facebookization

a few months ago i tweeted about facebook becoming the new google and the death of the website as we know it. i've since seen read write web talk about start-pages a la facebook, adweek comment on the evolution of websites to informational content vs. commercial because of facebook and countless other hints at how facebook is changing the website as we know it today.

here are 3 examples:

1. toyota - i'm not sure if it's still running but toyota has a tv ad that drives people to facebook.com/toyota instead of toyota.com.

2. la croix - i noticed the ad in the picture below while purusing the delta in-flight magazine. the ONLY call-to-action is centered around facebook. no mention of a website at all.

3. delta airlines - delta has enabled purchasing a ticket direclty from facebook. the feature is called the 'ticket window'. you can search and book a flight all from the comfort of delta's facebook page. many other companies are emedding direct ecomm solutions on their facebook page.

interestingly, just a few days ago i'm pretty sure i saw a similar if not the same toyota ad that referenced toyota.com instead of facebook. no doubt toyota is probably testing this strategy. i would hope many companies are testing this. what does it do to conversion? what does it do to brand perception?

there are two main thoughts here.

1) facebook is the new portal, or, some would say, start-page. you can discover new companies and services through facebook as well as interact with them. google may be good at helping you discover but that's where it ends; if you want to interact (buy, browse, etc.) you have to go to the to the site.

2) how ubiquitous must facebook be for a company like toyota to so strongly associate their brand with it. this is why facebook must tread so carefully in everything they do - not only do they have to keep their customers happy but they also have to help ensure the integrity of the brands that associate themselves with it.