Flowd’s Social Music Network Features Electronica

Though Flowd bills itself as the "Music Lovers' Social Network", it seems to have become a dj driven music network with the top artists mostly identified as "trance". Judging by the numbers of followers of top accounts, Flowd does not appear particularly large, but it's a nice example of a niche social network designed with mobile users in mind. Unfortunately it lacks the vital component of music!

Flowd is a nice looking social network with a design that suggests a focus on mobile.  Though the light colored type on dark background feels a bit dated, it otherwise seems like a decent social networking platform.

Armin van Buuren Promo Video for Flowd

At some point, Flowd became a trance and electronica network featuring DJs as star artists.  This may have been a niche entry point, given the promo with Armin van Buuren in late 2010, but seems to have become their ongoing focus as well with most company news featuring announcements related to DJs.

Smaller networks interest me, in part, because I believe it's possible to mount successful fringe marketing campaigns that focus on smaller spaces on the web where it's possible to be heard.  Flowd has potential in that regard but primarily for musicians involved with electronica that are identified with or in relationship to the main currents of music on the site.

My concern for Flowd is that they don't have any music and they seem to have a limited niche that's not clearly marked.  If artists could embed content, such as YouTube videos or SoundCloud audio, then music could be introduced.

But they need to decide if they're going to remain a niche or reach out. Focusing on DJ-driven music would be a sizable niche that's much broader than their current range.  Or staying more narrowly defined and clearly identifying as such would be another option.  At the moment the branding and the actual community don't seem clearly matched.

Hypebot contributor Clyde Smith is a freelance writer and blogger.  Flux Research is his business writing hub and All World Dance: World Dance News is his primary web project.  To suggest websites and related topics for review, please contact:

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