Skype – perhaps a social network yet to be considered?

Let’s consider Microsoft’s Skype should be counted as a social network. It fulfills many of the same functions that Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest etc.

You can set a status ‘mood’ message, you can text message, use it as a group chat system, you can share files, photos, your computer screen. Plus, you can talk with people plus video calls, and set up videoconferences with several people.

There’s a huge and active user base, more than 30 million people use it at any one time, and there’s close to 500 million user accounts. Skype has a payment system, and has a billing relationship with tens of millions of people who regularly top up their accounts to make overseas calls.

Used by many businesses as a communication tool. It is a good place to engage in business because Skype is a distraction-free environment, it’s well suited for work. No advertising, easy to use, privacy covered, and mostly free.

Perhaps Skype has the potential to be the dark horse in the social network platform battles.

What are your thoughts?