Like a cockroach, MySpace continues to crawl forward even after its head has been chopped off. Yes,  Facebook has overtaken Myspace eMarketer shows us. TechCrunch predicted the fall of MySpace's empire back in May, and like vultures, we've all been watching. (Also, of note, MySpace today cut 30% of its U. S. staff, says Caroline McCarthy at CNET).

Sure, there's still thousands of people using MySpace, but its just not the giant it once was. Nowadays, MySpace exists mainly for celebrities and bands. At one point, businesses tried to make MySpace their space, but Facebook offered a much sleeker deal and so began the downward cycle.

Here are some of my thoughts on why MySpace is dying:

• Poor Design - You've seen it. Clutter. Just pick a random page and its busy enough to cause early eye-strain. The navigation tools aren't user friendly and the interface just screams 90s. MySpace assumed that its connectivity out-weighed simple design.
• Advertising - They could probably change the name from MySpace to AdSpace. Modern audiences want their ads to unobtrusive. MySpace made "LOOK-AT-ME!" obnoxious video ads famous.
• Bathroom Wall - I once heard MySpace called the bathroom wall of society. Of course every chat room, forum or social website has people without decency. MySpace just made the news more often with them.
• Younger Audience - Based on a presentation by Bob Hazlett of One Half Amazing the average user age on MySpace is significantly lower than other social media sites. This audience has less money, more time and less... restraint. Many migrate to other places, like Facebook, after they "grow out of" MySpace.
• Fluidity - Most social media sites rely on ease of use. The fact that each profile is so customizable often causes more confusion that personalization.

As MySpace takes its nose dive, I have very little remorse. The site will probably continue to limp along, and markets may even continue to seek a target audience there (musicians and teenagers) but most of us will move on to greener pastures.

What are your thoughts on MySpace? Sad to see it go? Hardcore supporter? Don't care either way? Why do you think its declining?

Tags: 30%, emarketer, layoff, MySpace, Place, TechCrunch

This entry was posted on Friday, June 19th, 2009 at 5:49 pm and is filed under Social Media. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.