Social Network Friend Rankings

A look at how public friend rankings evolved from blog rolls to MySpace's Top 8, and how this concept could be reimagined for modern social networks.

Evolution of Public Friend Rankings

• Started with blog rolls

  • Blogs would list 8 similar blogs on sidebar
  • Used for content discovery
  • Led to Link Exchange by Tony Hsieh
    • Grew to $400M acquisition
    • Monetized blog roll placement
    • Became pay-to-play system

• MySpace Top 8

  • Users ranked their 8 closest friends publicly
  • Tom (MySpace founder) was automatic #1 friend
  • Created social dynamics
    • Felt good to be in someone's Top 8
    • Felt bad to be removed
    • Could signal relationships (e.g., dating)
  • Provided clear social standing indicators

Modern Viral Growth Potential

• Proposed "My 9" concept
  • Users select their top 9 contacts
  • Share rankings on Instagram/TikTok
  • Notification system
    • Text alerts when added to someone's 9
    • "Someone put you in their My 9 - see who?"
  • Built-in viral loop
    • Each user invites 9 others
    • Even 15% conversion rate ensures viral growth
    • Expected 40% conversion rate
    • K-factor would be over 1 (viral)

Key Psychology Triggers

• Need to know who ranked you
• Reciprocity in ranking others back
• Fun personality quiz element
• Social validation
• FOMO (Fear of Missing Out)