Comments on: What’s Wrong With Indian Social Networking Sites? http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/ Social Technologies + Social Change Thu, 18 Mar 2010 17:12:15 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Comscore Report on Social Networking Sites in India | Gauravonomics Blog http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-10095 Comscore Report on Social Networking Sites in India | Gauravonomics Blog Wed, 18 Feb 2009 18:25:40 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-10095 [...] networking websites gaining ground from Indian social networking websites to continue, because most Indian players in the space are mere me-too clones. As I said in my social media predictions for 2009, several Indian social networking websites will [...] [...] networking websites gaining ground from Indian social networking websites to continue, because most Indian players in the space are mere me-too clones. As I said in my social media predictions for 2009, several Indian social networking websites will [...]

]]> By: kaali1900 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-9753 kaali1900 Wed, 21 Jan 2009 10:11:08 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-9753 I reckon that Social Networking is already splintering from broad to narrow/ special interest groups. Over the next couple of years, you will see a lot more special interest communities gathering momentum. http://biigpiic.com/ is for example a network that is consolidating advertising, events, fashion, movies, music, broadcasting and publishing segments. I reckon that Social Networking is already splintering from broad to narrow/ special interest groups. Over the next couple of years, you will see a lot more special interest communities gathering momentum. http://biigpiic.com/ is for example a network that is consolidating advertising, events, fashion, movies, music, broadcasting and publishing segments.

]]> By: Top Seven Social Media Predictions for India for 2009 | Gauravonomics Blog http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-8338 Top Seven Social Media Predictions for India for 2009 | Gauravonomics Blog Sat, 20 Dec 2008 02:57:12 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-8338 [...] the social networking space in India became a two horse race with Orkut and Facebook and several Indian social networking websites, that were essentially Facebook or Orkut clones, lost significant traffic. We will see this trend [...] [...] the social networking space in India became a two horse race with Orkut and Facebook and several Indian social networking websites, that were essentially Facebook or Orkut clones, lost significant traffic. We will see this trend [...]

]]> By: Suresh mangaladurai http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-7785 Suresh mangaladurai Fri, 14 Nov 2008 03:01:54 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-7785 Social networking on the web is a Western concept and in a country where the majority of Indians are illiterate or semi-literate (Govt. statistics be damned) expecting the people to network on the web is pretty dumb. At the most social networking on the net can only be a niche market with only pseudo Indians taking part. Actual networking in India especially in rural India is not virtual and takes place in village squares under the pupil tree and in temples, fairs and other melas. As conscientious Indians who should not lose touch with our roots we should not try the top down approach of thrusting Western mores, values and contemporary life-styles on the Indian people. They are not ready for it and many of them whom I have interacted with consider that imposing our will on them is only adding to their problems as well as pressures and not in anyway alleviating them. Social networking on the web is a Western concept and in a country where the majority of Indians are illiterate or semi-literate (Govt. statistics be damned) expecting the people to network on the web is pretty dumb. At the most social networking on the net can only be a niche market with only pseudo Indians taking part. Actual networking in India especially in rural India is not virtual and takes place in village squares under the pupil tree and in temples, fairs and other melas. As conscientious Indians who should not lose touch with our roots we should not try the top down approach of thrusting Western mores, values and contemporary life-styles on the Indian people. They are not ready for it and many of them whom I have interacted with consider that imposing our will on them is only adding to their problems as well as pressures and not in anyway alleviating them.

]]> By: Suresh Mangaladurai http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-7784 Suresh Mangaladurai Fri, 14 Nov 2008 02:58:55 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-7784 Its a pity that you talk of lack of originality and cloning done by Indian social networking sites but you have yourself not been original in naming your blog and have merely imitated Swaminathan's Swaminomics which was started by the Times of India. Even suggesting that Indian social networking sites must be based on the Indian Guru Sishys parambara as found in your matrix reflects an ignorance of the Guru sishya tradition for a Guru carefully selects his Sishya and does not interact with all and sundry, especially the creepy kind of characters that prowl around in these sites. Its a pity that you talk of lack of originality and cloning done by Indian social networking sites but you have yourself not been original in naming your blog and have merely imitated Swaminathan's Swaminomics which was started by the Times of India. Even suggesting that Indian social networking sites must be based on the Indian Guru Sishys parambara as found in your matrix reflects an ignorance of the Guru sishya tradition for a Guru carefully selects his Sishya and does not interact with all and sundry, especially the creepy kind of characters that prowl around in these sites.

]]> By: The Social Web is Not Flat (Part 2): The Social Technographics Profile of Metro India | Gauravonomics Blog http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6949 The Social Web is Not Flat (Part 2): The Social Technographics Profile of Metro India | Gauravonomics Blog Tue, 03 Jun 2008 17:26:44 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6949 [...] putting the size of the user base for social networking sites in India at 16mn (I had recently estimated it at 10mn). Assuming a higher social networking usage percentage of 60%, the number of Joiners in [...] [...] putting the size of the user base for social networking sites in India at 16mn (I had recently estimated it at 10mn). Assuming a higher social networking usage percentage of 60%, the number of Joiners in [...]

]]> By: Aakriti http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6805 Aakriti Wed, 16 Apr 2008 10:14:33 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6805 I really dont think that matrimonial sites are anywhere close to networking right now... the purpose is classifieds on the net... and not building a network there... I really dont think that matrimonial sites are anywhere close to networking right now… the purpose is classifieds on the net… and not building a network there…

]]> By: Jesmi http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6770 Jesmi Wed, 09 Apr 2008 08:47:17 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6770 I think that Indian social networks can differentiate themselves along three different dimensions. These are the social dynamics, language and access. But these dimensions are help to the Indian society become stronger. I think that Indian social networks can differentiate themselves along three different dimensions. These are the social dynamics, language and access. But these dimensions are help to the Indian society become stronger.

]]> By: (Another) Gaurav http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6443 (Another) Gaurav Mon, 17 Mar 2008 19:11:55 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6443 Gaurav, I don't think I will categorize matrimonial sites as social networks. "you create a profile, you browse or search for other people with similar interests and you connect with them online or offline" This is true, but one looks for a particular type of user (generally opposite sex), which means the user base is divided into 2 segments. Although you can create a free profile with most of the sites (you can't do much with it though), but the site's aim is to funnel you into buying the *premium* membership. So, I think the revenue models are different than a regular SN. There is no community aspect in matrimonial sites, which is the main focus of a SN. The relationships are based on one-to-one than being a group. People visit Matrimony sites and Dating sites for a particular goal - get married or find a date. Once the goal is achieved, the user does not return back. Whereas SN are used for general communication and not to achieve a goal. A lot of relatives/friends use matrimonial sites on behalf of the 'user', which beats the whole purpose of user interacting with other users. Sorry for the long comment. I'll write another comment on my take on Indian focused SNs. Gaurav,

I don’t think I will categorize matrimonial sites as social networks.

“you create a profile, you browse or search for other people with similar interests and you connect with them online or offline”

This is true, but one looks for a particular type of user (generally opposite sex), which means the user base is divided into 2 segments.

Although you can create a free profile with most of the sites (you can’t do much with it though), but the site’s aim is to funnel you into buying the *premium* membership. So, I think the revenue models are different than a regular SN.

There is no community aspect in matrimonial sites, which is the main focus of a SN. The relationships are based on one-to-one than being a group.

People visit Matrimony sites and Dating sites for a particular goal – get married or find a date. Once the goal is achieved, the user does not return back. Whereas SN are used for general communication and not to achieve a goal.

A lot of relatives/friends use matrimonial sites on behalf of the ‘user’, which beats the whole purpose of user interacting with other users.

Sorry for the long comment. I’ll write another comment on my take on Indian focused SNs.

]]> By: Gaurav http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6434 Gaurav Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:22:37 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6434 @Eklavya: In fact, I haven't called BigAdda and Ibibo "Indian sites with a global appeal". I have classified them as clones of international social networks, in Quadrant 3 (global social dynamics and Indian user appeal). @Eklavya: In fact, I haven’t called BigAdda and Ibibo “Indian sites with a global appeal”. I have classified them as clones of international social networks, in Quadrant 3 (global social dynamics and Indian user appeal).

]]> By: Ekalavya http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6433 Ekalavya Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:17:45 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6433 U can't call bigadda and ibibo indian sites with a global appeal U can’t call bigadda and ibibo indian sites with a global appeal

]]> By: Three Dimensions of Differentiation for Indian Social Networking Sites | Gauravonomics Blog http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6356 Three Dimensions of Differentiation for Indian Social Networking Sites | Gauravonomics Blog Thu, 13 Mar 2008 14:37:53 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6356 [...] Gauravonomics Blog Gaurav Mishra’s Weblog on Marketing, Technology & Social Media < What’s Wrong With Indian Social Networking Sites? [...] [...] Gauravonomics Blog Gaurav Mishra’s Weblog on Marketing, Technology & Social Media < What’s Wrong With Indian Social Networking Sites? [...]

]]> By: Gaurav http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6348 Gaurav Thu, 13 Mar 2008 06:08:59 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6348 @Rajesh: Great insights in your <a href="http://www.blogworks.in/blog/blog_the_talk/blog_the_talk_edition_2_impact.php" rel="nofollow">BlogTheTalk 2 panel discussion on social networks in India</a> with <a href="http://webyantra.net/" rel="nofollow">Amit Ranjan</a>, <a href="http://www.venturewoods.org/" rel="nofollow">Alok Mittal</a> and <a href="http://yaari.com/ rel="nofollow">Prerna Gupta</a>. @Danesh: Yes, I agree, great marketing will get people to sign-up for a service, but only a unique content or sevice offering will get people to stay and re-visit on a regular basis. @Nitin: That may be true for twenty-something Indians like us living in a metro, because our social dynamics have more or less converged with the West. However, I'm talking about a bigger opportunity -- to tap into the older, non-metro, non-English-speaking, non-broadband, maybe non-Internet user -- that the present Indian social networking sites are missing out on. Indian social networks can differentiate themselves along three different dimensions -- social dynamics, language or access -- and I haven't seen much initiative along any of these. @Rajesh: Great insights in your BlogTheTalk 2 panel discussion on social networks in India with Amit Ranjan, Alok Mittal and http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6340 Also a lot of Indians just like to try out something that's tried and tested by millions of users across the world. Rather than try something new everytime and get confused. Nitin http://www.my2dimes.com/ Also a lot of Indians just like to try out something that’s tried and tested by millions of users across the world. Rather than try something new everytime and get confused.

Nitin
http://www.my2dimes.com/

]]> By: Danesh http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6337 Danesh Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:13:39 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6337 I have posted some similar thoughts on ibibo.com here - http://www.daneshzaki.com/post/24301579 I have posted some similar thoughts on ibibo.com here – http://www.daneshzaki.com/post/24301579

]]> By: Rajesh http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6335 Rajesh Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:37:55 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6335 http://www.blogworks.in/blog/blogs_social_media/reliance_entertainments_social.php http://www.blogworks.in/blog/blog_the_talk/blog_the_talk_edition_2_impact.php You might find some interesting perspectives on this subject on these 2 posts. Cheers. Rajesh http://www.blogworks.in/blog/blogs_social_media/reliance_entertainments_social.php

http://www.blogworks.in/blog/blog_the_talk/blog_the_talk_edition_2_impact.php

You might find some interesting perspectives on this subject on these 2 posts.

Cheers.

Rajesh

]]> By: Network Problem | DesiPundit http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6333 Network Problem | DesiPundit Wed, 12 Mar 2008 12:15:44 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6333 [...] Gaurav ventures a guess at what’s going wrong with the Indian networking scene. Most of the Indian social networking sites are basically India-focused Facebook/ MySpace/ Orkut/ [...] [...] Gaurav ventures a guess at what’s going wrong with the Indian networking scene. Most of the Indian social networking sites are basically India-focused Facebook/ MySpace/ Orkut/ [...]

]]> By: Garav on Indian Social Networking Sites | How to Make Your Users Happy http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6332 Garav on Indian Social Networking Sites | How to Make Your Users Happy Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:32:51 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6332 [...] has written an excellent post on the problem with Indian social networking sites. I agree with Gaurav as most of the Indian SNS ventures are just mimics of the successful [...] [...] has written an excellent post on the problem with Indian social networking sites. I agree with Gaurav as most of the Indian SNS ventures are just mimics of the successful [...]

]]> By: Gaurav http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6327 Gaurav Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:31:05 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6327 @Navin: Wow! You have raised some great points. You'll find that I often approach the social media/ social networking space form a "business opportunity" perspective. I'm myself saying that most urban twenty-something Internet users will prefer Facebook/ Orkut/ LinkedIn to their Indian clones. Maybe BabaJob & Sumitr aren't great quadrant 4 examples, but matrimonial websites are (see the update). I also agree that the big value in the future lies in the mobile web space: <blockquote>Mobile web users in India 38 mn. Internet users in India 22 mn. Mobile is going to be the growth engine for the web in India. <a href="http://twitter.com/Gauravonomics/statuses/767741883" rel="nofollow">tweet</a></blockquote> @Navin: Wow! You have raised some great points.

You’ll find that I often approach the social media/ social networking space form a “business opportunity” perspective. I’m myself saying that most urban twenty-something Internet users will prefer Facebook/ Orkut/ LinkedIn to their Indian clones.

Maybe BabaJob & Sumitr aren’t great quadrant 4 examples, but matrimonial websites are (see the update).

I also agree that the big value in the future lies in the mobile web space:

Mobile web users in India 38 mn. Internet users in India 22 mn. Mobile is going to be the growth engine for the web in India. tweet

]]> By: Gaurav http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/comment-page-1/#comment-6326 Gaurav Wed, 12 Mar 2008 08:06:13 +0000 http://www.gauravonomics.com/blog/whats-wrong-with-indian-social-networking-sites/#comment-6326 @Ideasmith Very valid point. Yes, matrimonial websites are also social networks, except that I’ll classify them in quadrant 4 (Indian social dynamics and Indian user appeal), which means that my case that Indian social networking sites need to reflect the unique nature of relationships in the Indian society just became stronger. @Ideasmith Very valid point. Yes, matrimonial websites are also social networks, except that I’ll classify them in quadrant 4 (Indian social dynamics and Indian user appeal), which means that my case that Indian social networking sites need to reflect the unique nature of relationships in the Indian society just became stronger.

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