Spotplex: An Automated Social News Aggregator Gets Some Updates

Recognize the name Spotplex? If not, no worries. It’s a title given to a startup that’s positioned as a news tracker of sorts specifically aimed at ranking new posts, pages, developments, etc., in the world of blogs. Simple enough, right? Okay.

So, you’re thinking, that’s cool, but what’s the reason for the site’s mention today? Well, dear Profy reader, it recently had itself a few updates, and we thought we’d be a right good messenger and bring you the news. And, of course, tell you how we (or, more specifically, I) feel about the whole operation. It’s only fitting that we do so, considering that, you know…that’s what we do.

Alright then, let’s jump right in. If you’re visiting Spotplex for the first time, you’re bound to think it something of a Digg or Reddit copycat. The slim menu bar at the top, the wide column with a series of stories, an ad here or there. Yeah, come on. It’s a total rip on the social news genre’s head honchos, right? Yes and no.

I say no for one specific reason: there’s no voting on Spotplex.

But wait, you ask, what’s with the visible view counts, then? They just for show, there to give visitors the impression of a busy venue?

No, no, they’re real. They’re present on the page to show people like you and I the option to see which new stories/posts that have cropped up around the blogosphere have stirred a good deal of interest. That way, you know, you don’t have to wade through all the disinteresting stuff. (Or something to that effect. You get the idea.)

On the whole, the entire setup of Spotplex is supposed to make your life as a consumer of virtual information as quick and comprehensive as possible – whilst requiring of you the least amount of input possible. Can’t argue with that, right?

Well, I’m not sure. As much as page views can be good general markers for what’s popular, what’s more popular, and what’s not popular, there are quite a few variables at play in addition to page visitorship that together paint a much more detailed, more accurate picture.

For example, sites like Digg require user intervention (clicking the ‘Digg’ button) to decide what is and what isn’t worth promoting. And such popular analysis done by way of a whole bunch of mouse clicks in addition to a visit to a linked page offers the general public a better grasp not just on what has attracted a lot of views, but what’s attracted a lot of views for good reason. Sure, in an ideal situation, page view counts are the easiest and most convenient way to gauge something’s value or importance in a setting where the popular reign supreme, but in the real world, a little extra collaborative effort on the part of a voter body does go a long way to sort out many discrepancies that inevitably arise.

Getting back to Spotplex, it’s certainly something worth a look if you’re seeking something a little different than what one experiences now at the most popular social news websites. Visually speaking, I can’t give many points to Spotplex’s makers, for the fact that it’s not very appealing in layout nor color coordination, even despite it apparently being an update of a previous iteration. But as far as being a basic utility, it isn’t a bad piece of kit. If you’re a Digg hater, you might well be a Spotplex lover. Try it out and see.

Hey, if nothing else, there’s a nifty Google Maps mash-up that let’s you track Spotplex items worldwide that might amuse you.

By the bye, if you think you could use some extra visitors to your blog (and, really, who doesn’t?) Spotplex offers you the option to add some code to your site to easily track – and perhaps increase – how your posts do on the aggregator. Could be a nifty aid for budding bloggers looking to expand their reader bases.

That wraps this up. Do let us know what you think of Spotplex in the comments below. We’d love to hear your impressions.

(FYI: If you’re interested to know Spotplex’s basic placement in the social news/social bookmarking market, check out this list we published back in mid May. Whether or not that information is still relevant…well, you decide.)