Not to pimp my own entry, but I just submitted a post to HN about a 40 yr old company that makes $50-100MM/yr selling white label social network services. Interesting, but perhaps not extremely scalable (i.e., needs a sales force).
Almost no (current) social networks provide a service - they provide a distraction. And we're supposed to be surprised that they're having a hard time making money?
That's because the social networks haven't opened up the floodgates yet, they're still in data collection mode. The real revenues come when they sell your data -- when Facebook tells Miller that you are a central person in your social network who just sent a message about Bud Light to a frat buddy -- that's when Miller sends you a special offer for your next party and when the real revenues for Facebook come.
[+] [-] 1gor|18 years ago|reply
Online advertising is growing massively. Social network advertising is growing dismally. Why so many people are still kicking the dead donkey?
[+] [-] browser411|18 years ago|reply
http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=227040
[+] [-] boredguy8|18 years ago|reply
[+] [-] KaiP|18 years ago|reply
[+] [-] tortilla|18 years ago|reply
Read about them in my local paper. They actually charge for premium features.
[+] [-] alaskamiller|18 years ago|reply
[+] [-] akd|18 years ago|reply
[+] [-] aston|18 years ago|reply