Poke: The Facebook app that never really had a chance


Yesterday was Facebook's 10th anniversary and the social network's presence on Apple's mobile devices is huge. The official Facebook app and Facebook Messenger are the two must-have apps from the company, with the newly released Paper showing promise as well. Then you have the Facebook Pages Manager and Facebook Camera, which target a more narrow segment of the overall user base and have been met with a lukewarm response overall. And then there's Poke.


Regardless of whether or not anyone at Facebook had an idea for a timed, expiring messaging app previous to Snapchat's release in 2011, Poke's debut in late 2012 will forever be seen as the company's most transparent attempt to simply grab an existing idea and slap a coat of blue paint on it.


To be clear, there's nothing wrong with that strategy, and many extremely successful ideas (including some from Apple) started with other companies. It's the reality of many industries, and tech is no different. However, the company doing the adopting still needs to convince the end user that its version is worth using in place of the original, and Facebook never did that with Poke. In fact, it never really even tried.


Everything from the app's description in the App Store -- which consists of five brief bullet points and nothing more -- to Facebook's complete abandonment of the app after its release has given it a very cheap vibe. It's the dollar store version of a proper social app.


There are plenty of reasons that Poke didn't overtake Snapchat as the go-to disposable messaging service (and never will), but there are two that I think played the biggest roles:


First, the initial reaction among Snapchat users was extremely negative. By the time Poke launched, Snapchat was already a massive force, and regardless of whether the majority of Snapchat users also had Facebook accounts, it felt very much like Poke was a ripoff. This is evident in Poke's user reviews, where the single most popular rating is one star. The reviews include things like "They made Snapchat" and "Is this a joke?" and even calls for all-out Facebook boycotts that obviously never materialized.


The second reason -- and what I think may actually be the biggest factor in Poke's long-term demise -- is that sending a message as you would on Snapchat isn't necessarily something you want to do with Facebook friends. Facebook has built itself around identity and real-life friends and family. Snapchat is the exact opposite.


It's often simply referred to as "the sexting app," but that pejorative label hints at the bigger picture; Snapchat is about mystery. You get a message knowing it will only last a matter of seconds. What could it be? Will it be funny? Will it be mean? Will it be naughty?


Personally speaking, I've never used Snapchat with someone I am good friends with in the real world, and I don't think I'd ever want to. I don't need a 10-second glimpse into the life of a good friend. I have no reason to send a family member a photo or video that disappears after a blink. But peaking into a world I'm not familiar with -- which could make me smile, laugh, cringe, or gasp -- is the kind of small treat that ensures I'll never delete Snapchat from my phone.


Facebook seemed to realize pretty quickly that there was little reason to devote any additional resources to Poke. The app was released in December of 2012, and it's been updated exactly zero times so far. That's 14 months without a single new feature, tweak, or adjustment.


In a way, it's somewhat surprising that Poke still exists at all. What's not surprising is that it's the least popular Facebook app in terms of ratings, and it will likely remain that way until its death. So as we remember a decade of social networking, spare a thought for Poke, because nobody else will be.




Share





via TUAW - The Unofficial Apple Weblog RSS Feed http://ift.tt/1nT9gC7

9 comments:

Elbert said...

Thanks for sharing awesome blog post, I read the whole stuff. To get more info about pharma consulting services, visit Medical device consulting firms.

Tom said...

Hello everyone! I want to recommend you a beautiful service! Now you can save you time and spend with your friend! If writing personal statement service you have friend of courese! Essay writing and homework is not problem! You have to see this . Good luck!

Tom said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
John Merfy said...

Facebook is a good application for those who want to waste their time. Now repair your mobile in Baltimore from vfixphonesandtech.com check out for more information.

Billy Kimber said...

People use facebook for just time pass. If they learn about facebook they can earn a lot of money with it. It's time to get Telemarketing Services click for more information.

julia said...

It's a nice post about Facebook poke. This is unique information. Keep sharing your content with us. Now it's time to avail shutters in birmingham for more information.

kevinnelson said...

Facebook's Poke, a timed messaging app, failed to gain traction despite its ambitious foray into the messaging app niche. The app, criticized for its lack of updates and commitment, was criticized for its one-star ratings and mismatch with Snapchat's ephemeral nature. Despite its lack of updates since December 2012, Poke remains the least popular Facebook app, with its ultimate demise predicted. lawyers for contract disputes

Lewis said...

Navigating Virginia's traffic laws: Discover how many points is reckless driving in virginia carries in the state, providing insight into the severity of the offense and its potential impact on your driving record.
protective order hearing virginia
reckless driving statute virginia
fairfax traffic lawyer

julianqueen said...

The Poke feature on Facebook was a lighthearted gesture that allowed users to send a virtual "poke" to their friends. Although it was initially popular when Facebook first launched in 2004, the Poke feature gradually lost its significance over the years. It essentially became a relic of the past, a digital nod to the early days of social media. The Poke served as a playful way to get someone's attention without directly messaging them.
divorce rules in new york

Post a Comment