Influx

To date, social networks been defined by the brand giants, MySpace and Facebook; consumer focused offerings that take a one size that fits all approach.

It now looks as if the social network is reaching a new level of maturity, judging from developments in the past week.

Three new trends seem likely:

1. Companies and Media Take Control of Their Social Networks

Last week, Cisco acquired Tribe, so it now has the capability to help its corporate clients develop their own social networks.

USA Today re-designs its site and adds a social network

2. Vertical Business-to-Business Opportunities Emerge

Reuters announced the launch a financially focused social network for analysts and traders.

3. Social Networks Splinter into The Long Tail

Finally, the latest incarnation of Ning emerged.The site allows people to create their own social networks based around any topic they desire.

The social network has just graduated; its just been uncoupled from its ties with the brands that developed the idea, so we should now expect to see it form a component of many of our experiences on the internet.