Do Twitter users still follow others based solely on Follow Friday recommendations? I’m guessing not so much. As far as I’m concerned, the concept of Follow Friday as a meaningful way to connect with folks has been on life support for some time. But, it’s looking increasingly at risk of passing on to the netherworld, especially with the advent of Twitter’s Lists feature which offers a more efficient and lasting way to encourge others to follow groups of people.
For those unfamiliar with the practice, Follow Friday is a ritual among Twitter users of recommending people you think others should follow. After a string of names, people include the tag “#FollowFriday” or “#FF” to make the recommendations searchable. While the practice has its roots in goodwill and community, it’s quickly becoming impersonal.
Don’t get me wrong. I am flattered every time someone includes me in a Follow Friday shout out. But the practice has become so ubiquitous and–ironically–impersonal that it has ceased to have any meaning. Rather, it has become an endless stream of names and handles that are about as engaging as the credits at the end of a movie.
Perhaps the key to keeping the practice alive–if in deed it’s worth saving after all–lies in quality rather than quantity. I think Follow Friday would be much more effective if each Twitter user recommended only one person at week’s end, rather than half a dozen or more. I would also suggest including a brief bio or reason why others should pay attention to this individual.
Otherwise, I think that Follow Friday is bound to die a slow, meaningless death.
What do you think? Am I totally off base?
Photo Credit: Mike912Mueller
{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
I actually never really got it, unless there was a reason why the person was recommended or all of the follows were categorized somehow (i.e. a Follow Friday about Free Stuff to Do in LA or something like that). Otherwise it really just seems spammy.
BTW – loving the blog Kevin!
Sounds like the classic case of information overload. Reminds of some other things I’ve heard about twitter recently. More specifically, the vast majority of tweets are pointless babble (which is probably true), and using Twitter can make you “dumber” while Facebook makes you smarter (http://news.cnet.com/8301-17852_3-10346125-71.html)
Caroline -
Glad you like the blog! Agreed. Without anything to put the Follow Friday list in context or make it personal, which is ostensibly what this practice is all about, it does seem pretty “spammy.”
Thanks!
Alex -
Wow! That’s an interesting article. Never thought of social networks in terms of working memory. Thanks for the comment.