The Buzz Bin

Ping.fm is a straightforward service, allowing users to post to multiple social networks from a single dashboard. The service provides users with multiple ways to post updates and URLs, and advanced customization that allows users to pinpoint exactly which social network a message is delivered.

This service supports over 30 social networking sites including Flickr, Twitter, Plurk, Linkedin, FriendFeed, WordPress, Diigo and Facebook. Users can update their social networking profiles using mobile phones, SMS, MMS, Instant Messaging, email, and third party applications such as iGoogle, Facebook and Twhirl with one submission.

Buzz Meter Ranking: 2 out of 4 Buzz Bees

Positive: The Ping.fm’s user experience and functionality is great, and the ability to update from virtually any device to any social network makes pinging your friends mobile and fast. Additionally, Ping.fm stays up to date with the latest social platforms, allowing users to grow their social presence across multiple social networks quickly. The customization options are also useful, as often times different social networks are associated with different audiences. For example, a person’s Yammer and Facebook networks will likely receive quite different messaging.

Negative: In order to act as a single social posting hub across multiple platforms, Ping.fm removes users from the social network, thus, making the experience less social. Unlike TV, the power of social media is in its ability to create a two way conversation. To engage in conversation, share ideas, and have a dialogue, not blanket the web with one directional status updates. Ping.fm is not a strong listening social platform.

Conclusion: Given the importance people and organizations place on having a broad social presence – and the time it takes to keep these multiple social networks alive and rich with updated information – Ping.fm’s service is occasionally valuable. However, engagement in conversations is vital, and therefore Ping.fm may be limited to those instances when social media can become a one directional plateform: For example, upon return from a trip and posting photos, or during busy periods when time does not permit full dialogue but providing status update are important.