All In One Place - Social Media Aggregation
The overabundance of social networking services seems to have thinned out to the point where we are now left with a few top platforms like Facebook and Twitter, Digg and Foursquare - thank god! Nonetheless, you may prefer to have one place to operate, edit and monitor all these services - on a single dashboard with a single login. I took a look around and have selected my top three so-called social media aggregators, all of which are packed with features but still free.
Flock is a social web browser based on Firefox that pulls all your contacts and content together into one convenient overview, for a fully integrated browsing experience with lots of extensions that will never make you want to switch back to your old browser again.
Access: Fully integrated social web browser (by Mozilla)
Services covered:
- Over 20 social media services, including Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, Delicious, Digg, YouTube, Flickr and Picasa
- Email clients such as Gmail, AOL Mail and Yahoo! Mail
- Flock’s blog editor works with Blogger, WordPress, Typepad, and others
Features:
- Peoples Sidebar that combines Facebook and Twitter friends (see each service individually or all updates aggregated in one chronological feed) and lets you post updates to each or all services right from the sidebar
- Media Minibar to upload photos and videos directly into Youtube, Flickr and other services
- Flock’s Blog Editor allows you to post any content directly onto your weblog
- Browser extensions/add-ons such as OpenID authentication, URL-shortener, screenshots, and many more
Downside: Flock is not web-based, so unfortunately you can only access your aggregated social media via Flock on your on, or any other where you can download and install the browser.
Originally a popular tool for tweeters, TweetDeck has evolved into a comprehensive platform that services Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace. TweetDeck has a rich blend of customizable features that will help you to track your social media efforts.
Access: Desktop application and mobile apps (iPhone, iPad and Android)
Services covered: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Foursquare, MySpace, Google Buzz
Features:
- Column-style interface that filters your information (Twitter and Facebook lists, key word searches, trends)
- Scheduling feature to send tweets or updates later
- URL auto-shortener bit.ly incorporated for tweets and image uploads
- Real-time saved search feature to follow keywords and topics
- Manages multiple Twitter accounts
- Notifications for new tweets, mentions and direct messages
- Follower management features (spam filter, manage twitter lists, new followers column)
- Drag and drop images (from Flickr) into TweetDeck to share it
Downside: Like Flock, TweetDeck is not web-based and therefore not accessible from public computers, but if you have a smartphone you may use the app, which offers (almost) the same scope of features.
HootSuite is packed with features that enable you to customize, track and post in the blink of an eye. And it’s the PR-Hamster’s aggregator of choice (mainly used to manage Twitter).
Access: web-based dashboard, mobile apps (iPhone and Android), and as browser plugin
Services covered: Twitter, Facebook (also Facebook Pages), LinkedIn, Ping, WordPress, MySpace and Foursquare
Features:
- Tabbed layout to manage multiple services and even multiple accounts of one service
- Multiple users over various accounts (only available to premium users)
- Draft, safe and schedule messages and updates
- Customizable streams for friends or lists (drag and drop users to the group)
- Hootlet for browser toolbar to bookmark and share pages
- Embeds streams or single columns into a blog or website
- Incorporated URL shortener ow.ly
- Analysis feature tracks links and messages, gathers information on clicks and your audience, and easily exports the statistics
Downside: Unfortunately, the multiple user feature is no longer free but only available to premium users. Also, HootSuite does not notify you of comments and messages on Facebook, which is crucial for an active and professional engagement with the network.
More Services:
Here is a list of more social media aggregators that differ in their focus and scope of features depending on what you need, but they should all help you save valuable time online.
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Web-based |
Let’s you share any content with almost every social media service you can think of (almost 60 services)
Bottom line: Not the most exciting interface, although this is a matter of taste. |
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Desktop application |
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Throws contacts from almost all instant messaging and social networks into one dashboard
Bottom line: If you like the idea of Flocks People Sidebar but are not ready to replace your old browser, Digsby might be a good alternative. |
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Build into your Gmail account |
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Integrates Twitter, Flickr, Picasa and Blogger, BUT NOT Facebook
Bottom line: If you can easily go without Facebook but never without all your beloved Google gadgets, the Buzz is the perfect addition to your already google-ized life.
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Desktop application |
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Streams from more than 120 social sites; full Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn support
Bottom line: A very handy all-rounder that pulls in every bit of social conversation but manages to keep it neat and simple. |
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Web-based |
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Complemented with some 40 social media services including Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Tumbler, Flickr, WordPress, Identi.ca
Bottom line: Ping.fm successfully combines the key features of social media aggregation tool and keeps it simple at the same time. |
