Social Networks, what are they?

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Social media are websites and applications that are designed to allow people to share content quickly, efficiently, and in real time. While many people access social media through smartphone apps, this communication tool began with computers. So, what is social media? Social media can refer to any Internet communication tool that allows users to share content widely and interact with the public.

The ability to share photos, opinions, and events in real time has transformed the way we live and the way we do business. Here are the basics of understanding social media and how it can be used to help promote your business.

What are Social Networks?
Social media is any digital tool that allows users to quickly create and share content with a community or audience. Social media encompasses a wide range of websites and applications. Some, like Twitter, specialize in sharing links and short written messages. Others, like Instagram and TikTok, are designed to optimize the sharing of photos and videos.

TikTok

What makes social media unique is that it is broad and relatively uncensored. While many social media companies impose some limitations, such as removing images that depict violence or nudity, there are far fewer limitations chiropractor email list on what someone can share than other forms of mass communication, such as newspapers, radio stations and television channels.

Anyone with internet access can sign up for a social media account. They can use that account to share whatever content they choose, and the content they share reaches anyone who visits their page or profile.

The use of hashtags on social media groups content by topic, allowing users to connect with strangers who share content related to a topic of interest.

How do social networks work?
Since social media covers many different types of websites and apps, the function of these tools also varies. However, most social media networks start with a user creating a profile, usually by providing a name and email address.

Once a profile has been created, users can create and share content. For example, an Instagram user with a new account can take a photo and share it on their profile with a caption. In addition to creating content for their profile, social media users can find other users whose content they want to follow or comment on. Depending on the type of social media, a user can "follow" another user, add them as a "friend," or can "subscribe" to another user's page.

Social media often use "feeds" that allow users to scroll through content. Social media companies use algorithms, based on a user's profile data, to determine what content appears and the order in which it appears. The feed will include content from "followed" users as well as from entities that pay to promote their content.

Types of Social Networks
There are many different types of social networks, and many services could fit into multiple categories. Here are some of the main types, along with some examples.

Social Networks

Social networks specialize in connecting and exchanging thoughts, ideas, and content with other users, often with users who share similar tastes and interests. Facebook and Twitter are examples of social networks. Additionally, although it is more professional than others, LinkedIn is also considered a social network.

facebook-interaction

Media Networks

Unlike social networks, which specialize in allowing users to share and exchange thoughts, ideas, and opinions, media networks specialize in distributing content such as photographs and videos. Instagram and YouTube are examples of this. A YouTube user, for example, will upload a video they have created, and other users can click “like,” “dislike,” or comment on the video. If they enjoy the video enough, a user can choose to “subscribe” to the creator, so that new videos from that creator appear in their feed.

Discussion Networks

Discussion networks like Reddit are the ideal medium for posts that can spark in-depth discussion among users. Users can leave detailed responses in the comments section, and other users can respond directly to those comments, allowing conversations to grow and develop organically.

Blogging sites like WordPress can also fall into the discussion network category, although some would consider blogging its own type of social networking.

Review Networks

“Review” networks like Yelp and TripAdvisor add social media aspects to user reviews of products and services. Users can interact directly with