In an effort to get the party started, social network upstart Pheed is courting current fans of well-established social icons like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. Launched last week, Pheed already boasts over a million new users. It is the brainchild of Pheed co-founder and CEO O.D. Kobo who perceived a social network that incorporated the best of the more established networks and without some of their less popular features to create what Kobo describes as a social site that combines significance with simplicity.
The platform features a social timeline reminiscent of popular networks, along with a trending system that highlights topics driven by user activity. Members can seamlessly upload and share media such as images, videos, audio files, and live streams directly within their posts. In addition, creators can label their channels with audience suitability ratings, helping viewers understand the nature of the content. For instance, posts may be marked as PG-13 for broader audiences or designated as mature content when appropriate.
Pheed also injected a revenue stream that allows users to pay a monthly subscription fee to sell premium content. Subscription pricing is offered at multiple levels, ranging from $1.99 up to $34.99 per month, with an additional pay-per-view option available within the same price range. Content creators receive half of the revenue generated, reinforcing Kobo’s philosophy that users should be empowered to earn from their work. This monetization approach allows creators to set fees for exclusive experiences, such as live music performances, similar to charging admission for an event. Kobo views this creator-focused revenue model as a forward-thinking approach and believes it represents the next evolution of social platforms like Pheed.
