I have been using yahoo buzz since they made it available to all. Being a pretty active user in social media scene I would like to think I know a thing or two about social media. I have heard a lot about the potential of yahoo buzz and how it might be a direct competitor to Digg. I agree this to some point, but not wholeheartedly.
Upon using the buzz for a couple days I have drawn some conclusions. I might be right, I might be wrong. Before you read any further I would like to make it clear that these are mine and only my views and opinions.
Pros
Ability to Submit to Other Social Media
I love how yahoo buzz allows you to share links with other social media sites. This is an easy and handy solution as you can submit to yahoo buzz and go directly to the submission page on other social media sites.
Hard to Game the System
The fact that buzz doesn’t allow (not yet) to add friends makes it hard to game the system. Like Digg there is no top user status and following, so stories climb on what they are worth. Eliminating the mutual friendship through the site also eliminates gaming the system (somewhat).
Much Easier to Get on FP
At this point its too early to say but it is much easier to get a piece noticed on yahoo buzz. You can see from the image below some stories hit the top with a fairly decent vote. This allows the content and the community to be unbiased. Also buzz gives you an option to choose stories that are popular based on vote count or time duration. Digg has this feature as well but buzz adds two more options as it allows users to see stories based on 6 hours and 12 hours durations.
I have yet to experience the buzz traffic, so we’ll save that part for some other day.
Its Yahoo
Although most people think nothing can come close to digg and other social media, we do need to remember and realize that yahoo is not an underdog. As time goes by and buzz matures, I am sure there will be plenty of features that will be groundbreaking, I hope.
Cons
The cons discussed in this article are mostly the ones that have been discussed as pros. Just like everything else the same thing that makes something good can also make it less viable and feasible solution.
Nothing Social About It
The same thing that makes yahoo buzz strong in one aspect, makes it weak. Not being able to add friends or share each others profile completely takes away the essence of social media. There is a reason why we call it social media. This one approach that yahoo has taken (at this time) might not attract a lot of users due to the lack of social aspect.
If yahoo continues to keep the social aspect of the buzz distant, most users will find something that doesn’t. This is a major threat and possibility that it might die and just be another kid in the block.
I Want My Own Avatar
Most social media users like to use the same image ( avatar ) on all social media sites, including their profile name. Yahoo buzz doesn’t give this option to its users. I, for example, use the same profile name and image on all social media sites. If you look at my profiles below, you will see what I mean,
Having the same profile image, helps users create a brand through their name. Although it might seem like a small thing to “bitch” about, most active social media users would frown upon Yahoo Buzz’s this decision.
The System is and Will Be Gamed
Social Media, whether you see it as being social or gamed, will be manipulated in some ways. Although yahoo doesn’t allow users to share their profiles and become mutual friends and buzz each others submission, e-mails, IM and other ways have evolved in becoming “social” or “gaming” the system.
No matter how hard Yahoo tries, the system will be “GAMED!”
How the Heck Do I Check My Submissions
I am not sure if I haven’t been using it too much or haven’t gotten to know it but how the heck do I check my submissions. I have been buzzing stories a lot lately which means my submissions keep getting pushed as I buzz other stories, and if it means that I have to go through pages to find my submission under “my buzz activity,” am pretty much done with Yahoo Buzz.
Share your pros and cons on Yahoo Buzz – Lets discuss!
