We all remember MySpace, that ultra-customizable web application that was a great place to host your garage band. The general opinion of MySpace today isn't exactly favorable. I know that for my generation, it usually elicits laughter and complete dismissal when someone brings it up, MySpace was SO eight years ago. People my age were young teenagers around that time, so we naturally associate our unhappy MySpace pages with boy bands, middle school drama, and puberty.
What we will admit, however, is that MySpace definitely had an edge over Facebook for a couple years there. It was officially launched in early 2004, when Facebook was still a university-based network. I know that I didn't get a Facebook account until 2007, but MySpace was already on the decline by then. Overuse of banner ads slowed down navigation of the site, and everything just became too cluttered, especially when the novelty of customizing your page wore off. Facebook's streamlined approach was just more attractive to the online population.
What matters now is that MySpace is attempting to make an unprecedented comeback in social media. MySpace will continue to be entertainment-oriented, they say. They know that a large portion of its loyal visitors stuck with it as a way to discover and listen to free music. Taking a note from Facebook's success, the site has been completely redesigned. It's simpler, more attractive, and extremely conducive to mobile devices. Looking at examples of the new layout, social media savvy people will notice it appears to be the ultimate combination of Pinterest, Tumblr, and Facebook. Could this be a winning combination? Instead of being an internet slave like me, who manages accounts on each of the sites mentioned above, would MySpace be the ultimate convenience where I can post everything in one place?
MySpace has enlisted the help of actor/pop artist Justin Timberlake to promote the revival of the site. (Lest we forget Justin Timberlake played a starring role in The Social Network. Irony?) Can MySpace overcome its dismissive reputation? Will JT & co. be able to convince the world to join up with YET ANOTHER social media platform, where of course gathering information and marketing segmentation of its users is the bottom line? Googling "MySpace comeback" produces dozens of news articles on the subject, but the tone does not seem supportive. "Justin Timberlake tries to bring MySpace back" and "Justin Timberlake's MySpace Comeback Destined For Failure" are two of the top results. Well, I guess only time will tell! If millions of people return to their forgotten accounts with new inspiration, less-than-stellar reviews from traditional news sources won't mean much.
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