Arabnet Arabnet

Online debating platform Naqeshny recently released a number of new features including corporate accounts, “Speak your mind”, in addition to Facebook and Twitter integration. The service, which originally launched approximately two months ago, is a debate focused platform that connects people based on their opinions rather than friendship utilizing a clever color coding system to group users with similar mentalities. Now with the addition of the new features the service is verging closer to a traditional social network. 

Corporate accounts are aimed at giving companies presence in the system. Users can post issues and questions and interact on the company’s page, and follow the account to stay updated.

"Speak You Mind is similar to status updates" according to Chief Communications Officer Kareen Edward. The feature allows users to publicly post their thoughts and opinions on a regular basis, and allows new debates to be constructed without the need to “challenge” others to a debate.

Finally, Naqeshny now allows users to connect through Facebook and Twitter to invite friends or followers to join, or locate and track friends that are Naqeshny users.

Two months after launch, the service has around 5000 users, consisting mostly of Middle East dwellers and Egyptians, and users as far as China. Popular topics initially revolved around the Arab Spring and politics, but more recently the topics are more diversified and include various topics such as sports, religion and ethical issues.