Comments on: Netflix Quietly Rolls Out Social Networking Features http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/ Startup and Technology News Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:42:37 -0800 hourly 1 By: kalpana http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-2525707 kalpana Thu, 06 Nov 2008 09:01:31 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-2525707 Nice article.. Nice article..

]]> By:   Social Networking Added to Netflix by B.R. Daily http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1566926   Social Networking Added to Netflix by B.R. Daily Tue, 21 Aug 2007 23:09:40 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1566926 [...] of July 30th, Netflix has joined the social networking craze. Tech Crunch reported yesterday that the video rental portal has added a new community aspect to its Web site, [...] [...] of July 30th, Netflix has joined the social networking craze. Tech Crunch reported yesterday that the video rental portal has added a new community aspect to its Web site, [...]

]]> By: Social networking elements, anyone? (Mr. 6) http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1563739 Social networking elements, anyone? (Mr. 6) Sun, 19 Aug 2007 07:35:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1563739 [...] profiles. Netflix is providing regional movie ranks, and ask you to mingle with your online friends through recent-rented DVDs, favorite movies, hated movies and even quizzes on friends’ favorites and [...] [...] profiles. Netflix is providing regional movie ranks, and ask you to mingle with your online friends through recent-rented DVDs, favorite movies, hated movies and even quizzes on friends’ favorites and [...]

]]> By: Joana http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1563440 Joana Sun, 19 Aug 2007 00:06:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1563440 hi i enjoyed the read hi i enjoyed the read

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1557992 Jon Wed, 15 Aug 2007 23:36:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1557992 Netflix has made- and continues to make- a fundamentally huge mistake by keeping their community closed. It has allowed the rise of Flixster- a competitor in the making or by acquisition- in the video delivery business. What does Netflix gain by keeping their community features closed to non-members? Just about nothing. Imagine the user experience at Amazon.com if you have to be a 'subscribed' Amazon member in order to read product reviews. Instead of building Netflix into the 'gold standard' for user-generated movie reviews and other film content, the company is allowing others to fill the void. What does Netflix gain by opening their community to non-subscribers? A massive amount of content for search engines to index, driving up site traffic to Netflix.com. With an open community, members could invite non-members to join their Netflix network, giving the company an opportunity to convert each new participant into a paid subscriber. And as the community grows- along with the number of users contributing and filtering content- the quality of Netflix's content rises as well. This dynamic leads to a virtuous cycle of new memberships, better content, a stickier user experience, and less churn. Of course, Netflix can game the system so that members have access to a few special features and hold higher status in the community. But shutting out non-members is a zero sum game. So how long has it been since Flixster showed signs of fast growth and closed a round of funding? It appears that Netflix doesn't get the the importance of user-generated content and social networking, or they've become too big and corporate to make things happen quickly. Netflix has made- and continues to make- a fundamentally huge mistake by keeping their community closed. It has allowed the rise of Flixster- a competitor in the making or by acquisition- in the video delivery business.

What does Netflix gain by keeping their community features closed to non-members? Just about nothing. Imagine the user experience at Amazon.com if you have to be a ’subscribed’ Amazon member in order to read product reviews. Instead of building Netflix into the ‘gold standard’ for user-generated movie reviews and other film content, the company is allowing others to fill the void.

What does Netflix gain by opening their community to non-subscribers? A massive amount of content for search engines to index, driving up site traffic to Netflix.com. With an open community, members could invite non-members to join their Netflix network, giving the company an opportunity to convert each new participant into a paid subscriber. And as the community grows- along with the number of users contributing and filtering content- the quality of Netflix’s content rises as well. This dynamic leads to a virtuous cycle of new memberships, better content, a stickier user experience, and less churn.

Of course, Netflix can game the system so that members have access to a few special features and hold higher status in the community. But shutting out non-members is a zero sum game.

So how long has it been since Flixster showed signs of fast growth and closed a round of funding? It appears that Netflix doesn’t get the the importance of user-generated content and social networking, or they’ve become too big and corporate to make things happen quickly.

]]> By: adair http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1557703 adair Wed, 15 Aug 2007 19:43:54 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1557703 @david. i'm surprised that netflix has not done this yet. i've sent a few requests to the guys asking why this has not been done yet. there are some third party apps there, but they are pretty limited. the dude is also banking on some amazon referalls, a ploy netflix could easily exploit to get dudes signed up for their service. lost opportunity if you ask me. i'm also a little unsure as to why google doesn't author some facebook apps. the third party google reader shared app kinda sucks. @david.

i’m surprised that netflix has not done this yet. i’ve sent a few requests to the guys asking why this has not been done yet. there are some third party apps there, but they are pretty limited. the dude is also banking on some amazon referalls, a ploy netflix could easily exploit to get dudes signed up for their service. lost opportunity if you ask me.

i’m also a little unsure as to why google doesn’t author some facebook apps. the third party google reader shared app kinda sucks.

]]> By: Mark Hendrickson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556686 Mark Hendrickson Wed, 15 Aug 2007 05:41:53 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556686 #12 - Typo: Oops, thanks. #12 – Typo: Oops, thanks.

]]> By: David Mackey http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556643 David Mackey Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:58:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556643 They should make a facebook app. to integrate with their social networking features. They should make a facebook app. to integrate with their social networking features.

]]> By: Jon http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556588 Jon Wed, 15 Aug 2007 04:12:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556588 "Add a social networking module" will be the buzz word for the next century... I still am not sure if it's a step forward or backward. Jon “Add a social networking module” will be the buzz word for the next century… I still am not sure if it’s a step forward or backward.

Jon

]]> By: typo http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556341 typo Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:28:46 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556341 I think it is Flixster and not Flixter. I think it is Flixster and not Flixter.

]]> By: Mark Hendrickson http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556335 Mark Hendrickson Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:23:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556335 Really? I don't think I've used the phrase anywhere else yet...but I'll be careful not to use it again in the future =) Really? I don’t think I’ve used the phrase anywhere else yet…but I’ll be careful not to use it again in the future =)

]]> By: Allen Stern http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556315 Allen Stern Wed, 15 Aug 2007 00:09:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556315 Mark - you like using "we caught wind" :) Mark – you like using “we caught wind” :)

]]> By: Jimmy Huen http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556204 Jimmy Huen Tue, 14 Aug 2007 22:08:01 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556204 Blockbuster will be further behind if Flixter is coming out with DVD distribution and online models, if they have not been moving that direction already. I might have to give Netflix another shot. Blockbuster will be further behind if Flixter is coming out with DVD distribution and online models, if they have not been moving that direction already.

I might have to give Netflix another shot.

]]> By: Anonymous Coward http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556182 Anonymous Coward Tue, 14 Aug 2007 21:38:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556182 The backlash against social networking will start in 5...4...3...2...1 In last few months, I have killed every social networking account I have. I don't miss any of them and my life has not changed one single bit. How does the average social networking site change the life of Joe or Jane Consumer? The answer: It doesn't. The value of social networking is a myth perpetrated by people that are selling social networking. The backlash against social networking will start in 5…4…3…2…1

In last few months, I have killed every social networking account I have. I don’t miss any of them and my life has not changed one single bit.

How does the average social networking site change the life of Joe or Jane Consumer? The answer: It doesn’t. The value of social networking is a myth perpetrated by people that are selling social networking.

]]> By: Craig http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556105 Craig Tue, 14 Aug 2007 20:27:03 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556105 Dave Winer kinda broke this about 4 days ago you just have to wade through all of the Calacanis spat stuff http://www.scripting.com/2007/08/10.html Dave Winer kinda broke this about 4 days ago you just have to wade through all of the Calacanis spat stuff http://www.scri...2007/08/10.html

]]> By: adair http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556061 adair Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:41:20 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556061 aside from the widget, review stream, and strangers like you features, this is nothing new. Netflix has had these features implemented for a long time. they just sucked at leveraging them. Many of these features were tough to locate on their old site. this is more of a UI redesign rather than a launch of new features. in my opinion netflix should be doing much more than what they have currently achieved in terms of social networking tools. they have such a huge database of information, i can only hope that they take a cue or two from last.fm, a company i believe to have perfected media based social networking. aside from the widget, review stream, and strangers like you features, this is nothing new. Netflix has had these features implemented for a long time. they just sucked at leveraging them. Many of these features were tough to locate on their old site. this is more of a UI redesign rather than a launch of new features.

in my opinion netflix should be doing much more than what they have currently achieved in terms of social networking tools. they have such a huge database of information, i can only hope that they take a cue or two from last.fm, a company i believe to have perfected media based social networking.

]]> By: Phil M http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556052 Phil M Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:36:12 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556052 The price would be better, (for Switchplanet as opposed to Flixter) that is for sure. Flixter has only been funded for 9 months, it would take an epic offer for them to jump at it. I was just making the point that Netflix has been doing a terrible job at the social side for over a year. It looks like they are putting real resources towards it now and will surly do well with it, meaning Blockbuster will fall farther behind. Flixter could have been a shot to get in with a younger demo. The current 21 - 35 crowd is over, Blockbuster lost. The price would be better, (for Switchplanet as opposed to Flixter) that is for sure. Flixter has only been funded for 9 months, it would take an epic offer for them to jump at it. I was just making the point that Netflix has been doing a terrible job at the social side for over a year. It looks like they are putting real resources towards it now and will surly do well with it, meaning Blockbuster will fall farther behind. Flixter could have been a shot to get in with a younger demo. The current 21 – 35 crowd is over, Blockbuster lost.

]]> By: trade dvds GURU http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556021 trade dvds GURU Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:07:56 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556021 flixster for blockbuster? they have games too so they would be better off going with something like switchplanet.com and the price would be better. :) flixster for blockbuster?

they have games too so they would be better off going with something like switchplanet.com and the price would be better. :)

]]> By: Phil M http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556018 Phil M Tue, 14 Aug 2007 19:00:58 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556018 I have thought for a while that Flixter.com is a perfect acquisition for Blockbuster. They have no social element to what they are doing with Blockbuster Online, and until now, Netflix's social side blew. I would have been a good move to get ahead of the Netflix for once. They would have had to pay top dollar for Flixter.com, but it could have been worth it. It would have been a great way to market themselves to a younger generation that will be making a Netflix vs. Blockbuster decision when they enter college. Blockbuster blew it again. I have thought for a while that Flixter.com is a perfect acquisition for Blockbuster. They have no social element to what they are doing with Blockbuster Online, and until now, Netflix’s social side blew. I would have been a good move to get ahead of the Netflix for once. They would have had to pay top dollar for Flixter.com, but it could have been worth it. It would have been a great way to market themselves to a younger generation that will be making a Netflix vs. Blockbuster decision when they enter college. Blockbuster blew it again.

]]> By: Antje Wilsch http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1556007 Antje Wilsch Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:45:42 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1556007 Netflix does a ton of user testing. From a development standpoint, it's really interesting how they run these test simultaneously. At an event where their head of UI spoke, they can have up to 40 running on any given day. A piece of very good news for all the start-ups on here, they used to have to do completely diff focus group and usability tests for the east and west costs vs. the middle america because of vastly different user behaviors. This has come closer to being almost negligible today. Netflix does a ton of user testing. From a development standpoint, it’s really interesting how they run these test simultaneously. At an event where their head of UI spoke, they can have up to 40 running on any given day. A piece of very good news for all the start-ups on here, they used to have to do completely diff focus group and usability tests for the east and west costs vs. the middle america because of vastly different user behaviors. This has come closer to being almost negligible today.

]]> By: Shawn Honnick http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/comment-page-1/#comment-1555994 Shawn Honnick Tue, 14 Aug 2007 18:36:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/14/netflix-quietly-rolls-out-social-networking-features/#comment-1555994 All they need now is a Facebook application! (seriously) All they need now is a Facebook application! (seriously)

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