You are here: Home / Archives for Jolie O'Dell

Facebook’s Journey From Founding to IPO [INFOGRAPHIC]

June 22, 2011 by Leave a Comment


Is Facebook ready for its heavily rumored IPO next spring?

With the massive growth of its staff and userbase, the huge rounds of funding it has taken and its ever-rising valuation, and the company’s increasing significance in the global sphere, the startup has clearly moved into the realm of enterprise.

To quickly sum up the company’s journey from dorm room to Silicon Valley, we have an infographic from real-time social media startup Namesake.

Click image to see full-size version.

[source: Namesake Blog]

More About: facebook, facebook ipo, infographic, ipo

For more Business & Marketing coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Who Won the Presidential Debate? Facebook Gives Some Clues

June 14, 2011 by Leave a Comment


In Monday’s New Hampshire Republican Presidential Debate, Americans tuned in (and logged on) to listen to what the seven declared Republican hopefuls had to say.

In the immediate aftermath of the debate, Mitt Romney and Michelle Bachmann (who officially announced herself in the running on air tonight) each got high marks from the pundits — but the pundits are a tiny fraction of America’s millions of voters.

And many of those voters gave their silent approval for each would-be nominee by liking the debaters’ Facebook Pages.

Here’s some data from Likester, a startup that’s all about analyzing the data in Facebook Likes, on who “won” the debate in terms of sheer popularity with everyday American Facebook users.

The stand-out frontrunner was Mitt Romney, who ended the night with the greatest number of new Facebook Likes and the greatest overall Likes on his Page.

Michelle Bachmann ranked second in the number of new Likes on her Facebook Page, showing that her performance was more popular than that of Ron Paul, who has more overall Likes but fewer new Likes because of the debate.

Clear losers were Newt Gingrich, who gained few new Likes and saw a smaller percentage increase in Likes, and Rick Santorum, who had the greatest percentage increase and the lowest number of new and overall Facebook Likes.


Mitt Romney




image courtesy of Flickr, wacphiladelphia


Michelle Bachmann




image courtesy of Flickr, gageskidmore


Ron Paul




image courtesy of Flickr, gageskidmore


Newt Gingrich




image courtesy of Flickr, gageskidmore


Herman Cain




image courtesy of Flickr, gageskidmore


Tim Pawlenty




image courtesy of Flickr, gageskidmore


Rick Santorum




image courtesy of Flickr, gageskidmore

More About: 2012, debate, gop, gop debate, Political, politics, presidential, Republican

For more Social Media coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Woman Catches Husband in Fake Murder Plot With Fake Facebook Profile

June 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment


We know Facebook gets brought up in a lot of divorce cases, but this is ridiculous.

A 29-year-old woman going through a difficult divorce created a fake profile in an attempt to get some dirt on her soon-to-be-ex-husband.

Posing as a 17-year-old girl named Jessica Studebaker, Angela Voelkert contacted her husband, David, 38, on Facebook. The friendship that developed between the husband and the fake profile turned out to be a lot more incriminating than Angela could have imagined at the outset… or so she thought.

In messages with “Jessica,” David predictably asked the girl to run away with him; he also admitted that he had installed a GPS tracking system on his wife’s vehicle — both of which are enough for criminal charges in themselves.

The husband then proceeded to tell “Jessica,” a.k.a. Angela Voelkert, that he wanted his wife out of the picture — and by “out of the picture,” we mean “deceased.”

However, David has been able to prove to prosecutors he knew the fake account was his wife all along. Although he fed his ex quite a line in the messages, the charges have been dropped.

This is the fake profile the wife used to catch her husband supposedly plotting her murder.

Here are some excerpts of the messages from court documents:

“Once she is gone, I don’t have to hide with my kids… I can do what I want and not have to worry about not seeing my family anymore. You should find someone at your school. There should be some gang-bangers there that would put a cap in her ass for $10,000. I am done with her crap!

… See, I am taking care of everything! I will finally be free, my kids can grow up and not be around all the hatred, it will be over. With me gone with my kids, the police can’t pin anything on me as I will be in another state, so I will be fine.

Will you be ready to go with me on the 10th? Let me know, baby!”

There are so many takeaways from this news item. Don’t feed the trolls, especially if the troll in question is your ex. Don’t start drama on Facebook. Don’t get police and criminal courts involved in your petty personal issues.

But if you learn nothing else from this news, please put this piece of advice in your back pocket: If you’re going through a divorce, don’t use Facebook. At all. Ever. Period.

More About: Angela Voelkert, facebook, Jessica Studebaker, murder plot

For more Social Media coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The Facebook Effect on Relationships [INFOGRAPHIC]

May 31, 2011 by Leave a Comment


Facebook and romantic relationships make for a potent — and potentially volatile — combination.

While the network does offer opportunities for meaningful social interactions and self-esteem boosts, it also opens a Pandora’s box of options for spying, stalking and other insecurity- and jealousy-driven actions between lovers.

And all those public relationship tidbits of data, from new relationship announcements to breakups to digital PDA, can have an impact on how others, including your partner, see you.

Here’s an interesting infographic on the subject from Online Dating University and AllFacebook.

How do you handle Facebook when it comes to interpersonal relationships, especially those of a romantic variety?

Click image to see larger version.

[via AllFacebook]

Image based on a Flickr photo from rpb1001

More About: facebook, infographic, relationships

For more Social Media coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

How Your Facebook Info Would Sound in the Real World [VIDEO]

May 15, 2011 by Leave a Comment


Trying to imagine our online behaviors in an offline world has been the subject of many a viral video.

The latest installment in this vein is “The Offline Social Network.” This clip comes from Australian comedy show Hungry Beast and personifies the ubiquitous Facebook as the sort of earnest evangelicals who ask passers-by about the eventual destination of their eternal souls.

And the result? Let’s just say “What is your sexual orientation?” is as awkward a point-blank question as “Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?”

This video reminded us of a few other funny Facebook-as-real-life videos, so we’ve put together a brief gallery of viral clips for your enjoyment.

Watch and enjoy, but do try to get outside a bit as the weekend winds down… And whatever you do, don’t go “poking” anyone in person.


The Offline Social Network (HUNGRY BEAST)


Two guys walking around asking people the same questions they get asked when they sign up to Facebook. Will hilarity ensue? You betcha!


A LIFE ON FACEBOOK by Alex Droner


The story of a man told through Facebook's interface.


Facebook in real life


Idiots of Ants answer the question "What would Facebook be like in real life?"As seen on BBC Three

image courtesy of iStockphoto, RyanJLane

More About: facebook, humor, offline, online, video

For more Video coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , ,

Google Versus Facebook: Following the Money

May 12, 2011 by Leave a Comment


If you’ve been disconcerted by the news that Facebook was conducting a smear campaign against Google, perhaps a little look at the financials might clear up a few key points.

Both companies have already been in fierce competition for online ad dollars for a few years. Google makes the majority of its income from search ad programs like AdWords and AdSense, but as the incumbent in online advertising, it has to watch its back very carefully.

Facebook’s ad revenue hit an impressive $1.86 billion for 2010, and the site may account for as much as one-third of display ad impressions. For 2011, Facebook is expected to bring in $4.05 billion in advertising revenues worldwide, $2.19 billion of which will come from the U.S. market.

Also, given Google’s recent launch of +1 — a half social, half traffic-generating web search feature — Facebook might be feeling even more pressure to make sure users are wary of the tool and less likely to use it without overthinking it. After all +1 is a Facebook Like competitor. And both +1 and Likes can generate valuable data used in ad targeting. So if Facebook can convince the web-surfing world that Google is negligent about user privacy, +1 won’t be as valuable as Google might otherwise hope.

Ultimately, these two corporations are not making web apps for the pure joy of protecting user privacy; they’re in it to make money. And if Facebook can grab a bigger piece of that pie, it certainly will.


Facebook Versus Google: Following the Money





Facebook Versus Google: Following the Money





Facebook Versus Google: Following the Money




More About: advertising, facebook, Google, Revenue

For more Business & Marketing coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, Google, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Microsoft, Not Facebook, Might Actually Buy Skype [REPORT]

May 9, 2011 by Leave a Comment


Rumors are swirling about the acquisition of VoIP giant Skype, and reliable reports are now pointing to Microsoft as Skype’s possible new owner.

Four days ago, we heard that Facebook was reportedly offering between $3 and $4 billlion to acquire Skype or (perhaps more plausible for a startup with $2 billion in annual revenue) that Facebook might simply construct some sort of joint venture with Skype.

Now, the Wall Street Journal is reporting Microsoft is paying in the neighborhood of $7 billion to buy Skype. The Journal‘s unnamed sources “close to the matter” indicated that talks were ongoing as of Monday evening but that an announcement could be made as soon as Tuesday.

We’ll continue to keep you updated on the possibility or proof of a Skype acquisition. This series of rumors could indicate a bidding war, in which case the outcome won’t be entirely certain until reps confirm or deny a deal — and none of the aforementioned companies are ready to talk just yet.

More About: acquisition, facebook, microsoft, Skype, telephony, voip

For more Business & Marketing coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , , , , ,

For Students, What Is the “Facebook Effect” on Grades?

April 27, 2011 by Leave a Comment


Social media has several effects on academic work — some more positive than others. But what is social networking’s overall impact on college students’ performance?

According to data gathered from several sources by OnlineEducation.net, Facebook and Twitter are used to great benefit — sometimes. Students welcome online engagement and resources; around 75% of student respondents said they’d like to do some online collaboration for class, in fact.

Also, social media may have a positive impact on students’ sense of themselves in the community. Social media-using students were twice as likely as other students to feel well-liked by their peers and to participate in extracurricular activities. And 20% more of Facebook-using students (as compared to students who didn’t use Facebook) said they felt connected to their school and community.

However, negative effects abound. Students who use Facebook and hit the books simultaneously found their multitasking led to 20% lower grades than those of their more focused peers. Facebook-using students also made less money during school from part-time work, putting in around five hours per week as opposed to 16 hours per week for a typical, unplugged counterpart.

Not only do grades and finances suffer, but students might actually end up feeling more depressed or lonely. Almost half of students believe they are sadder than their friends on Facebook, and 25% of college students have shown signs of severe depression in their status updates at one time or another.

In a word, the results are inconclusive. But with around 96% of all college students on Facebook, only the most dedicated academics would consider giving up social media for a slightly better GPA.

In the comments, we’d like to know what impact social media had or has on your academic work. And if your college career pre-dates social media, how do you think college is better or worse because of Facebook?

Click to see larger image.

Lead image based on a photo from iStockphoto, EricHood

More About: education, facebook, infographic, students

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

A First Look at Facebook’s New Deals [PHOTOS]

April 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment


Facebook’s new Deals feature will launch Tuesday in five U.S. cities. Here’s a first glimpse of how those offers will look and function.

First, users who opt into Deals will get to see opportunities specific to their locations. Those offers will arrive via email or, in some cases, will appear in the user’s news feed on Facebook.

To be clear, these aren’t like the checkin-based deals for mobile users that Facebook launched for its nascent Places platform; while the initial mobile Deals product competed with Foursquare, the new product competes more with Groupon.

Each deal will have its own Facebook landing page, as shown in the gallery below. Users can “Like” a deal, share it via several channels on the site or opt to buy it right away. When purchasing the deal, users can pay with credit card or Facebook Credits.

It’s unknown whether Facebook will make more money from Credits purchases than from traditional ones. “We’re not disclosing details about revenue splits, but paying with Credits will work the same way as paying with a credit card,” said a Facebook representative via email. “It’s simply another way for people to pay for Deals. We think this just makes things easier for people using Facebook.”

Check out the gallery below for a walkthrough of signing up for, finding, buying and sharing the new Facebook Deals.


Facebook Deals' Landing Page





Example of a Facebook Deal





Buying a Facebook Deal





Sharing a Facebook Deal




More About: facebook, Facebook Deals, screenshots

For more Social Media coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Facebook’s New Deals Product Coming to 5 Cities Tuesday

April 25, 2011 by Leave a Comment


Facebook is finally launching local Deals — a feature that will compete with Groupon‘s core product, not Foursquare’s — in five cities starting Tuesday.

The five communities in question are San Francisco, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta and San Diego. Facebook revealed to The New York Times that the local offers made to Deals users will be delivered via email and will also appear in users’ news feeds.

Any Facebook user can sign up for Deals notifications on the feature’s landing page now; users in the five test cities will be able to see and use Deals within a few hours of the writing of this post.

UPDATE: We’ve now got screenshots of the all-new Deals.

Facebook’s first local deals product was announced as part of Facebook’s overarching locations feature, Places. Mobile checkins were linked to deals; in this way, Deals served as an incentive for Facebook users to integrate Facebook Places in their daily lives — and they were also an incentive for marketers and major brands to put more money into the Facebook platform. Facebook even briefly launched a page to let web users find these checkin-focused deals on the web.

However, the new Deals will be less like a Foursquare coupon awarded to the user after a checkin and more like a Groupon voucher, which means the user will buy a certificate for a certain good or service at a steep discount, typically half off its retail price, then redeem it later.

Examples of the new breed of Facebook Deals from brands include “unlimited bowling with six friends for an evening for $60 (75% off)” and “luxury winery tour and 25% off all wine purchases for $50.”

Perhaps most importantly, users will be able to buy Deals using Facebook Credits, paving a smooth path between a virtual currency and real-world goods and services. We suspected Facebook had plans to bring Credits to the real world since around the time of f8, the company’s developer conference, when Facebook announced its ambitious Open Graph.

Users will also be able to buy Deals with major credit cards.

Image based on a photo from Flickr user nathangibbs.

More About: facebook, Facebook Deals, groupon

For more Social Media coverage:

Filed Under: Facebook, search engine optimization, Social Networking Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
«Older Posts
7 visitors online now
4 guests, 3 bots, 0 members
Max visitors today: 19 at 12:35 am EDT
This month: 35 at 05-16-2013 08:04 am EDT
This year: 112 at 04-11-2013 09:43 am EDT
All time: 112 at 04-11-2013 09:43 am EDT
Get Adobe Flash player