08
Lookout MySpace and Facebook there’s some new Competition in Town
Posted by Matt | Posted in Social Websites | Posted on February-8-2009
Although previously unheard of, this social networking site is poised to burst onto the American social networking scene to take on two Internet behemoths. As far as social networking sites go MySpace and Facebook are by far the biggest players, with no real competition. That might not be the case by the end of this year. The name Hi5 is virtually unknown here in the U.S., but that isn’t the case overseas. Hi5 is the number one social site in over 30 countries spanning the globe from Latin America, to Europe, to Asia, and Africa.
What sets this San Francisco, California based company apart from its huge competitors is its language flexibility. Offered in over 40 languages (with more than 60 additional languages planned for the near future) they are way ahead of their competition. Currently with over 80 million registered users in over 200 countries, Hi5 is in the perfect position to be the most popular social networking site in the world.
Huh, I find that surprising. Didn’t know that not many had heard of hi5. I might have had an account there a while ago, but didn’t find it appealing in any sense.
On the contrary, I do not believe it may have a shot at 1st place - at least not by the end of ‘09. Orkut, another social network, is pretty unheard of in the US, but it’s pretty hot in some other countries (for example, India and Brazil). Unless hi5 comes up with something that Facebook and MySpace users are particularly looking for that neither social network offers, I don’t believe hi5 will be making major dents in the US market by the end of ‘09. They may make some major changes around the globe though, which may ultimately lead to some changes in America later on.