Do you use these social sharing buttons? Or do they just add to the clutter?

We’ve all seen them – the buttons at the bottom of web pages and news posts encouraging us to “Like”, “Tweet” or “+1”.

Or maybe you haven’t noticed them? I guess that’s the point.

I’ve just read an article where the author makes the following points:

  1. If I already use a specific social network – I already know about it. There’s no need to beat me over the head with it.
  2. If I don’t use that network already the button will be meaningless. Why take up space on your web page advertising it to me?

There or other concerns as well – but an interesting one is that clicking the “Like” Facebook button doesn’t actually Like your Facebook Page (which is probably what you want) – it just likes that particular page or post from your website. It doesn’t actually help you keep that person up-to-date via Facebook in the future.

A comment from the article:

“We removed FB buttons and traffic from Facebook increased. Reason: instead of ‘liking’ articles, readers share it on their timeline.” —@smashingmag

I used to have such buttons at the bottom of this website. On second thoughts, not any more.

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