Noteworthy

A new social networking site is planning to launch (can’t say…

…the name) for the real estate space in a month or so… and early marketing material suggest that one of their big selling points is that they are going to start with tons of users because they’ve bought a list from another real estate site (presumably with tons of users).   This has me scratching my head on a number of levels.

Can you really start a social network with people who don’t know they’re in it?  Would you be upset if you went to a site and they already had an account set up and knew things about you?

I haven’t followed up with them to find out just what they mean when they say they’ve acquired X number of users, but I’m definitely curious.   It’s one thing if they simply bought an email list (spammy but common).  It’s another thing, if users get to the site and find a LinkedIn-style profile already built for them.

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15 responses

  1. Jay Thompson Avatar
    Jay Thompson

    “Would you be upset if you went to a site and they already had an account set up and knew things about you?”

    I don’t know if “upset” is the right word. But it does creep me out and just seems wrong on many levels.

    Anyone can easily find a great deal of info about me from existing public sites.

    But taking that info and placing me into a “social network”?? I don’t get it.

    If I found a profile-like thing somewhere that I didn’t put it, my first reaction would be to delete it and never return to that site.

    Doesn’t seem like a very prudent way to build a network…

    Reply
  2. Vicki Lloyd Avatar
    Vicki Lloyd

    There are probably a lot of vendors with a lot of real estate clients that they could link together and spin off into a social network. (ie. Advanced Access, Inman News, e-Neighborhoods, Point2, etc.)

    As far as going to a site and finding out that I was already a member, I don’t even think I would even notice. I sign up for lots of services and sites, don’t go back to them for several months (or years) then eventually click a link to look at them later.

    If I ended up in a network that I didn’t sign up for, I probably wouldn’t know the difference!

    Reply
  3. Loren Nason Avatar
    Loren Nason

    Sounds link a big waste of money for whomever bought the list and thinks its just going to magically happen.

    Next…

    Reply
  4. Dustin Avatar
    Dustin

    I’m with you Jay… It seems pretty obvious to me that social networks require a certain organic growth…

    Reply
  5. Dustin Avatar
    Dustin

    Vicki, I hear you that you might not notice, but I think enough people would that it could leave a bad taste in people’s mouths.

    Reply
  6. Loren’s Top 5 Speculations on Who is Creating the Next –

    […] Dustin over at 4realz says: ….early marketing material suggest that one of their big selling points is that they are going to start with tons of users because they’ve bought a list from another real estate site (presumably with tons of users).   This has me scratching my head on a number of levels. […]

    Reply
  7. Andrew Avatar
    Andrew

    this seems wrong on many levels. does the site that sold the info have no shame?

    Reply
  8. Jim Duncan Avatar
    Jim Duncan

    Part of a social network, in my opinion, is the expectation of a certain level of trust. To start off a new “social” network having violated that trust from the jump seems a bit counter-productive.

    Reply
  9. sarab Avatar
    sarab

    Put a real-world angle on this- If you “bought” a bunch of friends, wouldn’t they be less likely want to hang out and build a relationship than those whom you personally cultivated a friendship with?

    Maybe they will use the information for an easy one-click registration sent via a personal email invitation – verses just starting with the site pre-populated. If the site that is behind this is a big brand that you already know and trust, it could get legs?

    I agree with everyone here. But like Vicki, I probably wouldn’t notice. However, I am just not sure I have the time for yet another social network.

    Reply
  10. realestateyouropinion.com Avatar
    realestateyouropinion.com

    Social Networking and niche social networking must have users in order to function, but where is the “lightbulb” moment where you discover a place that is full of people like you. Social Networks that are successful are that way because people want to be there, not because their name and info was purchased. Thanks for bringing this up. We will be sure to keep our eyes out for its release and will cover it on realestateyouropinion.com

    Reply
  11. John Schaub Avatar
    John Schaub

    Isn’t this what spock.com does. If I understand correctly spock collects their info from crawling the web and community submissions. I’m not sure how they prevent someone from claiming someone else’s identity or insure the information is accurate.

    http://www.spock.com/do/profiles/index/Dustin-Luther%E2%80%94-Rdvla1Nj

    Reply
  12. Dustin Avatar
    Dustin

    John,

    Yeah… Spock takes the idea to a whole new level in that they appear to be crawling the web in order to create a profile for individuals. I haven’t signed up to “claim” my account because I never liked the idea behind the site.

    Reply
  13. Trace Avatar
    Trace

    Spill it! Who are they?

    Reply
  14. Dustin Avatar
    Dustin

    All in good time! 😉

    Reply
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