(no subject)

[jademermaid]

I don't usually read the news bulletins here. You probably don't either. Like me you probably missed the announcement that LiveJournal is switching off the ability for users to make new, basic accounts. While current, basic accounts will stay, in future, new users cannot create a basic account, only a Plus (full of ads) or Paid.

I'm a paid member, as it happens - it doesn't cost that much to join and there are some clear benefits.

This action hurts all users - even paid members - because it prevents you from growing your audience; your "friends". The marketing value of being able to say "come over to LiveJournal and friend me" has been totally negated in one move - because without the basic, free account with limited bells and whistles and no ads, I don't think they will hang around to pay for an account anyway.


But the thing that really has folks in an uproar is that they did it without saying anything first. This has really set folks off, and they are taking it personally.

Comments

[myrrhdusa.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's the sneakiness that I don't like. Why not simply let people know that they were phasing out Basic accounts? LJ has always been very open with their community, but since this buyout, the new regime haven't been as forthcoming. It's a business, I get that, but it's also a community.

[icbhod.livejournal.com]

True enough......I mean, its not like the people that are already in the game with Free accounts are going to bail because they are a dead breed....and even if they did, its not a huge deal to them anyway because they aren't drawing any revenue from them....

[erikthedane.livejournal.com]

Agreed on the sneakiness. And there is a pretty special community here.