Power of social media platforms

Twitter/Trump/AW

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Trump was kicked out of Twitter. For the moment,  he has lost his massive megaphone to the masses (over 88m followers). He is also suspended from Facebook. 

Privately owned Tech companies have an incredible amount of power. I have no doubt Trump will find an alternative outlet.

Sift, though on a much smaller scale, also has a lot of power.  It can and does remove people from its site (in some cases justified). Make and are making editorial decisions that push its own agenda. It has moved from user say to now more and more editorial control eg - posts no longer ranked by the number of clicks, they are ranked by the editorial team.  Click rates hidden. 

Tech companies can do whatever they want. Due to early mover advantages, alternatives are just not viable or useful.   

 

Replies (13)

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By carnmores
09th Jan 2021 10:43

Same old rule, follow the money..

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Psycho
By Wilson Philips
09th Jan 2021 11:17

Is there a question in there somewhere?

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By mumpin
09th Jan 2021 13:18

Good point, well made FT.

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blue sheep
By NH
10th Jan 2021 07:10

and?

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paddle steamer
By DJKL
10th Jan 2021 14:23

Will Trump turns up on here as his site of last resort?

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Replying to DJKL:
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By carnmores
10th Jan 2021 14:51

Hahaha

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Replying to DJKL:
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By carnmores
10th Jan 2021 15:29

so that was what all the recent spammimg was about

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By bernard michael
11th Jan 2021 10:41

Social media is only successful if people use it.
"Followers "don't have to be. Why do people look at "influencers"
They must be idiots to comply with the social mores involved, which generally involve giving money away

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Replying to bernard michael:
Red Leader
By Red Leader
11th Jan 2021 11:40

I always check what influencers are saying before I buy new underwear.

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Replying to Red Leader:
A Putey FACA
By Arthur Putey
11th Jan 2021 16:54

Do you buy your ethical ones from Marc Skid?

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By carnmores
11th Jan 2021 11:58

One of my clients in PR world has been asked to make more use of influences. They now have agents etc who try and put ridiculous terms in their agreements. For me it's mainly a nonsense

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Stepurhan
By stepurhan
11th Jan 2021 12:23

To be blunt, that is the price you pay for "free" social media.

These companies only have power because users agree to give it to them in return for the benefits they receive. That is as true for smaller operators like Sift as it is for big operators like Facebook and Twitter. None are obliged to provide platforms to anybody. Free speech means that you cannot be stopped saying things others might find objectionable. It does not require anyone to make it easier for you to say those things to a larger audience.

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A Putey FACA
By Arthur Putey
11th Jan 2021 17:03

Does raise the question of why we use Aweb. Its not social media, most of us post under pseudonyms for a number of reasons mostly good, and the public access and structure means its less of a professional forum. Yep, its a free resource, but would there be more focus if it were a private group on LinkedIn? Which exists, someone is going to tell me.

Can't see the harm if The Donald, Nigel and Katie joined Aweb though, can you? And that nice Mr Robinson, wherever he is.

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