In this day and age, it is almost impossible for a company owner to not use Facebook/Instagram. There are just too many people underway there and by not using it you just forfeit that customer group to your competition. Unfortunately, there is a large group of people who have given up independant blogs and forums for the convenience of being connected to so many groups in one place. This convenience has led to the downfall of many independant blogs and forums. Some would say that this is simply evolution and we should get used to it.

Let’s face it, running a blog or forum costs money and takes time. You have to rent hosting, buy a domain and install and update some kind of software. Yet we get it for free from Facebook. Our own blog, connected to literally millions of people. Sounds like a winner, a real no-brainer… Until you ask yourself: hunh, how do they make money? They are just a bunch of great guys who want to connect people, awesome. There is an old adage that says “nothing is for free” and for the most part, it is true. Facebook earns billions…

I have worked in the online industry for quite a while now and I know how hard it is to make money online just selling ads. Even big sites with millions of visitors have a hard time just paying the bills with ads. Insiders know that it takes more than just ads, you have to be creative. Really profitable sites are selling something. Facebook is not telling anybody just how they are making their money but knowing what I do, I have always had an uneasy feeling about Facebook. This uneasiness would be confirmed with the outing of Cambridge Analytica and their relationship with Facebook. Those not familiar with Cambridge Analytica, should read this article published by the New York Times here: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/19/technology/facebook-cambridge-analytica-explained.html

Facebook’s reputation has taken a few hits due to data loss scandals and privacy issues. I personally do not trust Facebook and if it were up to me as a private individual, I would delete my account and walk away.