Understanding the Functionality of Classmates.com

In 1995, long before the term 'online social network' became common and years prior to the dot-com bubble that led to the emergence of 'Web 2.0,' Randy Conrad, a Boeing engineer, invented a groundbreaking website. Conrad had attended high school in the Philippines, continued his education in the United States, and joined Boeing after graduation. As the World Wide Web grew, Conrad came up with an idea.

Conrad’s goal was to reconnect with a high school friend, but despite the global reach of the internet, he couldn’t find them. He teamed up with his son to devise a simpler way to reconnect with old friends and classmates. This endeavor ultimately resulted in Classmates.com, the first major social networking platform on the internet [source: Kaiser].

Currently, the website attracts over 16 million visitors each month [source: Compete]. Although platforms like Facebook and MySpace boast far larger user bases, the original online social network continues to bring in new users.

Classmates.com sets itself apart from other online social networks by offering a range of features that are only accessible to premium members. To unlock the full experience on Classmates.com, users must purchase a Gold membership, with the cost varying depending on the duration of the subscription. Shorter-term plans are typically more expensive per month.

This business model gives Classmates.com a clear financial strategy, unlike some other social networks that have struggled in this regard. However, it has sparked some controversy. We'll explore the features available on Classmates.com and examine why certain aspects of its marketing approach have been met with criticism.

Using Classmates.com

Creating a basic profile on Classmates.com is free of charge. To set up a profile, users simply visit the website, choose their school, and select the appropriate state, city, and institution if they are based in the U.S. This leads to a membership form for further registration.

To sign up for Classmates.com, you'll need to provide your name, graduation year, birthday, and email address, along with creating a password. After completing these details, you’ll be prompted to choose a membership package. The cost of the package varies, with longer subscription terms offering lower monthly rates.

If you prefer not to purchase a membership, you can still create a free profile and continue using the site. The platform will guide you through the process of building your profile, including uploading a photo, writing a brief summary of your post-graduation life, and inviting others to join. You will also have the option to join MyPoints, a program that allows users to exchange accumulated points for products.

Once your profile is set up, you can expand it by adding more details about your school days, current occupation, and personal interests. You’ll also be able to see which of your former classmates are on the platform or enjoy taking fun quizzes.

The primary reason to use Classmates.com is to reconnect with former classmates. The site features a search engine that helps you find people who attended the same school as you. You can filter the search by your graduation year and view other members' profiles. However, without upgrading to a Gold membership, you may not be able to explore further.

Advantages of Classmates.com

A basic Classmates.com account allows access to a limited range of features. You can create and personalize your profile as you like, view other users’ profiles, and join discussions in group message boards. However, beyond that, your available options are quite restricted.

To unlock the ability to send private messages to other members, you’ll need to upgrade to a Gold membership. To post a message on someone’s public bulletin board, at least one of you must have a Gold membership. With a free account, you can mark your location on a map, but you will need to pay for a membership to see other users' locations.

Gold membership also provides event planning tools that allow you to create invitations for reunions and other gatherings. Additionally, you'll be able to see the names and messages of people who have visited your profile. A Gold membership also gives you the ability to create a private photo album and a message board.

The membership model on Classmates.com is quite similar to those of online dating services, where basic features are often free but communication requires a paid membership. Unlike most other social networks, where messaging is available to everyone, dating platforms often require users to pay before they can interact with others.

By upgrading to a full membership, you gain full access to all features, such as messaging other members and organizing events. However, your experience may be limited depending on the membership status of others you try to contact. Some users may create profiles but not upgrade, which could restrict your ability to fully engage.

Although the pay-to-access feature model may frustrate some users, this is only one of the many complaints about Classmates.com that have been voiced.

Complaints About Classmates.com

A frequent complaint against Classmates.com relates to its email marketing practices. The company sends promotional emails encouraging people to join the platform. While some dismiss these messages as spam, others find them to be intrusive and deceptive.

This was the experience of Anthony Michaels, who received an email from Classmates.com claiming that high school friends were trying to find him. Prompted by the message, he upgraded to a Gold membership. However, he was disappointed to find that no one had been searching for him. In 2008, he filed a lawsuit against the company for false advertising [source: Singel].

Billing issues are another major complaint surrounding Classmates.com. Some users have reported that they unknowingly signed up for a trial account only to be later charged for a full membership. The site also automatically renewed subscriptions, charging users even after they tried to cancel their accounts on multiple occasions [source: Raphael].

If you encounter an issue with Classmates.com, getting in touch with someone who can assist you might prove challenging. If you navigate through the links to the Classmates Media Corporation website, you will find a contact page. This page offers an online form where you can submit your name, email, phone number, and message. However, locating a phone number is not as straightforward.

Though Classmates.com had previously received low ratings from the Better Business Bureau, by August 2009, it had earned an A+ rating. This suggests the site has improved its response time and effectiveness in addressing customer concerns. This is positive news for users of Classmates.com. However, with platforms like Facebook and MySpace gaining popularity, it raises the question: how many users are still willing to pay for the privilege of messaging an old acquaintance?

Classmates.com can be credited with pioneering the online social networking model. Even though some may view its business approach as outdated, the platform has played a key role in reconnecting long-lost friends.