Love it. Or hate it. Fact remains that American Idol is one of the networks hottest shows week-in and week-out.

I’m in the category that “loves it.” Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson are still my favorite Idols of all time. And this year? I’m a huge fan of Lee DeWyze. I love to sing, and thus I adore a reality show based around it.

But enough about the actual show. Social Media is like American Idol.

Here are my Top 6 Reasons Why:

• Millions “show up” to audition. Thousands of people audition for American Idol. And from the Facebook Press Room: There are more than 400 million users. On American Idol and Social Media, everyone has the chance in the beginning to “show up and show what they’ve got.” The barrier-to-entry is fairly low.


• Got personality? Contestants are not only judged on vocals, but on personality as well. Simon stated on American Idol last night something to the effect of, “At this point in the game, personality becomes huge. It will play a huge role in whether or not you stay.” And Social Media typically plays by these same rules: Boring people with no personality just typically don’t survive.


• Love/Hate. But more Love than Hate. Simon is funny. Simon is literal. Simon tells the story like he sees it. Simon gets to the point. We love Simon some nights. We hate Simon some nights. Often times, we have these random and mixed emotions with Social Media. I’m a huge Country Girl. And for those of you who are Country Fans, think about your Twitter Relationship with Blake Shelton. But no matter what, at the end of the day there is definitely more love than hate.


• Fans Reveal All. Each Wednesday night is the American Idol Results night. The contestant who received the lowest number of votes gets the boot. America chooses who stays and who leaves. People choose which sites they will be a part of and which sites they will invest their time and energy into. If you’re like the American Idol contestant who “didn’t meet expectations,” then don’t expect to keep your own fan base.


• Enter the “Unknown.” American Idol has introduced 2 new Judges since the show began. A couple of years ago it was Kara DioGuardi. This year it’s Ellen DeGeneres. There has been a lot of speculation on how the “new personalities” fit in. Personally, I love them both. I think there is just a “warming up” period. And likewise, there are constantly new Social Media sites entering the marketplace. For the early-adopters and Social Media “geeks” like myself, we most definitely “warm up” at a much faster pace. But for everyone else, it’s typically just a matter of time before they, too, see the benefits and get equally addicted.


• Consistency. Crystal Bowersox has continued to stay consistent and impressive. The judges mention they love her consistency. A consistency that, of course, rocks. Keeping this same consistency in Social Media is admirable. People and brands that keep a consistent message with a consistent online presence typically are those who equally rock. Portraying these qualities confirms that, like Bowersox, you are there to play and there to stay.


There is one reason that stands out to me that Social Media is NOT like American Idol: Contests are no longer able to engage via their own Social Media Sites. The Goal of Social Media is to engage. It’s to share valuable content. It’s to spread the information you know, like and care about. Social Media seeks to be just that – SOCIAL via MEDIA. And unfortunately, according to The Wall Street Journal, American Idol Contestants are no longer able to have their Individual Social Media Pages active during the show. This clearly breaks apart Social Media from American Idol. An “American Idol” to me is someone that America falls in love with because of their voice and because they have shown personality, engagement and perhaps a “rockstar” appeal. But how am I supposed to figure that out if the only “interaction” I have with them and get from them is through the American Idol site? I’m not sure how I feel about this yet. So tell me….what are your thoughts on it?