Comments on: …Twitter Is The Next Google, But Better

By: Twitter: In need of a definition?

Twitter: In need of a definition? — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:41:34 +0000

[...] enlightenment; a publication; the new flickr; the future of news; an essential social media tool; the next google, but better; the new Facebook; the future; paying my rent; like sex; a coral reef; and a social [...]

By: Twitter the next Google? Not likely! at MasterMaq’s Blog

Twitter the next Google? Not likely! at MasterMaq’s Blog — Wed, 28 May 2008 22:27:58 +0000

[...] entries (…Aquaman Is The Lamest Superhero Of All Time). Today they posted an entry titled …Twitter Is The Next Google, But Better. I can’t tell if it’s funny or [...]

By: KiNGK

KiNGK — Fri, 09 May 2008 22:01:42 +0000

The thing is: if you put your search request into twitter, how many of your followers use google to find an answer?

By: Weave

Weave — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 22:11:21 +0000

Your main point, Mark/Sean, about Twitter crowdsourcing search, is valid, but only assuming two things: 1) your peeps will take the time to help you out, and 2) you’re looking for more of a qualitative opinion than raw data. Our networks can’t scale to the level of Google, of course, but you are correct that we trust friends more than commercial ventures.

Putting aside the complete overreactions to the Google vs. Twitter statement, let’s look at the standalone value of Twitter. Most Twitter bashers i’ve run into just haven’t spent enough time there to have it become valuable, nor do they seem to have much interest in giving it a shot. Just like any new meme, it takes an open mind and an investment of time to find out if something new is valuable. I remember similar comments from coworkers in 1994 about how internet email would “NEVER” supplant voicemail.

I get value out of Twitter daily, as I’m subscribed to some great thought leaders, and have a community of friends who provide interesting conversation. But if you subscribe to shit (”I’m having a sandwich - yum”), then your experience with the tool will be shit too. As with many tools, Twitter’s value comes with investing time and an open mind, and learning how to use it.

By: links for 2008-04-25 | mad dog in the fog

links for 2008-04-25 | mad dog in the fog — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:32:58 +0000

[...] Four (or Five!) Reasons Why » …Twitter Is The Next Google, But Better The comments are interesting. Half the commenters think Twitter is a joke. (tags: twitter) [...]

By: Geoffrey

Geoffrey — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:30:46 +0000

I have to agree that Twitter is rubbish, I certainly dont spend time on it now - when I used to it was mostly people complaining about their job, or complaining about other people, linking to their own silly websites or letting the world know they are going to the gym.

I have reservations about Google too but there I dont think Twitter will become anything like the giant Google is. Twitter is a social networking tool, Google represents so many things on the Internet and it constantly grows, the only market they havent tapped into it seems is Games!

(No im not affiliated with Google at all)

By: simon

simon — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 05:59:08 +0000

Is it just me? Or are others bothered by the depth of feeling among those expressing disagreement here? How do people manage to get so heated about this kind of thing? Geez if an idea as innocuous as this can get you fired up enough to write “Get a Life”, or accuse the author of stupidity or being out of his mind, then what’s that say about your own life? I don’t happen to agree with the original proposition either, but it could have sparked some enlightening discussion about the similarities and differences between Google and Twitter, not to mention the very nature of success and failure in our industry. But who’s going to add anything of value now, in this poisonous atmosphere?

By: Eric Gonzalez

Eric Gonzalez — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:36:24 +0000

I’m not sure comparing Google and Twitter is a fair comparison from either direction. However, it is fair to say that Twitter has created a ubiquitous trust network the likes of which people search engines have not. I receive trust requests on some people search engines all the time, but it’s rather meaningless to me. On the other hand, following someone on Twitter is done deliberately either to connect with someone you’re met, or with someone whose content you like to follow.

By: borderlinetheory.com » Twitter and Friend Sourcing: a Proposal

borderlinetheory.com » Twitter and Friend Sourcing: a Proposal — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 20:42:26 +0000

[...] recently read a post by Mark and Sean Evans over on their blog talking about Twitter. They touched on something that I’ve been hearing and thinking a bit [...]

By: Stop Twitter Spam

Stop Twitter Spam — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:34:14 +0000

Michael Hoskins said:
————-
Twitter doesn’t have that problem yet, as it’s still a relatively new technology. Give marketers an opening though, and they’ll somehow figure a way into it. They’re like vermin that way.

Once this happens, Twitter will slowly start to slant towards monetization, rather than fun, and countermeasures will be implemented, which will increase the service’s size and featureset, and so on in that fashion, until it is supplanted by the yet next “thing.”
————-
Actually if you look closely (go on tweetscan and search for “twitter spam”) you’ll see that people are already starting to game Twitter. Most of this is “New Follower” spam (BuyViagra is now following you!) but there are also reports of “track spam”. The time for Twitter and 3rd party developers to develop countermeasures is NOW or else this will get out of control.