Posted on by Frank - Follow me on Twitter

All over the web right now in the main headlines of social networks is Facebook and its recent acquisition of FriendFeed.  I notice mixed emotions here in regards to how people feel about it.  Some believe it’s Facebook trying to gain the edge over Twitter and some are bothered by the acquisition.  FriendFeed users feel that they no longer can have real time active conversations.  You know what my reaction is to all of this?  FriendFeed is Facebook.  At one time I thought FriendFeed was a combination of both Facebook and Twitter.  Now I see it more like Facebook’s platform.  Granted Facebook payed a lot of many to acquire FriendFeed, but is it affecting Twitter whatsoever?  Who’s really in panic mode here?

Ever since Twitter’s installment, users have been drawn to it due to the simple to use interface and the fact that all you are posting is an update.  Yes, Facebook and FriendFeed have updates, but they incorporate more into their social network.  Twitter is flat out simple.  I say it all the time and can’t stress that enough!  So while Facebook keeps altering its layout (it looks like Twitter) and making acquisitions…Twitter stands by basically unaffected.  Facebook may be earning more money due to their moves, but if you watch TV you will notice that Twitter is by far more mainstream than either Facebook or FriendFeed.

Twitter is used by many businesses and is the preferred way to communicate over the internet.  This is the exact reason why Facebook bought FriendFeed.  What’s really interesting is this battle didn’t pick up speed until the hype around Twitter rapidly increased.  I was one of those people back in December of 2008 that said I would never use Twitter and Facebook was good enough.  The moment I tried it, I was hooked and couldn’t find a social network that performed better!  Now that we are in 2009 and we are constantly seeing a battle between Facebook and Twitter…I see it as panic mode for Facebook.  Twitter does things in a subtle way like changing their layout for their homepage.  Did you hear any complaints about it?  I didn’t, that’s for sure.  However, I have heard plenty of Facebook users complain when they change their layout.

Facebook had their own unique style to them until they tried to compete against Twitter.  In my eyes Twitter never really seemed to be competing with Facebook (even though they are).  Twitter just runs things in a quite manner and doesn’t broadcast everything like Facebook does.  Since Facebook is always announcing changes and companies they buy, it seems like they are always trying to one up Twitter.  It comes off as a state of panic when they do this.  Yet, Twitter remains calm and keeps their users and constantly grows each day.  Facebook has a large user base too, they just try to hard which makes me believe they are worried that Twitter is going to take them over.

I don’t think either company will ever take over the other.  They both provide a different and unique experience and should just stick to that.  Be your own brand!  In my opinion, I don’t think there’s anything Facebook could do that would make Twitter panic.  If you were to ask me which social network I could use and I could only use one, it would be Twitter. I’ll give you 5 reasons why.

1.  I’ve met new people through Twitter and those relationships I have made are better than reconnecting with high school classmates on Facebook.

2. I now have two business partners thanks to Twitter and couldn’t do that on Facebook unless I spent countless hours searching their database.

3.  Twitter has many users that believe in reciprocity.  People will follow you if you follow them.  On Facebook, people only really add you if they know you.  That makes it difficult to meet new people.

4. Twitter is a news feed.  You don’t need to read the paper, just listen to what your followers have to say.

5. Twitter has less going on and is very basic that even someone new to social media wouldn’t feel overwhelmed by it.

So there you have it.  Facebook vs Twitter.  I still think Facebook is constantly in a panic, but I don’t think either social network is going anywhere.  They both have their purpose and provide solid experiences for users.  Which of these social networks is your favorite?  Do you think Twitter makes Facebook panic?  Do you think that Facebook buying FriendFeed was necessary?

Further reading:

Is FriendFeed A Blossoming Social Network?

Facebook Affecting Business Opportunities

Facebook CEO Joins Twitter

Top 10 Reasons To Follow Someone Who Follows You On Twitter

Facebook Connect Increases Participation

Posted in Facebook, Social Networks, Twitter | Comments (9)