By: Meniko’s Corner
Off to a Great Start.
When you think of Google, what comes to mind? Maybe one of the most successful search engines of its time? Yeah, that’s the same thing I think about when I think of Google, but many would be surprised to find that at one point, Google failed. In its first attempt (several more followed) died after ten years. Of course, I’m talking about Orkut; you know that social service developed by Orkut Bugukkoten? Launched back in 2004 by an employee of Google, to be exact. Within a year from its launch, Orkut had over 1.5 million established communities, talk about a growth spurt. What originally started as an independent project turned into a market leader. Thanks to its marketing action plan, it made Orkut such an instant success.
It’s interesting how Orkut was successful in Brazil but found no success in the United States. Many Brazilians accessed Orkut through internet cafes. Its popularity grew because of its mobility factor. In Brazil, it was one of the most visited sites, and at one point, Brazil accounted for about 11 million out of 15 million Orkut users – remarkable, right? But that’s not it; check this, Orkut had an invite-only membership. Unlike Facebook, you’re granted access to everything it offers with a created account. With Orkut, it was invite-based, so if none of your friends or co-workers were on it, you didn’t have access. Not only was it bougie regarding membership, but it was also user-friendly. At first glance, it’s safe to assume that Orkut understood its target market and what it wanted. The marketing team at Orkut knew something (clearly, it wasn’t enough); they went 10 years strong in Brazil.
Is Brazil to blame for the fall of Orkut?
So, is Brazil to blame for the downfall of Orkut? Let’s take a closer look. In 2005, Brazil launched the Clean City Law, which pretty much-banned billboards, digital signs, and advertising on buses which led many marketing teams in Brazil to scramble for the internet. This led Brazil to become one of the strongest markets for online retailers. Ranking the fifth-largest online market globally. Online marketing and advertisement were a plus for Brazilian social media users. With access to product research and online shops. There were other uses for the internet on other social media platforms Brazilians would watch videos and pictures of other online users making content about their favorite products and recommendation. But what happened to Orkut amid this new Clean City Law? After all, Brazil carried the most user accounts. Did they forget Orkut?
While other platforms advanced, Orkut, unfortunately, stayed behind. The website had functionality problems, including blockages, limiting the number of friends, and difficulty loading and sharing photos. All these issues led to the failure of Orkut. So, in short, no Brazil was not responsible for the fall of Orkut. It failed because it couldn’t keep up with the changes and ever-fast-growing internet. What started as a well-thought-out individual project later backfired on itself.
About Me
Hi, I’m Shemeika. A grad student and active duty service member. I recently started blogging in 2022 for a class assignment and found it rather interesting. I spend most of my time serving my country and sketching at nearby coffee shops. This blog is for my love of life and sharing my favorites with you!
Subscribe to My Blog
Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.
Menico Hart 
Leave a Reply