Grupthink as a Product Review Engine?
Wednesday, July 19th, 2006 by Jamsterson - Grupthink TeamWhere do you go when you want to hear about real people’s recommendations for products and services? Could Grupthink become one of those places?
It seems so. In addition to its use as political debate forum, Grupthink is also being used actively as a product review system. From toys to software to sniper rifles, Grupies are discussing and rating their favorites, informing one another about new options and allowing a group consensus to emerge.
Not suprisingly, the product focus currently is on digital and internet-related tools and services. For example, topics on web browsers and email clients enjoy a lot of attention; even more popular though are the video gaming debates, including:
- What is the best Video Game Console?
- What were the best Super Nintendo games?
- Best Sega Genesis game?
Other product recommendation topics include digital audio players, cameras, books for kids, and even infomercial-purchased products!
With enough participants, we can see how Grupthink could become not only an interesting window into “what’s hot right now”, but also a valuable resource to help consumers decide how to get the most value from their purchases.
Which leads us to ask: How could Grupthink become a bona fide product review engine?
July 21st, 2006 at 3:37 pm
It’s kind of a toss-up. On one hand, letting the grup steer itself is kind if indicative of the power of free expression that is driving some of the ‘coolest’ sites on the web. On the other, it’s hard to sell this as a commercial venture simply due to it’s lack of control.
So I think that the answer lies greatly in where we see grupthink headed in the future. Is this going to be the market ‘Free Spirit’ that investors and advertisers jump on because it is the ‘cool place to be’, or because they feel that they have some sense of control or say over the meduim in which they are placing thier money?