Facebook's challenge with web target advertising

Now that Facebook has the investment from Microsoft, they have to start thinking of an advertising strategy on how to serve advertisements to the 49 millon members (according to data from wikipedia) as of October 2007. I read that Facebook will develop its own ad serving system to target the right advertisements to the right people at real time. That is a huge task for Facebook. There are skeptics questioning if Facebook will be able to do it. Creating an ad serving system that targets the right audience at real time is something Google is best at. Facebook will be unveiling their advertising strategy next week. We'll wait to see what they have to say.

 

 

 

 

 

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OpenSocial is the most talked about open API for social networks

So much has been written about OpenSocial since Google made the announcement.  In one of the online article that I read, the author described OpenSocial as "Learn Once, Reach Across the Web".  I think this is a powerful strategy because you just have to learn the API once and deploy the applications you write to many sites across the internet.  Imagine how much time and resource you will save.  I read that a developer sandbox will be available soon ( http://sandbox.orkut.com) for developers to test the API.  Google's goal is to use the Orkut sandbox for developers to deploy their application, test that it works and ultimately deploy it to other OpenSocial sites.

OpenSocial is Google's latest developer platform which uses a common API to create applications for social network sites.  Since the announcement, Google has formed alliances with LinkedIn, MySpace, hi5, Salesforce.com and other companies.

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Google and MySpace alliance

Google has formed a new OpenSocial alliance with MySpace and together they are looking to take on Facebook.  It's reported that MySpace has twice the number of signed up members than Facebook.

OpenSocial is a open system API that will allow developers to create application for social-networking web sites.  Developers will use html and javascript in OpenSocial.

Others who have joined alliance with Google are Salesforce.com, LinkedIn, hi5.

 

 

 

 

Microsoft is aiming to become the new king of online advertising

It is reported in Google News today that Microsoft is paying Facebook premium to get at Google.  Google managed to buy YouTube and is in the process of buying DoubleClick and we know that Microsoft wants its share of the pie in the online advertising business.  Microsoft is trying to aim for a big piece of the pie because we all know that Google is currently the king of online advertising.

Microsoft acquires minority stake in Facebook

Microsoft had it up its sleeve on how to overcome the intense rivalry over online advertising with Google and Yahoo.  Microsoft went ahead with a deal with Facebook, the social-networking business and acquired a minority stake in Facebook.  Microsoft announced that it will pay $240 million for a 1.6% stake in Facebook, a 3-year old company based in Palo Alto.

Microsoft secured U.S. rights to sell banner ads and sponsered links on Facebook in August 2006.  This new deal between Microsoft and Facebook will expand the agreement, hopefully allowing Microsoft to thrive in the online advertising business.

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Orkut officially launch Orkut Media

The Orkut team sent me this email today, officially announcing the Orkut Media. I saw this new tab when I access Orkut a week ago and wondered what it is. Here is what it is all about... Dear Ashley, Today all of us here at orkut are pleased to announce the launch of orkut media, a weekly collection of writings and photos by our very own orkut members. When you land at http://media.orkut.com, you'll venture into the realm of love and politics and beyond. Here's a quick lay of this new land: the "Porch" offers a variety of columns ranging from the hot and humorous to the thoughtful and thought-provoking, along with galleries of riveting photos from around the world. The "Lounge" and "Studio" will contain archives of all the collected orkut media material (on the off-chance that you miss a week), along with tidbits about contributing writers and photographers. orkut media can be viewed by anyone surfing the Web. And it's open for you, the orkut member, to submit your own work. Got something to say? A perspective that you think needs to be heard? Go ahead and send us a column, write us a letter, or forward a photo. As always, you can make your thoughts known in a community forum and start a discussion. So tell us what you think, in whatever way suits you. We just hope you enjoy your experience at http://media.orkut.com. Stay beautiful, the orkut team

Social Networking Survey

Are you a member of any of the following social networks? I am a member of Orkut, Friendster and LinkedIn but I login to Orkut most often. How about you? If you wish to discuss, please leave a comment. Thanks. Orkut Friendster Tribe LinkedIn Ryze Others, Please specify

Gmail and Orkut invite

If you are someone who is looking for a Gmail or Orkut invite, look no further. Post a comment with your details (firstname, lastname and email address) and briefly tell me why you would like an invite. As Gmail invites are limited to only a few, be quick. ** LEAVE YOUR DETAILS IF YOU WANT AN ORKUT INVITE. I DO NOT HAVE ANYMORE GMAIL INVITES TO GIVE OUT FOR THE TIME BEING. **

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Orkut

Received an invitation to join Orkut yesterday. I am familiarising my way around Orkut. I have a Friendster account too but I kinda like Orkut more. For starters there are loads of communities to join. That makes it interesting. For those who do not know about Orkut, it is an online social networking community. Membership to join is by invitation only. It was created by a Google engineer by the name of Orkut Buyukkokten. Image of the Orkut home page after login. Numerous communities available.