One of people’s biggest complaints about Twitter was the inability to organize streams of tweets. With all tweets being thrown together users couldn’t focus on specific segments of their life (personal, business, fun, etc.) and the value those they follow in each category provided. Because of the rapid growth of Twitter and the increased clutter on many people’s main stream the rising social network needed to come up with a solution and quick before users left. Introducing Twitter lists. Now users had exactly what they wanted – a way to group their following into categories and have a concentrated focus while reviewing tweets. This may have saved Twitter, for the time being.

Facebook has also re-designed their homepage almost once a year since its birth in 2004. Why? Because avid Facebook users demanded more functionality and a better interface with instant abilities to share and comment on what others were doing. Furthermore, the most recent homepage designs for Facebook are more ideal for businesses which drive Facebook financially through their version of paid advertisements, keeping users on the homepage longer increasing their chances of having their fan page visited and acted upon.

Besides listening to its users, top social networks realize change and adaptation is necessary for survival in a market where new powers can enter and are backed by large market share in other areas. The introduction of Google Buzz has put a lot of pressure on both Facebook and Twitter because it rests in a place tens of millions already are, Google’s email system Gmail. Since its introduction back on February 9th, Google Buzz took only 2 days before over 9 million posts and comments were made. Google described the quick effect of Buzz as well as their priority to please the people in a recent post titled “Millions of Buzz users, and improvements based on your feedback.”

“Improvements based on your feedback” is a motto all social networks, and businesses, need to consider and act accordingly to. User’s activity is the lifeline for social networks and the ones people spend the most time on will win and carry on. Social media platforms need to evolve with our social environment to stay in existence or risk becoming extinct. The always listening ear and actions that follow is now more important than ever.

Do you know of any other platforms that could threaten Facebook or Twitter? Besides Google Buzz, there has been a lot of talk about Pip.io which has drawn attention for its attractive user interface.

- Billy
@BillyMacDonald