Back Again From CherryTap

Posted by Angie Rayfield Jun 9, 2007

When I first heard about CherryTap, I knew it was something I had to write about – what seemed to be a new twist on the social networking site, aimed at adults. But browsing around the site or reading articles and press releases just wouldn’t answer my questions, so it was membership time.

After two months, I guess it’s time to admit it. I’m not on the site for research, or because I want to write about it. I’m sticking around because the site is fun, plain and simple.

Browsing profiles is easier than any of the other social sites I’ve tried out – in fact, unless you’re searching out a specific person or want to limit your search to a certain area, you don’t have to make any effort at all. Between the continuous scroll of online members at the top of the screen, and the featured “cherry blast” members, CT will essentially bring profiles to you. And in a nice change from other sites, you can see who has been looking at your profile!

A few weeks ago, CherryTap added a new feature that makes it even easier for new members to start making connections – a little mini-message to all members on line that a new member has joined, or in CT parlance, that they’ve entered the bar. Think of the way that everyone on Cheers yelled, “Hey, Norm” when he walked in. CherryTap makes it easy for everyone to welcome the new folks into the groove.

I’ve recently become addicted to the MUMMs, shorthand for Make Up My Mind. Members who reach a certain point level can post questions and ask for opinions from other members. Most of them are pretty frothy, low-stress questions, admittedly. For instance, I’ve seen someone ask whether they should fix pizza or macaroni and cheese for dinner. After voicing my opinion a few dozen times, I decided to jump in with a question of my end – do you insist on micro-brew craft beers, or will any beer do as long as it’s cold? (Just make sure it’s cold won by a small margin.)

My favorite part of CherryTap probably still has to be the fact that it is definitely aimed at adults. Forget the high school angst here. Like any community, there’s drama to be found if that’s what you want, but even the drama seems to generally be low-key and mostly in fun.

And while the conversation – and sometimes the photos – are considerably more adult than many sites, the founders do a great job of keeping it from getting out of line. The occasional risque comment or picture aren’t unknown, but the rules about “not safe for work” material are definitely enforced. This isn’t some low-rent porn site posing as networking.

And when I say the founders take this seriously, I mean they personally take it seriously. They also have public profiles on the site, and in my wanderings around, I’ve noticed them showing up all over the place – viewing profiles, posting bulletins, sometimes commenting or sending messages. They’re actually interacting with members, not just a “Tom is your friend” experience.

So, my membership as a research project is over – but my membership to hang out and enjoy it is just beginning!