While most of these social networking channels still maintain their top rank in the game, a new social networking site called Ello has been gaining some buzz recently.

Say hello to Ello!

Unlike most social networking sites that sell ads or user information to third party advertisers, Ello boasts as being completely ad-free with a strict ‘no-ad and no-data-mining’ policy. Better still, they give you the opportunity to opt out in sharing any information if requested.

Seems interesting right? But one has to wonder how the site will support itself in lieu of advertisers.

Ello’s answer to this is providing special features through a user pays system. As special features are introduced, users can add it to their account by paying a small fee which is then activated on their account forever.

This approach seemed odd to me at first, but when I though about it, it’s kind of like paying for an upgrade, or like buying another accessory to your camera like a lens that has a different function.

The way to join this social network is by invitation; you just need to go to their website, enter your email to request an invite and then wait for their response.

With this out of the box structure and security promise, can this social network rise against other social media giants out there? Only time will tell.

Yours in social networking,
Brio Team