Critical Analysis- The Facebook Effect (Part III)

So, I have finally completed the book, The Facebook Effect, by David Kirkpatrick, and I must say that it was, by far, my most favorite book of our technology and culture course. I loved learning about the creation of Facebook, and I think that because the book is about something so current and relevant, it is all the more interesting. Facebook has had a huge impact upon the whole world, whether one participates on Facebook or not. Many businesses have now chosen to promote their goods and services through Facebook pages rather than their own websites. If a person wants up to date information on a current product, he is better off creating a Facebook account so he can visit that company's Facebook page rather than their websites. Not to say that a company's website won't be up to date or give you the information that you desire, but their Facebook page allows the consumer to become more interactive. Many fan pages created by businesses encourage consumers to provide feedback and ideas for new products. Facebook has realized this and has found a way to profit by placing ads on Facebook that allow users to "like" or comment on something. Because of the success of these types of ads, Facebook decided to completely do away with banner advertisements. Facebook has also found a way to profit by using Facebook as a platform for other applications that are created by companies other than themselves. When people use the applications on Facebook, they are essentially agreeing to allow third party companies to use their information. Facebook also has the right to gather user information posted on people's pages to compute data statistics and demographics to sell to other companies. It is even said that Facebook has access to more information about people in the United States than the government does. Now, as much as I feel that this is a sort of invasion of privacy and a policy of surveillance, it is very smart in the interests of Facebook since more people visit Facebook than any other place on the web. Facebook gives Google a run for its money. Google places advertisements according to what people search and are already interested in, but Facebook runs advertisements that create new desires for products by showing that their friends are also interested in the product as well. With that being said, I feel that Facebook is here to stay for a while. It has touched the lives of many across the world and has continued to provide a standard of practicality for everyone who uses it. MySpace is no longer a threat to Facebook, especially now that it's shifted its focus on media entertainment, and Twitter is not meant to provide the types of services that Facebook does.