Exploring user-producer interaction in an online community : The case of Habbo Hotel

This article attempts to explore the user-producer interaction in the online community of Habbo Hotel. Based on desk research, interviews, an online survey among more than 3000 Habbo Hotel users in The Netherlands and online discussion groups with 45 Habbos, three specific issues that illustrate the interactions between the users and producers are highlighted. First, different levels of user-generated content in Habbo Hotel will be discussed. Second, the communication between the users and producers will be analysed and, finally, the matter of online safety will be reviewed. Copyright © 2009, Inderscience Publishers.