Buzz with adsense ads

[m0thman]

Alright, I know you folks all use Facebook and I'm about the only person on the planet that doesn't! Was looking around Google Buzz today though and I spotted a load of adsense ads in some guy's posts. Was wondering if anyone knows anything about this.

Personally I don't think it looks good - at all... very spammy in fact. Also is it legal, or are there a few people just trying to pull a fast one here.

[Lame_Wolf]

Who said anything about convenience?

I did. I mentioned it right here:
I'm just asking--because all of these things (i.e. social networking, mobile phones, DVD movies, etc.) are about convenience.

Ah, you were on about it.
Then there should be two questions...

One who use them because they have a need. And the other one should be "for convenience"

I am the former.

[HuskyPup]

labeling folks who use Facebook is a very broad (and incorrect) label

I absolutely agree and likewise those of us who choose not to use it shouldn't be pigeon-holed as out of touch or missing out on a "convenience" we have deemed unnecessary in our lives.

For those who derive pleasure out it that's their choice however I have seen quite a few very big family bust-ups this past year or so when someone posted in haste without having all the facts. There's nothing new in that, I bet it still happens by text and e-mail, but when it's made openly public (if that's the selection they've made) it's surely time for some users to be taught, or learn, better.

I know we seem to have wandered a bit off-topic here however I have noticed with my own daughters, 26 and 22, that they very rarely use social networking sites at all these days whereas they used to be avid, and I mean all the time, users.

Why? The younger one has a baby and finds time scarce however the older one has a Blackberry Curve and seems to run her entire social life from that with her friends all communicating direct rather than through a third party.

Does this signal the death of social networking? Doubtful and not immediately but it does demonstrate that new stuff and applications are appearing all the time which could easily erode its current must-have status.

I've not bothered with any fancy mobile phone until now however I must admit that what my daughter does with her Blackberry is very impressive but I still can't do on that what I can my netbook.

Re-visit this subject in 5 years time and I'll guarantee what's happening now will look distinctly old-fashioned and definitely not "cool" :-)

[rajivatre]

Good one husky. Ok I am on facebook not a very active user though.
But recently our old college group (20 years before) we got together on facebook and then I started to visit facebook more than once a week or so. Also we forced our other friends who were not there on facebook to open an account so that we can remain in touch with them.
I think social networking habits are based on one's requirement and there is nothing wrong or right to be on social networking site or not.

About Buzz its interesting to know people are putting Adsense ads on that.
In my opinion Adsense revenue now a days is more about the action user takes after clicking. (Purchase or otherwise). So its really doubtful how much successful adsense would be in this way.
Some CPM based ads could work well may be here.
Just my 2 cents.

Rajiv

[Lame_Wolf]

Re-visit this subject in 5 years time and I'll guarantee what's happening now will look distinctly old-fashioned and definitely not "cool" :-)

In 5 years time, I still won't have a mobile, a laptop, notebook, or be a member of twitter, facebook, myspace, blog, etc. and still be a grumpy old fart ;)

[celgins]

Does this signal the death of social networking? Doubtful and not immediately but it does demonstrate that new stuff and applications are appearing all the time which could easily erode its current must-have status.

I agree, and when something more convenient comes along, folks like me (who use it for convenience) may or may not engage in what's new. As Lame_Wolf has pointed out, some who are sheep will engage simply because the masses are moving.

I actually don't like Facebook all that much and I only use it a few times a week. Those times arise when I wish to contact, or engage in dialogue, quick conversation, or view information that I believe would be too inconvenient without the social networking site.

But I don't think I've pigeon-holed those who don't use social networking sites. I simply mentioned some personal and business advantages of it--which only apply to my situation.

I'm still interested in finding out more about these ads on Google Buzz posts though. Something just seems out of whack with that. Facebook doesn't allow ads between, or within posts, so I'm not sure what the deal is with Buzz.

[Lame_Wolf]

I was just reading about Buzz. I nearly sprayed my monitor when I read... "Offering everyone who uses our products transparency and control is very important to us."

Maybe someone should mention that to the Adsense dept.

[m0thman]

Wow. I started this thread querying the Buzz/Adsense ads. I had no idea I'd started a Facebook discussion. Haven't received email notifications so assumed no one wanted to pick it up.

Agree with some of what's said. Back when I first tried it I kind of got the feeling that it was some sort of competition to see who could have the most "friends", and that term was a very loose one. What's the point of being friends with someone you vaguely remember working with 10 years ago? The guy was an idiot then and probably still is now. Same for those morons that bugged you in the school playground because you were smarter than they were. They're all on Facebook now because that's where half the world is. That's it... great big school playground in the sky!

Sorry, didn't mean to turn it into a FB rant, but there you go!

On the subject of which, I think women use it slightly differently to men. My other half spends a lot of time there, but she keeps in contact with old chums who live abroad. Mind you, even she can't be bothered with all those silly games now.

[coachm]

I suspect one of the reasons social media has attracted so many people is that many people in our societies are lonely and feel isolated, and trying to reach out to others, even strangers to feel like they belong.

Anything that "feels" like human contact, even if it's really machine to machine becomes popular fast.

[longlocks]

Hmmmm. I think there's a big misconception here about Facebook. Yes, it's a social networking site, but it's also a fabulous advertising tool with a HUGE audience. I have a personal page, but I never look at it. I also have a company page, which is entirely different from a personal page. You don't accumulate friends, you accumulate fans. There's no stream or chatter other than your wall, and you can control who can post there. I use it to let my 400+ Facebook fans know when I post new designs and articles on my site. You are provided with widgets you can put on your own site as well, which can include your wall posts if you like... essentially allowing you to make those updates (and your fan base) anywhere you want it viewable. Facebook is a phenomenal marketing tool with a great method of advertising a niche product to the friends of people already your fans, a very targeted audience. And by the way, though I've used both methods of advertising extremely rarely, my Facebook company page and ads have outperformed my AdWords ads BY FAR for a fraction of the price. I really think you are doing yourself a disservice by just blowing it off as a social networking site... it's a *networking* site in many forms, including a very effective form of business networking.