My disdain for Vleisboek is well known and basically based on the fact that Facebook is a Walled Garden – you have to have an account to see stuff and a lot of the content is denied to the search engines. In addition Facebook own all the images and content you post PLUS they make money out of your content and images.
I suppose Facebook is a bit like a casino where the punters bring the stock and conveniently leave it behind when they lose. See the MyPE Facebook page – be nice.
But, back to why I am such a hypocrite – As I was deleting the umpteenth submission to the MyPE Business Directory from a foreign business wanting to be listed I realised that the MyPE directory is also a form of a Walled Garden as we only accept free submissions from 041 dialling code based businesses and also make money out of the free listings via adverts.
By the way – I delete a lot of submissions to the directory from businesses based in other cities and countries worldwide. I can only say that we must be doing something right if other people find us and want to be part of our successful directory. If you are one such ‘foreign’ (or local) business try MyYellow which accepts free business listings worldwide.
Should I apologise to Facebook? Should I also apply for an IPO?
