The world's most successful social network
There is so much talk about social networking these days and how everybody is trying to figure out a viable business model. Friendster, LinkedIn, Orkut, Tribe all get talked and written about every day. But nobody mentions what I believe is the world's most successful social network. Its shaadi.com Its an Indian matrimonial site and has many social networking features. I heard their ad today on the radio and they claim that 500,000 of their members found their match on their website. That is NOT 500,000 dates, that is 500,000 marriages! If that is not successful, then I don't know what is.
Matrimony is big business in India and for a country with a very large foreign resident population, internet provides an easy way to connect with people back home. When it comes to marriage, trust becomes a key issue. Social networks have trust built into them. When you connect to somebody who is n degrees away from you, there are n-1 intermediaries (whom you trust) who can vouch for that person. Shaadi.com doesn't harness that trusted network. And I think that is an oppurtunity to create an interesting social networking application.
Comments
the founder even made a movie called flavors, too much money to be made from marriages
Posted by: Jatin | July 6, 2005 01:22 PM
Well, shaadi.com doesnt really classify as a 'networking' site.. its more of a one-to-one site..its not abt making new 'contacts' and renewing old ones..yes its successful but as a matrimonial thing.. BTW there's an upcoming movie called shaadi.com ..
Posted by: Twilight Fairy | July 6, 2005 02:27 PM
another thing why in the world are we Indians getting married in the hordes? Btw i bet search for a dulhan for you is on..hehe
Posted by: Jatin | July 6, 2005 11:02 PM
Thats a cool idea!
Posted by: Sorav Bansal | July 8, 2005 08:47 AM
actually 500,000 memebers found thier match means 250,000 marriages.
Posted by: Vivek | July 26, 2005 09:07 PM
looks like Gaurav is plugging this site blatantly...
Posted by: abc | January 17, 2007 02:51 AM
dear gaurav
u have written that When you connect to somebody who is n degrees away from you, there are n-1 intermediaries (whom you trust) who can vouch for that person. Shaadi.com doesn't harness that trusted network. And I think that is an oppurtunity to create an interesting social networking application.well thats a good idea but how is it possible to do so.do know any way through which it can be done.if yes i would love to hear from u , how to do so.
please reply me.
my mail-id is amanshu83@yahoo.com
take care
aman
Posted by: aman | August 16, 2007 01:19 PM