New Site Aims to Stem the Exodus of Users
The social media platform Nextdoor has been undergoing an exodus of users and is launching a new service to address their grievance: Burgled Nextdoor.
Initially, the communication team thought users were simply migrating to the Best of Nextdoor Twitter feed. However, monitoring of the Twitter feed suggested no uptick in followers from Berkeley. Subsequent focus group research indicated users were leaving in droves to escape the onslaught of postings involving burglaries and related thievery throughout the city. Consequently, the social media site has decided to divert such reports to a new platform — Burgled Nextdoor.
The Nextdoor team reported, “the focus group data were alarming! Users told Nextdoor they initially came to the platform for puppy photos, feel good stories and the opportunity to provide advice on arcane topics.” One participant stated, “yeah, after looking at pet photos I would love to engage users over macrame techniques to develop more elaborate hitching patterns. The early days were bliss; I even transitioned to origami methods. However, these days it’s endless video of porch pirates from Nest doorbells and broken car windows. The whole thing was bumming me out; I had to escape.”
Another former user noted, “I joined the bike group to meet local riders and learn about new trails.” I started waking up each morning and finding out their bikes have been stolen. It’s a total buzz-kill.”
these days its endless video of porch pirates from Nest doorbells and broken car windows. The whole thing was bumming me out; I had to escape.
Focus Group Participant
Henceforth, all such reports will be posted on the new site Burgled Nextdoor. Branded as “social media dedicated to anti-social behavior” the aim is to segment the audience market between those who want to escape reality and those who embrace it. In addition, this segmentation will make site administration much easier. Nextdoor’s lead engineer pointed out, “all that Nest doorbell and related video footage was really jamming our servers, it was impossible to keep up. Having an entire platform dedicated to such content really makes administration easier.”
The core site will return to feel good stories, free stuff and picturesque sunset photos. The team hopes to reach out to past users and bring them back into the “feel good fold.”