Top 5 failed social networking sites

                            Top 5 failed social networking sites

Sprouter

Despite gaining an enthusiastic following among entrepreneurs both in Canada and abroad, Sprouter had to close its doors Aug. 2. "We're devastated to have to shut down the service but unfortunately, due to capital constraints, we've simply run out of options," site founder and CEO Sarah Prevette wrote in a blog post. Sprouter first introduced itself to the global startup community as a Twitter-style messaging service for entrepreneurs. In March, Sprouter reworked its service to provide a question and answer-style service giving access to many business experts. 

 

MySpace

When News Corp. bought MySpace for a $580 million in 2005, it looked like it was on its way to the top of the Web. It even proved to be a sound business investment when Google signed a $900 million agreement to place ads on the site a year later. But with the rise of popularity of Facebook, the so-called "MySpace" generation suddenly had a new favourite online hangout. MySpace was sold to Specific Media for just $35 million, with pop star Justin Timberlake taking a claim in the business. That makes sense, as MySpace's remaining user base are mainly music fans and bands looking for free promotion.

 

iTunes' Ping

Steve jobs may want you to think that everything Apple launches is "magical" but it would take a real magician to turn that trick when it comes to Ping. The social network integrated into iTunes was announced Sept. 1, 2010 along with iTunes v10. Despite launching with 1 million members in 23 countries, the service ran into problems almost immediately. Jobs demonstrated Facebook integration with Ping, but that was removed before launch. Spammers also took advantage of the service with 24 hours of its launch, with malicious comments crammed into the pages of popular artists such as Lady Gaga. Apple may already be looking to move on, recently filing a patent for a social network based around the iPhone.

 

Friendster

Originally launched as one of the pioneer social networks in Morgan Hill, Calif. by Jonathan Abrams and Peter Chin in 2002, Friendster wanted to make it easier and safer to meet people online. It attracted 3 million users in the first several months. Though it at one time had more than 115 million registered users, its expansion in North America was derailed in 2009 by Facebook's popularity. Today, the Friendster.com domain is owned by MOL Global, self-described as one of Southeast Asia's largest Internet companies and owner of a payment service provider and Friendster. It's shifted Friendster's focus toward young Asians around the world as a social gaming and music platform.

Eons.com

Eons was originally launched as a social network for U.S. residents over the age of 50 by Monster.com founder Jeffrey Taylor in July 2006. Despite raising $32 million investment capital from the likes of Sequoia and General Catalyst Partners, the baby boomer-focused site never really gained traction. In September, 2007 Eons shed about half its staff members. Today, the domain limps on but is open to anyone over the age of 13. But it's unlikely teenagers would be drawn to the site's obituary feature and funeral home advertisements.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

By

 Yogendra Pratap Singh