The term digital tribe is used as a slang term for an unofficial community of people who share a common interest, and usually who are loosely affiliated with each other through social media or other Internet mechanisms.

The main characteristics of digital tribes are:                                                                                  1. Tribal loyalty where this characteristic considers the strength of the tribe in terms of the loyalty of its members to each other or to an area of interest, as well as its longevity. For example, Digital Tribes formed around a sports team are likely to have a stronger and more sustainable bond than perhaps a tribe focused on restaurant guides. The stronger the tribe, the more likely that a digital model will be sustainable and capable of supporting a “pay” revenue model.                                                                                                       2. The tribal size where understanding the overall size of the tribe is important to evaluating revenue opportunities. Large tribes may suggest that a revenue model based on free content supported by advertising and based on volume may be appropriate.              3. Tribal wealth where the understanding is the wealthier the tribe the better as it can support an revenue model.

Examples of Digital Tribes on Facebook

 

 

How tribe members communicate with each other:

Apple employees and owners of iPhones, Macbooks, and iPads connect with each other as users of the company’s products, follow and enjoy the insights of the late Steve Jobs, and for the most part, buy into the idea that Mac products are the pinnacle of technological performance.