- Startups - News Roundtable with Robert Scoble and Rafe Needleman-TWiST #316

TL;DR

Instagram faces backlash over changes to terms of service, Facebook launches competitor to Snapchat, Path introduces search feature, and Kickstarter projects often experience delays.

Transcript

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Key Insights

• 👤 Social media platforms like Instagram and Path need to carefully consider the language and implications of their terms of service to avoid backlash and mistrust from users.
• 🛀 Facebook's willingness to copy successful features from other platforms, like Snapchat, shows their determination to stay on top of social media trends.
• 📽️ Kickstarter projects often face delays, which is important for backers to consider when supporting a project.
• 👤 The success of social media platforms depends on their ability to adapt to changing user needs and interests, while also addressing privacy concerns and providing value to users.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Instagram face backlash over their changes to terms of service?

The language in the new terms of service raised concerns about users' content being used in advertisements without compensation. Users felt that their ownership and privacy rights were being violated.

Q: How did Path address the issue with its lack of user adoption?

Path introduced a new search feature and the ability to import content from other platforms like Facebook and Instagram, which aimed to make the app more appealing to users who were hesitant to join a new network.

Q: How common are delays in Kickstarter projects?

According to a study, 84% of the top 50 Kickstarter projects examined had shipping delays of at least two months. This is often due to the overwhelming support and demand that comes from a successful campaign.

Q: What impact did Facebook's Poke have on Snapchat?

Facebook's Poke was seen as a direct competitor to Snapchat, offering similar features for sending short-lived messages and photos. This put pressure on Snapchat to continue innovating and staying ahead in the market.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Instagram's changes to its terms of service cause controversy and mistrust among users, leading the company to backpedal and promise to explain their advertising plans in the future.

• Facebook launches a competitor to Snapchat called Poke, which allows users to send short-lived messages and photos.

• Path introduces a search feature that allows users to search through their moments and showcases nearby moments from other users.

• Kickstarter projects, particularly in the tech and design categories, often experience delays in shipping, leading to frustration among backers.