Is Facebook REALLY Worth it?

Is Facebook Really Worth It?

Blog Date: 11/08/11

Author: Edwin Ayala, Management Major

Edited by: Louis Lamonte,  Accounting/Management Major

Even with the constant hype and push of the date of Facebook's IPO, people haven't been nudged toward purchasing the largest social media company's stock. But is it really worth it, anyway? Is Facebook such a national-- or furthermore-- worldwide phenomenon that people should put thousands upon thousands of dollars into it? Many would say "yes;" but how long will the success last? With all the format changes that Facebook has made (and plans on bringing to the website in the near future), I don't think users will have enough patience to deal with the site. They barely have enough patience to handle the new "stalker bar" on the layout (a vertical list of people online who you can "chat" with), let alone all the other changes that are planned for the future. It's not to say that the company won't make any money, but for how long will they make it? How long will Facebook last? It might crash, and if it does, much of the money put into the site will obviously be lost. Take a look at the out-of-date social networking sites, like MySpace. A website somewhat similar to Facebook in layout and purpose, MySpace fell off the grid with the creation and growth of Facebook, only within 10 years of it creation. Now, other networking sites like Google+, Twitter and Tumblr are looming and taking aim at Facebook. And who's to say that one of these sites won't follow Facebook's footsteps and wipe the social media monster off the map before-- or even during-- the time that Facebook goes public? This possibility certainly lessens the chances of actually making money off the networking phenomenon. So let me ask you this: Is Facebook really worth it?