I certainly remember the time when social networks were incipient and especially aimed at a very specific audience, even for a while interested in technology and with some technical knowledge. Over the past 15 years, we have undoubtedly seen and experienced firsthand the vertiginous rise of social networks and their integration into our daily lives.

However, not all social networks have evolved in the same way or have endured. Many social networks, for various reasons, "died" along the way, some leaving users practically stranded and others abandoned little by little by their own users until they disappeared. But we could find a concrete list of reasons behind the disappearance of social networks, and if so, Hive from a social perspective could avoid these mistakes and learn from past experiences to not repeat the mistakes of others.

Let's do a brief analysis through the most well-known examples.

Not so Social

Perhaps MySpace was the first social network to reach wide popularity and a loyal audience. With its great level of profile customization and the feeling of being close to friends and celebrities in one place, it had a sad end mostly due to the growing relevance and innovation that its main competitor, Facebook, quickly began to implement. Facebook, despite the apparent lack of customization compared to MySpace and its coldness, outdid it by presenting a closer and more connected world, with an experience focused on immediacy and effective communication between users.

Google+, we all remember it because we were practically forced to have an account on this platform. Google tried with all its might to enter the social network market, but its proposal lacked any appeal and, combined with major security flaws, did not achieve a large number of active users.

Jumping to video platforms, today we all know TikTok or the reels and Shorts on Instagram and YouTube, respectively. But a few years earlier, Vine existed, a short video platform that had a great explosion of popularity, especially among young people. The emergence and adoption of the short vertical video format by more popular social networks with an already large audience ended up displacing Vine.

Other platforms like Orkut, very popular in India and Brazil, DeviantArt, focused on artists, and Tumblr with its customization and closeness, fell by the wayside despite having a large audience, due to the lack of innovation and adaptation to new technologies and trends.

The Reasons

With all this on the table, we can list some common reasons that are quite interesting.

1. Lack of Innovation: Undoubtedly, this is the common factor. Platforms that do not evolve and adapt to the needs of users and trends end up being forgotten.
2. Competition: The tech world is competitive, especially in the social network market, and much of this competition can be quite tough.
3. Security: Most users are concerned about the security of their data, so security issues can lead to a loss of trust and erosion in the user base.
4. Unsustainable Businesses: The lack of a business strategy and monetization for both the network and users can lead to a loss of interest or turn projects into unsustainable ventures, leading to closure.

And Hive?

For now, Hive seems to avoid many of these problems due to its origin and trajectory, though it suffers from others on a larger scale. The decentralized structure ensures that freedom of expression and participation is favored without strict control imposing limits or censorship. However, it has managed to create a base of responsible and committed users.

Despite the fact that Hive promotes innovation and has seen great advances, maintaining a dynamic of greater dynamism and immediacy for the end user is extremely necessary. New dApps and features are needed to attract new users and maintain the interest of the old ones, but without sacrificing the essence it has managed to obtain.

Hive's strong point is the reward system for both creators and curators, an incentive more than enough to maintain interest and active participation. However, it is not being effective enough, as sometimes it leaves the social factor somewhat behind.

Lastly, I would like to add that prioritizing the transparency and security of the entire ecosystem is a necessity. Beyond the immutable record, projects and witnesses need to provide a certain level of communication with users. I have spent little time on Hive, but I think I have learned a lot and found many users willing to explain. However, to some extent, there is a barrier of ignorance that can drive new users away.

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