What Are Social Networking Sites?
There are dozens of different social network sites on the Internet. Each one provides a different experience for the user and has a different purpose. A social network is a way for people to network with different people on the Internet. By creating a profile, a user can connect with people that might have a common interest or a common career. It makes communication between people so much easier. While there are so many, the three top ones that show the most promise are Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.
Facebook is the absolute biggest social network on the Internet with clear over 100 million members and growing rapidly. It started out as a place for Ivy League students to have profiles and talk to each other. However, it has since opened up to all the colleges and finally, to everyone. On Facebook, you can create a profile, upload pictures and videos, create fan pages and communicate with people throughout the site.
The big thing about Facebook is that it brings everything together into one place. You can post updates. You can have your website RSS feed post right to your Facebook wall. All in all, Facebook is the one place where everything can be brought together and incorporated into one smooth, cohesive unit. It’s because of this that there are so many millions of members. There’s a little something for everyone.
Twitter is a microblogging platform. Microblogging is creating very small blog entries that might, for the sake of Twitter at least, be only 140 characters long. The reason this is a social network is because people choose to follow you, you follow them and with shouts and direct messages, you are able to communicate with each other. This site has grown incredibly fast and there are millions of members on it.
Twitter has quickly become popular for average people to post news that is going on. During the Iranian Green Revolution in June of 2009, hundreds of Iranians posted Tweets about what was going on. During the Presidential elections in America, thousands of people got on Twitter and posted information and opinions. Twitter has quickly gained a reputation for having information even faster than traditional media.
LinkedIn is a social networking site that is used for professional purposes. When someone creates a profile there, they are looking to create a very professional and legitimate page for people to connect to them based on common interests. It doesn’t allow much customization like Facebook and there isn’t a whole lot of microblogging like Twitter. Instead, you post information about your job, your education and if you own any websites.
The hope with LinkedIn is for potential employers to check you out and research you. If they like what they see on your profile, they might send you a message. Or, if there is someone in the same field across the country, you can connect with them, collaborate and share ideas about different things. LinkedIn is a professional networking service for those that are into their work.
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