Considering The Types Of Social Media Sites
The sorts and types of social media sites are focused on creating venues for users around the world to connect with each other to fulfill various purposes. What makes social media sites special is that they are premised on subscribers or “users” producing content for the sites. Thus, social media sites all have particular limitations on what users can do and place certain types of content restrictions, but the sites themselves would be nothing without user interactivity. This is distinct from a more standard type of website, which can serve it’s purpose merely be existing and providing a type of content without a degree of interactivity. There are various types of social media sites that have developed over time
1) 1) Blogs are one tool used by people to get their ideas to reach the rest of the world. Blogs are offered by virtually all of the major media outlets and are typically free, requiring payment only for those that request a high-degree of customization. In the past, individuals may have kept diaries, but hoped they could share their thoughts with others and receive feedback, but that was largely imposed since the network did not exist to share ideas. Thus, outside of publishing in newspapers or writing books, the venue to share one’s ideas with others did not exist. Blogging, by comparison, allows a person to “write” on the internet – one’s voice can be shared with billions.
2) Digital content multimedia sites like Youtube allow users to produce and submit content that is entirely original. The content can be almost anything. This content can reach users all around the world and is fascinating because of the impact that some of this content has had on the world. For example, during the recent presidential election in Iran, there were massive protests (in the hundreds of thousands) that took place afterward, and no one would have seen them had these types of social media websites not existed. These protests were then supported by various people in countries all around the world.
3) Some sites provide assistance in finding romance. These websites are unique in that they facilitate a conversation and connection between one user and another based on preferences. It is akin to being in a singles bar and having one of the people highlighted for a user that would be the likeliest person to have an easy connection with.
4) Professional networking sites are another example of social media sites that have a lot of value and importance. Professional contacts are needed in a world in which entrepreneurship is becoming ever more frequent, which means that small businesses are constantly on the hunt for qualified people. Websites like LinkedIn help to facilitate the creation of that type of professional network.
5) Web “forums” are another form of social media (albeit basic) that allow users from different areas to connect with one another and discuss a topic of mutual interest. What made these forums so groundbreaking initially is that they were akin to a constant e-mail conversation, and since all of the data was constantly saved (essentially), anyone could join the conversation at any point.
6) Some sites combine interests in developing networks with that of providing a public forum for self-expression. Myspace, a website dedicated to heavy user customization, allows people to add colorful backgrounds, music, pictures, and interesting fonts to their webpages.
