NING communities work because people want to be there, and NING understands that you want to keep your presence customizable (like in MySpace). Just as people have moved to the suburbs to escape the cities and be among those with shared interests, so with NING usher in a gated community of member's only niche social networks. Good fences make good neighbors.

Ning is overlooked quite a bit, if not forgotten or unknown, but it has a very strong presence when looking to target specific topics with engagement from a very specific group. I've used it as a test market for various products, and closed conversations with patient groups and their doctors. Nothing too personal was shared if they didn't want to share it, but it's like a virtual support group for what we use it for.

I see many networks out there being ignored simply because they don't get the press or have the “WOW” factor that perhaps others do, but the key to all this is knowing where the conversation is and sometimes it's in the places where you least expect.

you write “Consumers looking to join discussions can simply use the search box ” THERE IS NO SEARCH BOX, that website is NOT intuitive, the only thing you can do is create another group. it doesnt even look good. Besides it is not really doing anything better than Facebook is doing now and who really needs another social networking website? all of those people that are in my Ning networks are also on my facebook groups..no..stop the hype.

Happy Holidays!