ReadWriteEnterprise

When you have enough companies trying to ride the viral invite/closed beta wave with closed betas for a business to specialize in viral invites, it's time to pull the plug. Artificial (or real) scarcity imposed by marketing as a promotional gimmick is no reason to spam your friends, folks.

This morning I reached my personal tipping point for the viral invite gimmick. I was already well poised to boil over after the U.S. launch of Spotify, but this morning another service (that I won't encourage by providing a link or name) put me over the edge. Not only is it another bogus "invite only" closed beta, but the company promises faster access if you offer up email addresses for at least three friends.