The end is not nigh for Facebook

Every day there’s another article that predicts “the end is nigh for Facebook.” Internet experts love roller coaster rides. They seldom predict stability. I don’t think Facebook is going anywhere.

It’s true that teens and 20-somethings are leaving Facebook for other social networks. The latest trend in youth social networks incorporates self destructing Mission Impossible style content – messages and photos are deleted after you see them. Give the “young ones” credit – they are more aware of the power of Google indexing than most adults.

My generation (35+) isn’t going anywhere. Is anyone in their late 30s and older looking for new ways to connect with strangers? Our real life friends, hobby friends and old contacts are all on Facebook and I don’t see a mass migration. Do you want to spend another 3 hours filling out a new profile on the latest trendy social site? Probably not.

Facebook may be destined to become “the old geezer social network” in 10 years. If so, it can still be massively profitable. Those same kids will eventually get older and may find themselves back “home” at Facebook in 5 years.

Facebook and LinkedIn are the two most useful social networks for adults. We use LinkedIn for business and Facebook for socializing. If both companies play their cards right, that won’t change. I’m not a fan of investing in high tech (stick with your S&P 500 ETF and don’t take big risks on current trends), but am convinced that Facebook and LinkedIn have bright futures.

I enjoy using Facebook to connect with old friends, following Louis Armstrong (well, his record label, as Satchmo never made it to the internet) and keeping up with the few TV shows that I still watch (Person of Interest, with its NSA hook, is catchy). Social networks are an open door. I’m staying in the room I’m in and bet you will too.

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