While Facebook has recently registered a trend towards ‘unfriending’ or ‘defriending’ amongst a number of its members, another little-known software product is offering to do the exact opposite. It sets out to boost your social network numbers dramatically.
The commercially-available ‘friending’ software ‘Facebook Friend Adder’ is dedicated software that assists you to exponentially grow your ‘friend’ network with automated assistance. So much for “keeping it real.”
Writing in his new book ‘Cyburbia’ about online social networks, British commentator James Harkin picks up on this phenomenon and is critical of what he sees as “weak ties” being a “...recipe for a carnival of threadbare electronic friendship.”
Somehow you get the impression that consumers and end users of this software are more concerned with their marketing reach than meaningful relationships.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Automated Social Networking
- The rise of dedicated software like 'Facebook Friend Adder' highlights the trend of using automation to rapidly expand social network connections.
- Unfriending Culture
- The growing trend of 'unfriending' on Facebook reflects a shift in online relationships towards more meaningful connections.
- Critique of Weak Ties
- Author James Harkin's criticism of online social networks highlights the need for platforms to foster deeper connections rather than superficial friendships.
Where This Applies
- Social Media Marketing
- The trend towards automated social networking tools presents opportunities for companies to enhance their marketing reach on platforms like Facebook.
- Relationship Building
- The rise of 'unfriending' culture and criticism of weak ties prompts industries to develop innovative strategies for fostering deeper connections in the online world.
- Software Development
- The demand for software like 'Facebook Friend Adder' indicates an industry opportunity to create more sophisticated and ethical automated social networking solutions.
