Grouping em along

Facebook groups seems to have changed the manner in which users look for information online.

October 20, 2014 07:37 pm | Updated May 23, 2016 07:33 pm IST

Instant answer to all questions: Social media knows it all

Instant answer to all questions: Social media knows it all

Some years ago, when the internet was still something you used to access occasionally only to read mail or catch up with an old friend on chat. Looking for restaurant and eating options, house rentals or buying new property, looking out for a job, checking out the latest movie all happened with the help of classified ad magazines or with inputs from friends and family members. Social media, more specifically Facebook, has changed all this completely.

In this time and age, right from getting a new job to getting a new house and furnishing it and finding domestic help can be done on the site, thanks to groups such as the popular Put Me In Touch, Bangalore flatshares, Second To None and Foodies in Bangalore etc.

Sudhir. K, an IT professional spent more than two months visiting property dealers and scouring ads in magazines looking for a place to stay in the city.

"I was told about Bangalore Flatshares, Flats and Houses Available by a friend and joined immediately. I managed to find a house in my budget rather easily.”

He adds, “I prefer using facebook to get real time reviews about upcoming restaurants and discussions about food on groups such as the Bangalore foodies club. I like food and the group has made me learn about different cuisines, recipes and made me more keen about food. It gives me a lowdown on the best places to eat in the city.”

Sales consultant Prakash G. says, “From finding your friends and tracking their lives to ensuring groups that provides all the information at the click of the button is one of the reasons that Facebook has been successful. I use PMIT to find any information I seek and manage to get it in no time at all.”

Prakash does factor in the usual trolls, who occasionally ruin the experience.

“There are some flipsides of depending too much on Facebook, you may end up being duped or have trolls invade your inbox, giving out information you do not require. However, most users are genuine and are prompt in their responses. I also visit the Bangalore foodies club and am a keen contributor at a railway fans group on Facebook.

It has helped me get in touch with people who have similar tastes and interests.”

Kumar S, a property relator got on Facebook, after realising its immense potential to attract customers for his agency. “However, I got hooked onto groups such as the ones talking about sports cars and food. I have learnt a lot more about both food and cars, after joining these groups. I make it a point to keep a tab on the reviews of the most important restaurants in the city.”

However, not everyone is very convinced about the utility of groups on Facebook. Geo Joseph, a student quips, “I use facebook only to catch up with friends and see pictures.

I find most discussions on these groups banal. Restaurants get terrible reviews based on one bad review and people often tear into each other, just because they did not agree on the aesthetics of a picture.I would much rather depend on my peer group and family members for all sorts of information.”

He adds, “The information revolution has made us lazy. We want everything to be available to use quickly without even moving a inch from our consoles. That does not always work out fine."

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