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If Facebook import of Twitter friends existed, would it be the beginning of the end for Twitter?

By Zee
June 24, 2009
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If Facebook import of Twitter friends existed, would it be the beginning of the end for Twitter?I have a belief, a belief that very few “average Joe’s” on Twitter, people who work 9-5, aren’t part of any customer service team, aren’t entrepreneurs, aren’t marketers or freelancers, aren’t part of a new startup – they simply work because they may or may not enjoy what they do, but do it to feed the family or maintain their lifestyle.

I’ve also witnessed first hand Twitter devotees gradually devoting more time to Facebook, its fan pages and its Twitter-like tools – occasionally embarassed by the fact that they’re going to use what HAS become a rival service. There’s a compelling and very understandable reason for it, and that is Facebooks undeniable mainstream following. Facebook is really mainstream (it has all the average Joe’s) unlike Twitter which although appears quite mainstream, only does so because of the incredible amount of press coverage it receives thanks to the plethora of reporters who find it a useful tool (which it is).

But, what is Facebook did these three things;
a) made it possible to import ALL your Twitter friends into Facebook
b) added a resharing function equivalent to Twitters re-tweets.
c) created a twitter like search functionality (which apparently is on the way)

Would that be the beginning of the end for Twitter? There is no question that every reputable business with a Twitter profile, is likely to have a Facebook one too. Equally, virtually every active person on Twitter is likely to have a Facebook account. Twitter doesn’t reveal email addresses, which is why its not currently possible for Facebook to import Twitter friends. There is a Twitter Facebook app, which will tell you which of your friends currently use it – but not everyone on Twitter does. The most obvious way for Facebook to find Twitter friends on the social network would be to create a Twitter profile URL field, somehow I find that course of action highly unlikely.

In contrast, what if Twitter took John Battelle’s idea and integrated Facebook connect – would that be check-mate to Twitter? I don’t think so. Although you’d be able to invite your Facebook friends, it would still require them to sign up with Twitter. The fact is most people who want to join Twitter are likely to have already done so…the ball is well and truly in Facebook’s court.

Image via MelissaFeeney.


  • the first time when I sign up for twitter it was like a game with the statuses from the Facebook.
    I consider Twitter as Mini Me :)
  • Jacobshaw2010
    i just dont se it happening, people are not going to switch to face book because it has the same principles of twitter. the fact is facebook is chaos( to much stuff going on at one time) while twitter is simeple, interactive, and requires NO maintenance.
  • What twitter has over Facebook is its asynchronous connection system. Facebook still needs a 2 way connection for communication where Twitter is just 1 way. In this manner Twitter lacks the barrier that exists in the Facebook model
  • Peter O'Donnell
    My experience - and the people around me - is the opposite. We are have all drifted from being heavy Facebook users to heavy Twitter users. Facebook has too many annoying features, Twitter gives you much more control.
  • The main difference between Facebook and Twitter is the asymmetric 'friending'.
    As long as Facebook forces you to follow back when someone follows you, it will not be equal to Twitter.

    The moment they introduce asymmetric following - it's game over for Twitter imo.
  • I think you got this completely wrong.
    They will always coexist because they are perceived as different tools, which they are.
    Facebook is used to share stuff with your friends, and twitter with uour followers. Note the word difference.
    I have thousands of followers on twitter and I maybe know 5 of them, while I personally know 99.5% of my facebook friends.
    I also think twitter will take a bit more time than facebook to go mainstream. I can't see my high-school or college friends going on twitter anytime soon, as they are not heavy internet users they don't have any interesting stuff to share on the web, while on FB they share pics and videos of trips, events and all..
  • I believe that as much as the 2 networks emulated each other, each of them has a loyal following that would support them. I do not see Twitter changing to seem more like Facebook, I do see Facebook changing to be like Twitter. Twitter's limitations give it character. New applications can fill the gap for them.
  • andrew
    I have a twitter account and no facebook profile. Twitter is a tool to tell anyone and everyone what's going on. Facebook seems to be only for friends
  • I gave up Facebook a while ago... to much 'spam' from all those quizes etc.

    I love twitter for it's ease of use, I see messages coming in all the time, whilst if I want to communicate through Facebook, I would still have to fire up firefox, log in to facebook, blah blah blah, too much work for simple communication.
  • In my opinion, twitter's power is in its simplicity and LACK OF FEATURES. It is aimed at doing one thing and one thing only - simple interaction with groups. nothing fancy. That's why it is more popular than Friendfeed. Facebook on the other hand is a site you spend more time in, but doesn't provide you instant gratification.
  • Twitter is the simplest social networks to use, I keep saying it all the time. Everyone loves how simple Twitter is and it draws more and more people in everyday. It's not going anywhere, period! Facebook is definitely a great social network in it's own right, but how can you say it's going to end Twitter when it's taking all of Twitter's ideas? Twitter, in that case, will think of the next big idea. Yes, Twitter is huge because of the media, but what social network do you know that gets that kind of attention. Facebook isn't advertised on TV like that! I like having Facebook for my family and friends. I love using Twitter to connect with new people and that's something that Twitter offers in the simplest form possible. It's too difficult with Facebook, unless it's a fan page. With Twitter there's not a lot going on, which is what myself and other Twitter users like. Simplicity is golden when trying to attract new people!
  • I guess I am going to go against the majority here and agree with you. The conversation on twitter is ongoing so most older people (My Mom for example) can't quite keep up. Where as on facebook they can kind of check in from time to time. With facebook reaching 250 Million users (including my mom) I would say that the masses have spoken on this one.

    Twitter is becoming quite spammy as well and I am not sure what they can do about it. I think that facebook has done a pretty good job in keeping those annoying games and gifts out of my sight. Needless to say, I have both and both are quite useful to me. I ma just not sure how into Twitter my Mom is going to be. ;l


    @clintstelfox
  • Twitter is here to stay for one simple reason, it is for people who are not scared to share. The possibility that someone could re-tweet a news and spread it in large numbers is not possible on facebook.

    Facebook is primarily for people who you know, Twitter is not. I have quite a few followers and out all of them even if importer existed and all of them had fascebook, I would only like to add a couple to my friends list.

    I have too much personal information on facebook that I don't want to share with Twitter users.
  • Read simple article below you will find a way to import Facebook contacts to Twitter account.


    http://programminglanguagefaqs.blogspot.com/200...
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