don't sell. as long as they can make it profitable soon!
Ben Newton
· 3 months ago
The answer lies above. Until you move that Facebook Share button to the top and the re-tweet button down, twitter still has value.
Until Facebook opens up and allows you to follow non-friends' updates that you are interested in like twitter allows you to do, twitter has the upper hand. BUT, when Facebook does open up and allow real-time searching and allows you "follow" updates from non-friends that allow it, twitter will suddenly become the next myspace in Facebook's wake. When that day comes, and it will, if Twitter hasn't become part of something bigger ie. Google, they will forever regret it.
Twilightred
· 3 months ago
Yes, it's time to sell but only to a Google/Apple. Facebook acquisition would stifle their innovation, but Google/Apple would give them the protection they need to grow their unique platform.
I'd love to see a partnership formed between Google and Twitter. Not an outright purchase, but a limited holding company (sort of like what the New York Yankees had for a while with the New Jersey Devils and New Jersey Nets). Everyone is still independent, but you could count on your partner and use their infrastructure if you needed.
plasticmadness
· 3 months ago
*shameless passionate discourse on* I say no. I hate this pasteurization of the web. Where is it written 'everything on the internet is better that belongs to Google or Facebook'? Truth is everyone loves the safety of being backed up by Google money. True bravery and pioneerism are resistant to that. I say let Twitter be, strong and independent of other internet sharks. *shameless passionate discourse off*
maxrichardson
· 3 months ago
There's no way Twitter should sell now, it's still in its infancy. It's going to get very interesting when both Facebook and Twitter both have working payment methods and allow the transfer of money between their users and external sites.
IMO, Twitter should hold off for now and see what the future holds for them. They have the potential to be one of the big players in social networking and with Facebook's recent acquisition of FriendFeed, I don't think that Facebook should take over yet another social network. Because that would leave really only one major competitor: MySpace...and that's not saying much since MySpace is collapsing on itself.
The Google idea is a great one, but I'm still kind of skeptical...
Just hold on to Twitter! See where this can take you!
Saeed Khan
· 3 months ago
Should Twitter sell? What are they stupid? They are if they think they can create a business that is sustainable on their own, based on a simple messaging platform. Twitter is a feature. It's not a product. It's a useful feature, but still a feature. It's a 1 hit wonder, it's investors should realize that, and after Biz Stone's interview on Colbert (http://tr.im/wGPU), it pretty much sealed the deal that Twitter isn't about to generate revenue soon.
James
· 3 months ago
No way. Twitter owns Facebook,, it shouldn't worry about its wannabe counter-part.. and instead focus on continuing to update and upgrade its features. Facebook 'SUCKS' in comparison and even though I use both, there is no secret that I spend far more time on Twitter.
evidences
· 3 months ago
Poll is hard to say: depends on what are the goals of former founders. No secret about the fact they are limited in terms of development, facing FB+FFeed, Google and Yahoo/BIng, heavy weights and fast movers. But for me, the most essential thing is to think "next step" for user centrics aspects: microblogging was a freak wave, but it's now time to change twitter value purpose (sorry, no hope for "premium" expensive accounts nor going on making companies pay for using it). Twitter has to face to several things: - what next idea to make improvements in using, navigation, interface and services? - spam and ads: world has turned to microblog, to escape to IM, e-mail and so long spamming and disguised ads, while the trash wave is gonna invade them again... - probably resources, as any kill app next idea, will potentially cost a lots, for jump to real innovation, again
Anton
· 3 months ago
Thanky Blog Süperr
@gcrush
· 3 months ago
well, as far as I can see it is this,
twitter still allows other parties to post links to the adult network, and seems to be more open to adult content, facebook is a lot more opposing to this case, so regardless, the adult world always needs a voice, and I would say that we can all agree, that regardless of what level, the adult world has a large voice in this universe, so where will all the adult worlds go if it is quite easily to be deleted by facebook because of their policies, and if twitter can provide for everybody to be a participant, surely the adult world represents a large demographic. some of us truly need to interact on a daily basis as an adult, and not just as a robot....wether it be with our fans or with our idles......easily efficiently and effortlessly
for the record spam accounts about web cams and register to see my naughty pictures don't count, just as much as claiming to be an SEO and selling you aggressively without humanity doesn't count, keep it even in the debate about the adult world always :)
Brian_S
· 3 months ago
They should probably sell if someone is dumb enough to buy a company that has not made money, is not making money, and has no plan to make money. Respect to the Twitter founders if they can make a hell of a lot of money before everyone realises a business is not a business if it doesn't make money.
Paul Allen
· 3 months ago
In my opinion the team behind Twitter has done what they are good at (innovating and creating something new and saleable) but monitising Twitter is not what they are good at. They should sell now and go on to develop and innovate something new! Always stick to what you are good at, especially when big money is at stake!
panzgarcia
· 3 months ago
I would sell, take the money and enjoy my life even if twitter was my baby! You only get one life to live why spend it working hard on a social media platform if you don't need to?
Stephen Robinson
· 3 months ago
If it does sell it really could go badly.
BaronToler
· 3 months ago
Twitter has limited potential for real-time search. It would require advanced AI to parse all the txt spk and broken english that results from the 140 character limit. Context is a key value indicator in all search.
That is why Google kills everyone else...the search results are relevant.
Tweets simply do not provide enough information to derive relevant context.
For example...type "Twitter" into the useless real-time search engine Tweetfeel.com.... According to the results...50% of people on twitter hate it right now... however, if you look at the tweets that it returns, they are all simply based on the word "Twitter" being in the body of the tweet. Most posts are neutral towards the search term, and many are completely irrelevant. It gets even worse when you search for products...
Donald Williams
· 3 months ago
Twitter maybe just opening its "play book". I think a viable business model is in sight but the site has not reach critical mass nor has it been accepted by businesses as a viable advertising channels. http://donaldrwilliams.blogspot.com/2009/08/is-...
Theresa111
· 3 months ago
Twitter is much more engaging than Facebook, plus ... it isn't complicated in the least. Twitter would be wise to hold onto this baby for a good long while. I feel it in my gut!
All Comments
So, in summary, it can only get better from here for twitter.
~ http://jyothiprakash.wordpress.com
So they *should* sell, but probably can't/won't. The real question in my eyes is will they become a PointCast (sold at worst possible time, virtually no return for anyone involved) or a Broadcast.com (sold at peak of hype, made people a lot of money - despite no return for their acquirer)...
Think of tab new tab or 2 in Google where You can sear up to the minute Tweets, Bios, and the integration into Google's great Profile system to help bring continuity to online Profiles.
But there is that flip side where Facebook could become the next Twitter with focused friends and networks where the posts you make can be longer and searchable. This would again be a huge threat and neutralize Twitter In my opinion.
The only main difference right now between Facebook and Twitter is the fact that you can monitor and watch for keywords in real time and then become active transforming conversations and possibly doing product promotion and customer service online for your business.
So much Potential so little time to decide.
Personally I think Twitter's current goals are about the markets it targets and the people it reaches, not the revenue it makes. Its' real-time nature has been a real kick up the arse for Google and Facebook, spurring both into frantic reaction with new apps and services.
But I find that if Google or Facebook buy Twitter, the buyer would use Twitter's technologies to power a new feature of an already existing app. The result would be Twitter would keep on running but the technologies that power twitter would somehow be used in GMail, Facebook statuses, iTunes 9 (I hope), etc...
NewsCorp could buy it and it improve Myspace *shock*
Microsoft to improve the Windows Live Profile feed (although Friendfeed integration style likely is more them, along with Yahoo and AOL/ Bebo)
Google - for Google Wave
Apple - who knows what iTweet?
Facebook - (that is if Zuckerberg likes driven to dominate like the founders of Microsoft (for dominance of Operating Systems) and Google (for dominance of search)
The history of tech startups (and Wall Street stock bubbles) is that most folks are too greedy to get out when the market is rising. Once audience growth starts to slow Twitter's value will falter. Twitter has had a great run, but it's time to cash in.
Who else missed their window?
- Digg
Who hit the peak?
- YouTube
Which outcome is better for investors and employees?
Truth be told, it's hard to know what Twitter is about until you try it. One can explain to you about twitter, but it's not the same as if you use it. Many sign up just to see what's this twitter up to. Others assume it's just like any other social relationship site, and once they realize it's not, they quit. That's why I suppose there will always be a high number of twitter quitters. As long as twitter keeps a stable growth rate, I don't see it having problems any time soon.
But it depends on the Twitter leaders. Are they strong enough to go great themselves?
If no, Google is a acceptable choice - like YouTube, I think so.
Andy
http://www.cherylanncole.co.uk
Until Facebook opens up and allows you to follow non-friends' updates that you are interested in like twitter allows you to do, twitter has the upper hand. BUT, when Facebook does open up and allow real-time searching and allows you "follow" updates from non-friends that allow it, twitter will suddenly become the next myspace in Facebook's wake. When that day comes, and it will, if Twitter hasn't become part of something bigger ie. Google, they will forever regret it.
http://redfredjapan.blogspot.com/2009/08/tweet-...
I say no. I hate this pasteurization of the web. Where is it written 'everything on the internet is better that belongs to Google or Facebook'? Truth is everyone loves the safety of being backed up by Google money. True bravery and pioneerism are resistant to that. I say let Twitter be, strong and independent of other internet sharks.
*shameless passionate discourse off*
Max R
http://twitter.com/maxrichardson
http://facebook.com/maxrichardson
http://maxrichardson.com
http://tweetspinner.co.uk
The Google idea is a great one, but I'm still kind of skeptical...
Just hold on to Twitter! See where this can take you!
It's a useful feature, but still a feature. It's a 1 hit wonder, it's investors should realize that, and after Biz Stone's interview on Colbert (http://tr.im/wGPU), it pretty much sealed the deal that Twitter isn't about to generate revenue soon.
- what next idea to make improvements in using, navigation, interface and services?
- spam and ads: world has turned to microblog, to escape to IM, e-mail and so long spamming and disguised ads, while the trash wave is gonna invade them again...
- probably resources, as any kill app next idea, will potentially cost a lots, for jump to real innovation, again
twitter still allows other parties to post links to the adult network, and seems to be more open to adult content, facebook is a lot more opposing to this case, so regardless, the adult world always needs a voice, and I would say that we can all agree, that regardless of what level, the adult world has a large voice in this universe, so where will all the adult worlds go if it is quite easily to be deleted by facebook because of their policies, and if twitter can provide for everybody to be a participant, surely the adult world represents a large demographic. some of us truly need to interact on a daily basis as an adult, and not just as a robot....wether it be with our fans or with our idles......easily efficiently and effortlessly
for the record spam accounts about web cams and register to see my naughty pictures don't count, just as much as claiming to be an SEO and selling you aggressively without humanity doesn't count, keep it even in the debate about the adult world always :)
That is why Google kills everyone else...the search results are relevant.
Tweets simply do not provide enough information to derive relevant context.
For example...type "Twitter" into the useless real-time search engine Tweetfeel.com.... According to the results...50% of people on twitter hate it right now... however, if you look at the tweets that it returns, they are all simply based on the word "Twitter" being in the body of the tweet. Most posts are neutral towards the search term, and many are completely irrelevant. It gets even worse when you search for products...
http://donaldrwilliams.blogspot.com/2009/08/is-...