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It seems that Facebook is taking over in the social networking scene.

I only say this because it seems to be popping up in conversations in all directions at the moment. All the people I know who use social websites are moving from MySpace to Facebook en mass.

The Alexa ranking certainly shows Facebook making ground on Myspace, with Bebo having a slower growth.

I am not the greatest social networker but having experimented with Facebook over the past couple of days, I certainly see more ‘networking’ value than MySpace, which seems more geared to bands it would seem who have maybe heard the stories of the likes of Lilly Allen.

Facebook seems to create more linking options to me, with more opportunities to interact with your friends, as well as create new friends, that may have relevance to the type of person you are. Not only that but to basically see what what is going on with your network in a much more interactive way.

Facebook - Hooking Up The World

Bokardo links to an interesting article about Facebook ‘Hooking Up The World’.

It’s a great concept which may have helped Facebook double it’s user base during 2007.

I have two concerns with any of these social sites with regards to investing time and effort.

1. It takes time, energy and commitment to make them work for you. Can you really afford an hour or two a day building up your network and interacting? Also, does the payback justify it?
2. The social websites seem to be incredibly faddy. Could you be investing a lot of your time into something that is relatively short-lived.

One interesting factor that may be in Facebook’s favour is that they seem to be addressing the basics of the website moving on from just messaging your ‘friends’ with more worthwhile linking. (see the article referenced above).

For anyone over 16, you may be interested in Rory Cellan-Jones article on the BBC website: Too old for networking? After which, he posted a follow up about how to make friends on Facebook. Revealing and amusing.