To understand the buzz around Ello Inc., consider why Jon Harney recently signed up for the social network.
Harney, an art director in New York, got an invitation to be part of Ello from a friend two months ago. He quickly registered after hearing that many of his artist and design buddies had also joined the service, which has no advertising. Those distinctions made Ello a counterpoint to Facebook Inc., the world’s largest social network, which shows promotions in users’ feeds and doesn’t require invitations.