Why I’m loving Path

Path is a new(ish) mobile only social network that describes itself as the smart journal that helps you share life with the ones you love. You can only have 150 friends. And I’m loving it.  
One awkward thing about this post is that typically I write about a service and want people to “friend” me so we can play with it together. In this case, I’m going to use Path the way it was intended, which is to connect with only the people in my life that I have a close relationship with. Don’t worry, we still have Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Tumblr, etc. ;) 
 
Oh, and why did I “draw” the reasons I like it? I do that sometimes as its a creative way for me to lay out my thoughts on something. Like this. Also sometimes I do it because the guy next to me on the plane is oblivious to the fact that has arms are hanging way over the side of the arm rest, so far in fact hat I can’t even use my right arm to type. 
 
Anyways, if you find yourself loving Path like I am, I’d love to know why. Here are my reasons: 

 

10 Comments

  1. Scott on December 12, 2011 at 8:44 am

    So wait… doesn’t Google+ Circles mostly accomplish this? :) 



  2. Jeff Hilimire on December 12, 2011 at 8:51 am

    Not really to me. Google+ is basically just Facebook but a little different. Facebook has “circles”, Google just made it easier.

    But either way, give Path a try and I think you’ll find it’s different. Or maybe not, if love to hear either way. To me Path is different than all the other social networks.



  3. Drew Hawkins on December 12, 2011 at 9:15 am

    I am loving Path. It’s simple. well-designed and not noisy at all. It’s becoming one of my more frequently used social apps (second to Twitter)



  4. tpappy on December 21, 2011 at 11:01 am

    Setting up my Path, I realized my biz contacts to previous 150 ratio is way-hay-hay off. Is that good or bad?



  5. TS on December 21, 2011 at 11:05 am

    Are you doing your drawings on PAPER???



  6. Darin Wonn on December 21, 2011 at 5:31 pm

    I love it too. Mostly because of the sleek UI, but how do they make money in the long term? The UI and the limited amount of social connections makes display ads seem unlikely.

    How much would you pay for a premium version of path? Pay by the # of friends in your network?



  7. Jeff Hilimire on December 22, 2011 at 5:52 am

    Ha, nope TS, I drew that on the iPad of course ;)



  8. Jeff Hilimire on December 22, 2011 at 6:00 am

    How will Path monetize? Great question DW. Here are a few possibilities:

    – Since Path will essentially become your most trusted network, it would be ripe for personal affiliate shopping recommendations. For instance, if I recommend a new iPhone case on Path, and someone clicks through and buys it, Path and I could share in the revenue of the sale.

    – Ads are still likely in some form or another. You ask a good question, would I pay for access to Path? I’d probably be more likely to see an ad every now and again than pay for the service.

    – Since I think Path will be more of a visual/photo-based network, mainly because its mobile-only, there could be opportunities for printing photos (frames, postcards, calendars, photo albums, etc).

    – I already find myself “checking in” on Path more than other services, mostly because I’m only connected to people I’m really close to so I’m not worried about weirdos knowing where I am :) So there could be opportunities for “ad” sales for locations, to provide perhaps specials or richer content than just the name and location.



  9. Darin Wonn on December 22, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Good ideas all.

     I am fascinated by this idea of leveraging trust and exclusivity for higher-quality recommendations in this 150-person walled garden, because that is what makes Path unique.  I just wonder if that is enough to offset the throttle on “viral-ness” and public exposure that other social networks depend on. It may be the first social network where conversion is a more important metric for marketers than impressions.



  10. […] out with and every group that I’m on the board of.It’s why I believe that apps like Path and Flipboard have a shot at being successful. They’re designed so beautifully that you […]



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