The end (and beginning) of Squidoo Groups
‘Groups’ on Squidoo have kind of always been the misbegotten stepchild of the Squidoo platform. They are difficult to manage, incredibly time consuming, and many are poorly executed.
Conversely, there are a few undisputed group ‘masters’ out there like Margaret and Janus that have made some groups that have a true community to them and really give back to the Squidoo community.
HQ has announced that groups as we know it are going the way of the dodo… or at least the way of an endangered species.
The simple way to explain the problem with groups up to this point is that they simply weren’t ‘remarkable’ when compared to what a lens could do. In many ways, groups were (and are) very similar to lenses and in many cases the value they add is hard to define or justify over using a lens for the same purpose.
Where are groups going in the future? I’m not sure, but if there’s one constant around Squidoo… it’s change.
Comments and thoughts about the future of groups? (looking for constructive or speculative thoughts here, not flaming of the decision)
April 12th, 2009 at 10:51 pm
Time to clean up some of my junky ones…
April 15th, 2009 at 11:08 am
I have 2 groups, and really hope that HQ don’t decide to close them. One I created only a month ago, but have tried to make it different, and to keep the group page up to date. The other I took over a few weeks ago, and am trying hard to bring it up to date and to refresh it. I would really be frustrated if all my efforts and time on these was just thrown away. However I do have a couple of ideas should these fail.
April 15th, 2009 at 6:20 pm
Groups will never be the ‘get together and discuss’ pages that they seem to be intended for without the addition of some type of forum-like modules. As is, they do have a lot of potential as hand-picked lens catalogs.
Hopefully, with higher standards and the removal of selfishly run, abandonded and totally useless groups, those that survive will actually improve the quality of members’ lenses by connecting them with related and equally valuable content.
I’m looking forward to the changes with relish!
April 17th, 2009 at 9:54 am
Yep — Margaret Schaut and Janusz definitely do a bang-up job with their groups. I appreciate how they foster a sense of community spirit. Glad to see that there is some new attention to the groups — especially since they command a presence on our lenses — in that right column! I’ve got only 6 groups that are nichey — and quite focused; hoping that they make the cut.
April 17th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I think it is a good idea to shut down groups that are spammy or inactive. Joan4 and I have our South Carolina Group that we are proud of and sure hope that it will not be shut down. It is for any lensmaster from our great state of South Carolina and also any lens that includes information about South Carolina. We feature every lens on our headquarters page and recognize a lensmaster with our Carolina’s Finest Award every quarter. The top ten lenses in our South Carolina Group are recognized on several lenses. We also have a Blog on SquidTop that we write about the group and we now have a lens that tells about it. Yes, it is time consuming to manage but we feel it has been well worth the effort and hope HQ does to.
Thank you.
April 17th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
We have many groups. Perhaps 15 or so. We maintain them regularly, but I can see HQ’s points as many of the groups are not managed at all. The plexos are set to automatically add, and the membership the same.
I think HQ is doing the right thing, however, I hope they will put some effort into those of us remaining.
April 17th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
I like groups because you can see related lenses that you might not even think of when doing a search. However, the groups that just accept any lens (all lensmasters). Groups ought to have a subject or theme.
April 17th, 2009 at 4:30 pm
I like groups because you can see related lenses that you might not even think of when doing a search. However, the groups that just accept any lens (all lensmasters) should be eliminated. Groups ought to have a subject or theme.
April 19th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I don’t run any groups myself but have joined more than a few. I think that groups have their place but ultimately their worth is determined by the lenses which are allowed within the group.
Ryan
April 22nd, 2009 at 3:09 am
My groups are in terrible shape! Yep I am guilty of neglect! I guess it is time to freshen them up!
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:26 pm
I have two groups that I keep pretty well maintained. My other 2 have a very narrow focus and not many members therefore not much activity. I’d hate to lose them though!
April 23rd, 2009 at 12:47 pm
I have always wanted to create a group to list my lenses following the same topic. Now I’m wondering if that’s even allowed with the new rules.
But I think it’s great that they’re doing something. Groups really have been more like an afterthought than a cool and active concept ever since I joined Squidoo.
May 1st, 2009 at 5:12 pm
One thing I noticed about the groups, is that it wasn’t clear what to do once you joined or what their purpose was. Maybe it was just the few I checked out, but they only appeared to be a single page with a few lenses of people that joined. Perhaps I don’t know where to find group news or something in the way of group updates, forum, news or activities? It just seemed to me that the word “group” should imply some sort of obvious interaction.
Thanx
July 2nd, 2009 at 3:41 am
I have two groups that I haven’t gone vary far with yet and I doubt if they will ever go anywhere. It’s difficult to see where to go with the groups or what they can do that you can’t do with a lens. Networking can be done with the fan club or linking other lenses. I like the idea but they will need more defined development to be effective.