Twitter’s amazing market research tool

search[NOTE: I do not endorse this company, nor do I know much about it or care to be part of it.]

A friend recently asked me about some company called Shop to Earn. Right off the bat, I didn’t like the name. It sounded like either a really lame business venture or a scam, but I didn’t know anything about it, so I started asking him what he knew. Apparently, he had been approached about starting his own business through them and wanted to know what I thought since he considers me to be pretty web savvy.

I tweeted to see if anyone had ever heard of it and then went searching for answers on Google, but when I didn’t find anything conclusive, where did I turn? Search.twitter.

There was an amazing amount of information there, and just like on Google, I had to sift through a lot of irrelevant info, but this got me thinking about two things. Most twitterers and some marketers are already aware that the market research capabilities of Twitter are just amazing. I mean, what service is better set up to gather the simplest thoughts people have about your company or product? Name one. I dare you.

Now, knowing as we all do that Twitter has yet to turn a profit (or earn any money if I recall correctly), why is it that they have not just closed off Twitter search and turned it into a pay service for marketers and companies concerned with their social media presence?

Okay, Twitter, here’s your business plan… Continue to let people use real-time searches like Tweetdeck search, Tweetgrid, Twitterfall, etc, but charge people for historical tweets and just make it clear in the TOS that no one else is allowed to sell the historical data. How’s that?

Does anyone think that would work? I mean, Twitter is an amazing tool, and the fact that (from the outside) they have no apparent business model is just baffling.

99 Total TweetBacks: (Tweet this post)
  • en: @adamlambert You should create a drinking game out of boring tweets, twits, twiddles, or your word. Although then you risk carsickness... 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @cspanwj Judging with empathy for one group is a detriment to others. Application of the law is not done by or with preference to one group 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: The 4th plinth is fascinating - in the way that a slow motion car crash or Big Brother is fascinating. What a pointless exercise..... 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Just got to class. Woke up a lot later than I wanted to. Still didn't get to go running or anything like that. I have to push harder. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: At Rally's (Or Checkers, depending on where you live) and I love their fries soooo much 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @kiamonie hi missy! How's ya morning?? What fab hairstyle do you have now or did you catch the janet yacky bug!! Lol 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Apparently the universe wants me to buy an iPhone and use Twitter 24x7. Everything I look at lately has an iPhone and/or Twitter plug-in... 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: When life shits on you, you gonna complain about the smell or plant flowers? Frankly, I got a beautiful rose garden. What do you got? 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @iranfreelection The proof has been concisely explained by the Interior Mins, you are the delude one, put up or shutup. #iranelection 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: My horoscope has my back....it says I am creative. Its like it knows me or something! Astrology you rock 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: I was right when I said, all those years ago, that I would never be the same: never more appreciated or appreciative. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: High electric current, or the easy flow? 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @AllysonAlfonso or ur husband isnt wat u have fantasised bout oh ok i want the machine to just go through the present not future now lol 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: I'm almost ready to give in and let my social media-crazed husband teach me a thing or two about Twitter. Almost. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • : believe it or not? 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: goood moorning AMERICA!!......... WAIT or should i say EL SALVADOR!!? HAHA :) 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Ok who got da breakfast goin y'all no wut time it is 9 o clock kitchen raid and I don't want no dam ego waffles or cereal give me real shit 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: fun to be participated for national future... or we can say NYOBLOS 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: RT @GBizzo: At 12hr 34 min 56 sec July 8, time & date will be 12:34:56 07/08/09 OR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - once in lifetime! (via @nwjerseyliz) 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Are PR awards good for business or good for egos? 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: #teaparty #hhrs #tcot #hhrs lets organize a tcot meetup in NYC or NJ, probably for fall! DM 2 get on mailing list. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Working on in-box 0 and creative stuff, skype or DM if you need me http://ff.im/4Xhqm 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: I'm contemplating driving to Safeway for some cranberry juice. Yay or nay? 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @BubbaRockz OMG that would be totally awesome if it was!! some 'facetime' or computer time!! 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: watching im a celebrity get me out of here.ive been waiting for this like,2 or 3 weeks ago. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: need the sunbed again i cant find the energy or the money haha!skint till pay day!! 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Cutting down on musical gear. no money left for it. or at all 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @PiaVeleno I try to only use hashtags ironically or just to be a pain. Memes can suck it! #suckit 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @lilduval i hope u don't really mean tht (jumpin out the window)... Unless u jokin or smthn 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @Tweetdeck or other clients...please add a timer for updates! 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: trying Seesmic out for the 1st time. what app for Twitter, Facebook and/or Linkedin do you use? 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: the iced coffee is either too strong or non-existent, as i am wavering like crazy here... 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @sharonlangridge hmmm auto or manual? 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @OldNEJewelers ... any Xemex Concepts or 5000's in stock by chance? ..... 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @ARSnow Uhmmm...I have that day off, but I'm not sure if I'm already hanging out with Ashley or not...I'll call her and let you know. :D 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: If you could have any features for your iPhone case what would they be? Leather, silicone, belt clip or pouch? We'll get on it. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Portland, OR #Job: Event sales http://tinyurl.com/lc2k55 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Michael Jackson's children will be fine; The Jacksons are a close family, kinda like the Hampton's (my family).come hell or high water 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: lol,tip smone gave as solution to low wifi signal-"ur house i nt suitable & disturbs wifi signals.Move to another house,or replace the house 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: RT @BRMST: yeaahhh..I'm the next cameron d....or Farah fawcet..... http://myloc.me/8vGD 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Inspire someone to be better and do better today at work or home, encourage them....you may be the catalyst to something exciting for them. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: You don't have to live with back or neck pain! Take the first step toward finding relief! http://ow.ly/gG5g 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @gschan You could trash the people.sql and/or people.xml files in your user folder. Since you have a lot of friends, it might take a while. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: @bostonmarketer Sounds like you have a rogue plugin, or TinyMCE is corrupted. Last resort would be to reinstall WP. 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: Having a cup (or two) of some Joe...Busy day ahead. Going to tackle some social media tasks. Wish me luck! 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: 71% of global CMOs reported marketing budgets in 2009 are lower than 2008 budgets, and 51% reported cuts of 20% or more (Forrester Research) 07/08/09 01:06pm
  • en: YOUR MY CHOCOLATE....NO MATTER IF YOUR BLACK OR WHITE!!!!! 8'D 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: RT @MYLead_2009 Still have tickets left ($22)for the Detroit Tigers game on 8/5. Check www.mylead.org or e-mail greg@mylead.org for tix info 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart.Deut4:9 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Thanks american airlines for no coffee or tea on a 6am flight! 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Not happy my iphone doesn't send picture messages...or receive them, wish I would've known... 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @prettylily8282 this I know too but he would much rather hunt his mother or children since they were his life :( I miss the guy :( 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: BMC chief Jairaj Pathak needs to be removed, hes incompetant & cannot handle crisis or is least serious abt impeding disasters 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: RT @Hawkbow: Still taking on sponsors 4 2010 filming season. excellent advertising possibilities worldwide.contact @bobredhawk..or @Hawkbow 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Off to convince my bank that I'm still a viable option. Or something like that. Like begging! Haha....another rainy day. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: off to buy a freezer...does anyone think my wife might notice if I come back with a new tv or computer instead? 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: MBA: Should I stay or should I go? 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @postteen #spinaltap "The droo-ids. No one knew 'oo they were, or what they were doin'. And how they did dance..." 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: has decided to leave the country or fake her own death- too, too much to do... and no time to do it! 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: So much to do right now. To tweet, or not to tweet: that is the question. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @VampfanAsh Until @twitter brings back our #EVERYONEbutton access PT @ http://twitter.com/public_timeline or link in btm of Settings. :) 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: i'm so fucking bored and i have no clue what to do. I'd like to do something because it feels i'm just sitting or sleeping all the time 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: (or, I suppose, someone could unfollow me hehe) 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • Venkatesan: Nair (or Nayar) 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @david_n_wilson take a look at the panasonic hdc-sd100. for software, are you mac or pc? i can get a recommendation for you. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Do you want lots of followers or do you want a more select bunch who actually reads what you take the time to write #twitterdummy 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: is packing for another trip out of town this weekend. Let's hope the launch isn't scrubbed at the last minute or it will all be for not! 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @carrie713 you need to walk with braces on your feet at night or something, that way they make it out in one pieve 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @prettyboiicudi lmao nope sometimes I stick my foot out the window and I still get the craziest stares and no I don't have facebook or a ... 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @shakesp to shake or not to shake? that's the shakestion. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Hmmmm.... iPhone isn't sending or receiving texts. Laaaame. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: is asking twitter to make my account verfied. im willing to be the tester for any experiment. or new things that twitter comes out with 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @splurgio285 I vote that the 3am elevated temp or 4am general body weakness is the worst part of ems. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: On the hunt for Political Graffiti Artists in London or Montreal. Can anyone help?! 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Its about time I make a change but none of my options are good enough. Or maybe they just seem that way at the moment... 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Bantam launches boat guard: MORRIS 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @One4TheBooks I asked the followers yesterday whether we should take a rest and campaign later or sprint past everyone now & chill out later 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Another great show for POP-ROCKTIC! at The Embassy Club last night. Thanks to everyone who performed or came down. Next show August 4th. JM 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Thinking of college tshirt designs for college recruitment. Any clever play on words or ideas? 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: FT or PT Optometrist - Milwaukee, WI (http://tinyurl.com/c4ow48) Get Optometry Jobs #Optometry #53132 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Lets pray everyday for Real Revival of the American Church. Like it or not, the American Church does not resemble the Biblical Church. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: cont..this is a band that prides them selfs for there sound..new acoustics maybe,or full moon, or...???????? 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: I don't know if I'm just way behind on finding this or what, but R.L. Burnside is my music of choice today. Awesome stuff. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @artrox that font you used on your background, is that a real font or did u create? (I'm obsessed I know lol but omg I loved it so much!!) 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @gracechareas http://twitpic.com/9oioh - *of, not or Sorry, I'm having a very Japanese week! Rofl. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: somebody gatta help me to find good movie or TV series..... i have on idea what shoud rent.. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: "The seeds that leave your hands never leave your life.They shall be measured back to you many times over in one way or another." 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: Personal Favorite rightt now I think is Brown Eyes, I Like It Rough, or Paparazzi 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @halr9000 - the new OS or the web-browser? :-p 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @fukumimi As a guy, one shudders at the mention of shrinkage. Marketwise do you mean disruptive co.'s or monopolists? Hope you're well Shin! 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: They rip you off big style! No customer skills or communicati... #Drain_care_24hr #sucks http://tinyurl.com/mhe723 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @liveloverockouT aww babe, that sucks. Don't you hate those days? Tomorrow better be a better day, or I refuse to leave my bed. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: ARGH SOMEONE GIVE ME A JOB FOR EDINBURGH. I just want something boring and paperworky. In exchange for bed or min wage. 07/08/09 01:05pm
  • en: @Singledoutjdan well a chromosome or two but it still looks good and that's what matters!!! 07/07/09 10:18pm
  • en: decisions, decisions - pedicure and MSNBC or an Irish Bar? 07/07/09 10:18pm
  • en: need to get ready to go to 'rice & beans'. i don't know what the fuck that is. is that the name or is a description of it?! 07/07/09 10:18pm
  • en: Hey @ShaneDawson male or female??? (#ShaneDawson live > http://ustre.am/3Mr7) 07/07/09 10:18pm
  • en: @shortpump is this earthquake for real or just a rouse? Honestly? 07/07/09 10:18pm
  • en: Contemplating a little getaway in the fall. NY or London? 07/07/09 10:18pm

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  • Your comments remind me of many people I heard when talking about Google a few years ago. "If they are not charging anything, how will they stay in business?" I guess Google figured it out, they have not charged me anything yet and I have been using GMail, PicasaWeb (and Picasa) as well as several other services for quite some time.

    I would be surprised if there is not a reasonably solid plan in place at Twitter HQ, especially with the recent additional VC they recently received. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out.
  • Good point, Stephen. I would say though that Google didn't have to charge everyone... only certain people, just as I think Twitter should. There's no need for Twitter to charge the users since the users are providing a wealth of market research information. Instead, they can (somewhat like Google) get themselves cash flow positive by selling that info that is potentially highly valuable... Eh, who knows. As you said, I'm sure there is some plan.

    Thanks, Stephen :-)
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