http://mathewingram.disqus.com/enMon, 30 Jul 2007 16:51:31 -0000http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2007/07/30/does-hyper-local-make-sense-online/#comment-1315375Thanks for the comment, Karl -- I think you're right.<br><br>In many ways, I don't think actual physical communities matter as much as we think they do -- shared interests (which may have to do with physical location or may not) are much more powerful.MathewMon, 30 Jul 2007 16:51:31 -0000http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2007/07/30/does-hyper-local-make-sense-online/#comment-1315376Howe's piece points to an important part of the puzzle - that building around communities of interest - while focusing locally - like CincyMOMS - brings real results.<br><br>What I've found with Philly Future is that it is easier to target smaller communities of interest within a geography, than entire geographical communities.<br><br>For example Philly Foods - Philly Sports - Philly Liberal Politics - all are potentially greater centers of community then a generalized Philadelphia community like Philly Future. <br><br>The more general your community effort is (to me news and community are synonymous) - the harder it is to gain traction.<br><br>Jeff Jarvis once said the web is about niches - he's right. Hyper local isn't a successful niche - it's just a strata to identify communities of interest - niches - within local geographies.KarlMon, 30 Jul 2007 14:41:21 -0000