Google (GOOG), Yahoo! (YHOO), MSN, and AOL are already in the instant messaging business, so it would seem that there is not any room left there. But News Corp’s (NWS) does not seem to care. They are launching their own IM service for MySpace, and perhaps the big social networking site as a large enough user base to make it work.
AOL already has 50 million users for its IM service followed by MSN with over 24 million and Yahoo! with 22 million.
Because social network websites have not developed a robust revenue model, MySpace is trying everything from adding video and photo sharing to its new IM project. None of it is likely to help. Social network audiences are hard to segment and many people who use the sites are unlikely to take a shine to advertising. The web properties are like Hoovervilles for those surfing the web with nothing to do.
Instant messaging for MySpace is not likely to be much of a success.
Douglas A. McIntyre
Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With An Advisor Now (Sponsored)
Are you ready for retirement? Planning for retirement can be overwhelming, that’s why it could be a good idea to speak to a fiduciary financial advisor about your goals today.
Start by taking this retirement quiz right here from SmartAsset that will match you with up to 3 financial advisors that serve your area and beyond in 5 minutes. Smart Asset is now matching over 50,000 people a month.
Click here now to get started.
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.
Latest from 24/7
