If you spend a week away from your computer, chances are you’ve missed several new social networks that have sprouted up!
One perfect example is Pinterest. Even though the site was launched as a closed-beta in 2010, it didn’t become prevalent with mainstream America until 2012. It’s a pinboard-styled social network. A collection of individuals with common interests managing common themes. I’m guessing some of you are thinking, “Why the hell would anyone use it.” Fair assumption if you ask me. The site currently has a 81% female demographic, and caters to fashion, arts, crafts, jewelry, and other feminine products.
To register for Pinterest, you need to be invited by a current Pinterest user, or go directly to their website and ask to receive an invite. The registration process requires you to link your account to Facebook or Twitter.
PRIVACY ALERT: When you link your Pinterest account via Facebook, it automatically sends a Pinboard follow to every one of your friends using the service from Facebook. That might not seem like a big deal, but they never make you aware of that. Inappropriate use of an end-users Facebook account if you ask me!
Users curate themed image boards by populating them with rich media found online. You essentially “Pin up” an item, and share this with your follower base. The idea is simple enough, but will it survive the Web Bubble 2.0?
Be cognoscente of potential wide spread scammers and spammers. There’s already been an influx of scammers luring Pinners to fill out surveys with the promise of free goods. The same rules apply online as they do in real life. As a matter of fact, you might even say online and real life are the same thing! How profound!
I haven’t found the service to be useful in any way, but you can’t argue with their exponential rise to fame. Fastest website to break the 10 million unique visitor plateau! Not to mention that it’s backed by the Wizard of Silicon Valley — Ron Conway! He’s invested in small companies like Google, Paypal, Twitter, and etc…
Many people are scrummaging around, trying to find invitations. If you’re in need of an invite, please let me know.
It’s certainly no Google Plus or Twitter, but maybe they’ll make a believer out of me one day! As for now, it’s a gold mine for any company looking to market to women! *Hint* *Hint*
Hopefully, your “What is Pinterest” question has been somewhat answered in this post. It’s an ever evolving network, so I’m sure by next week it’ll have 20 more functions that need to be explained. That’s the fun part about social media. It’s never stagnant, and if you blink, you’ll be left behind!
Signing off,
Miran Maric
Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.
– Arthur C. Clarke