Social network Multiply goes premium

Multiply, a social network that has done a fine job of flying under the radar since its 2005 launch, has announced a new paid-account program that focuses on media storage. Called a "digital scrapbook," this premium feature will cost $19.95 annually.

Members who opt in to the "digital scrapbook" program will be able to store high-resolution photos, as well as videos up to 20 minutes long. They will also be able to surf the site without ads.

Multiply has also launched a tool that automatically uploads photos and videos to a private "locker," from users can choose content to share with friends. All Multiply profiles are friends-only, as the site promotes an aim of friends-and-family communication and media sharing.

The site also has a more "adult" focus than many social networks; the average age of active users ranges from the upper 20s to mid-30s. "We've never tried to be the hip, cool nightclub," Vice President Michael Gersh said to CNET News.com.

Multiply hit the 9 million member mark recently and will likely hit 10 million in July, still paltry compared to the likes of Facebook and MySpace. But executives say touting huge growth numbers would be contrary to the site's aim of connections between family and close friends, not random strangers or even acquaintances. Its members, according to Multiply numbers, post 2 million photos, 19,000 videos, and 55,000 blog entries every day.

"It's much more organized and meaningful than some explosive megasite," Gersh said. "People are sticking around."

[scoobypop]

MULTIPLY MADE A BAD MOVE THERE......UNLESS this is a trend and www.zathlete.com changes? my account at zATHLETE I CAN PUT UP A HIGH DEF VIDEO IN ANY LENGTH OR PHOTOS ETC FOR NADA!!!

[dhersh00]

Just to clarify one point, Multiply profiles actually aren't "friends-only". In fact, one of Multiply's strengths is the flexibility of its privacy controls. Access isn't set at the profile level, it's set on a post by post basis. Users can make a post (photo album, blog, video, etc.) public, or limit it to the people in their network, their contacts (or a subset thereof), or even just to specific individuals.

Dave Hersh (co-founder, Multiply)

[scoobypop]

Dave- I think I'm confused which is normal!! Help me understand the difference, as looking at Z it seems to have all the entitlement. I can post a video to just me or my team or my friends or a coach it segment media anyway I want to present it. I can share it to who ever i choose. I can text to a team all at once or to an individual from my computer to a phone.

[scoobypop]

Dave- I think I'm confused which is normal!! Help me understand the difference, as looking at Z it seems to have all the entitlement. I can post a video to just me or my team or my friends or a coach it segment media anyway I want to present it. I can share it to who ever i choose. I can text to a team all at once or to an individual from my computer to a phone. .......

[dhersh00]

Hi Scooby - Unfortunately, I'm not familiar with Z, but after a quick perusal of the site its obvious that Z is focussed on the rec sports market. Multiply, on the other hand, is a more general site for friends and family to share and discuss personal content with each other. You could use the Groups functionality within Multiply to accomplish many of the same things, but if you need lots of functionality specific to rec sports Z would be more appropriate.

Also, I did a little test and Z doesn't provide you any access to your hi-res photos or videos. Only the versions formatted for the web. Multiply gives free users access to hi-res for 30 days, and premium users get access forever.

[scoobypop]

ahh so its storage vs a stream. I see. they have many NCAA teams and PRO players as well. I like that family function idea thx