Facebook is the New Britney Spears

Image by Cherrysweetdeal via Flickr

Oops, they did it again!

These days it seems like its all anyone can do to keep up with the hustle that Facebook has going. I mean, just when you get used to one new thing, they announce something different altogether. I know, its frustrating even for people, like me, who LOVE this stuff. But, if youre NOT a social media rock star and dont play one on TV, heres the skinny on the latest brand tagging.

Last week, Facebook added a new functionality to their photo tagging system. In addition to tagging your friends , you can also tag brands. You read that right you can now tag that can of Pepsi sitting next to you in that pic.

When I first heard about this, I immediately went over to HonestlyNow.com to ask how many people would actually tag a brand in their Facebook photo. 75% of those who voted said, No way, and Id be helping huge companies promote their wareswhy?? The other 25% were willing to play ball.

Interesting .

IMHO, theres an opportunity and a challenge both are opportunities if you ask me. The up-spin is both large AND small brands can tag their wares. So, that means Grown Up Soda can be tagged right along with Pepsi. Theres an opportunity for smaller brands to make a come up, if they play their cards right. Tagging contests and all sorts of jolly good times can be had by all. It only takes one SMART marketer to color outside the lines.

Which leads me to what I believe to be the down-spin: it only takes one SMART marketer to color outside the lines. Whats to stop someone with a vendetta against Starbucks, from tagging Starbucks cups as Dunkin Donuts? Or Dominos Pizza as Papa Johns? Or a McDonald’s bag as a Wendys bag?

Im not trying to throw any one brand under the bus here, but Im just wondering if ANYONE at Facebook thought about the long-term implications of their new brand tagging feature. The crowd is fickle, dear Facebook and oops, you did it again.

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