Do you want to build a community where users search or hang? (2021)
This piece offers a compelling framework for understanding developer communities, categorizing them as either "Facebook" (for hanging out) or "Google" (for finding quick answers). It highlights that effective community building requires recognizing these distinct goals and tailoring strategies accordingly. The article is popular on HN because it provides a practical, nuanced lens through which to view and optimize community engagement.
The Lowdown
The article by Dan Moore explores the fundamental differences in online communities, proposing a dichotomy between "Facebook" (hang out) and "Google" (search/answer) models. This distinction is crucial for organizations, especially those in the developer space, aiming to build effective communities that truly serve their users' needs. Moore argues that not all communities are created equal and understanding their core purpose is the first step towards successful development.
- Community Archetypes: Communities are categorized into "Facebook-like" where users "hang out" and build relationships, and "Google-like" where users primarily "search" for answers and then leave.
- Illustrative Examples: Rands Engineering Slack or the Ruby community serve as "Facebook" examples, while StackOverflow or Elasticsearch forums typify the "Google" model.
- Influencing Factors: The article details several elements that push a community towards one type or the other, including the self-contained nature of the technology, presence of real-life events, open-source status, frequency of software interaction, community size, and its longevity.
- Strategic Ramifications: For "Google" communities, the focus should be on efficient problem-solving through robust documentation and Q&A. For "Facebook" communities, fostering deeper connections via meetups and member profiles is paramount.
- Hybrid Models: While most communities lean one way, some, like StackOverflow with its "Meta" site, demonstrate that a community can successfully integrate both "hang out" and "search" aspects.
- Building Trust: A foundational principle for any community, regardless of type, is to help users effectively, which in turn builds trust and lays the groundwork for deeper engagement.
Ultimately, the piece advises community builders to clearly understand which type of community they can realistically achieve and then align their strategies to best support that primary user intent, recognizing that building a vibrant "hang out" community is often more challenging but potentially more valuable.