How many times has this happened to you? You find a good – and oftentimes free – network, platform, app or API to grow your online and social media footprint. You’ve configured the code, structured the strategy, uploaded content, and loads of it no less. You are in seamless cruise control – building community, engaging target audiences, positioning the brand, increasing interaction and inbound inquiries. Then, the dreaded “service is shutting down” announcement. In this installment of Good Apps Gone, gather your goodbyes for Twitpic and hustle to export your data and photos. You can read the official announcement here.
Launched in 2008, Twitpic has been a favorite photo hosting service for many users and at one time the only way to share photos on Twitter. Due to a trademark spat with Twitter, in September 2014, the service announced it was shutting down. Then, an about face and an announcement of an investor lifeline. Not so fast, a Twitpic backtrack, no investor, no lifeline – the service would cease to exist October 25. In Twitpic is Dead – This Time, For Real, Entrepreneur.com writer Catherine Clifford has the twists and turns of an interesting back-story.
Many will miss Twitpic; although, I somewhat checked out three years ago when they altered their photo distribution terms of use, which is a pet peeve with many services today. However, Twitpic’s demise serves up a very important reminder not to rely solely on third party apps to store your digital assets. In a previous installment of Good Apps Gone, you’ll find a few tips to minimize the impact of an app loss. Read them here.
Rest in cyber peace, Twitpic. It was somewhat good for a while.
Do you have a favorite app that’s gone, but not forgotten? Do you have suggestions on how to minimize the impact of a loss? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments section of this post.
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GB O’Brien
LGK