Social networking service

A social networking service or social networking site, abbreviated as SNS, is a type of online social media platform which people use to build social networks or social relationships with other people who share similar personal or career content, interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections.

Social networking services vary in format and the number of features. They can incorporate a range of new information and communication tools, operating on desktops and on laptops, on mobile devices such as tablet computers and smartphones. These sites allow users to share ideas, digital photos and videos, posts, and to inform others about online or real-world activities and events with people within their social network. The web enables people to connect with others who live in different locations across the globe, depending on access to an Internet connection.

Facebook has a massive number of users, while LinkedIn focuses on career-oriented connections that usually require members to know each other in real life. After the COVID-19 pandemic, platforms like Zoom became important for connecting people around the world for school, work, and meetings. Social networking services can be used for socializing with friends, for professional networking, or for finding specific information and resources.

Offline and online social networking services

Social networking services are online platforms where people connect with others who share similar interests, backgrounds, or real-life connections. These services can include many tools for communication and are available on computers, tablets, and smartphones.

History

The idea of using computers to help people connect with each other was suggested a long time ago. Early online services like Usenet, ARPANET, and BBS tried to support social networks. These services had many features that are now common on social networking sites.

Early social networking on the World Wide Web started with online communities such as Theglobe.com and GeoCities. These communities helped people chat and share ideas. In the late 1990s, user profiles became important, letting people list "friends" and find others with similar interests. New sites like SixDegrees and Friendster brought more advanced features. MySpace and LinkedIn launched in 2003, and Facebook became the largest site in 2009.

The term social media was first used in 2004 and often describes social networking services.

Social impact

Social networking services help people connect with others who share similar interests, no matter where they live. These services allow people to communicate through messages and emails, creating online groups where people help each other. Companies also use social media to learn more about job candidates.

Researchers study how social media affects our lives, including our identities, privacy, and relationships. Many people use social media as a source of news, though they may have different opinions about how reliable it is. Social media can also influence our shopping decisions and even help with charitable causes. However, some studies show that using social media too much can make people feel lonely or unhappy, especially when they compare their lives to others online. Unfortunately, social media can sometimes lead to hurtful messages and arguments among users.

Features

Social networking sites have many tools that help people connect. Users can create profiles that show information about themselves, such as their age, location, and interests. These profiles often include lists of friends and allow users to share photos, videos, and blog posts. Users can also leave comments for their friends.

Many social networks work on mobile phones, letting users chat, share photos, and create their own groups. Some services even let users change their usernames, but they should be careful as this might affect links from other users. Social networks also try to stop false information by adding labels to posts that are not true.

Emerging trends

The things you share online are things that make you look good and connect to who you are.

As more people use social networking, new ways to use these platforms are appearing. Today’s users want quick and easy solutions for their daily tasks. One big trend is “real-time web” and “location-based” services. Real-time lets users share updates instantly, like live radio or TV. Twitter started this with short updates, and Facebook added a “Live Feed” to show what users are doing right away. Some services focus on photos, like Clixtr, while Facebook is the biggest photo-sharing site. Pinterest became popular as a visual social network in the United States.

Companies are also combining business tools with social networking. They create communities for people to share business needs or experiences. LinkedIn is one example, offering tools for professional networking. Other sites, like Monster.com, add social features to help with jobs and careers. These business sites often have special names, like “Vocational Networking Sites.”

Some services let users check in to places they visit, like Foursquare and Gowalla, using phone GPS to show nearby events. Yelp also added check-ins to its app.

Businesses use social networking to build their brands. They share updates, manage their online image, recruit employees, learn about new technology, and connect with potential customers. In 2013, many people used Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn for these purposes.

Issues

Main article: Issues relating to social networking services

Social networking services can cause problems like privacy concerns, bullying, and social anxiety. Sometimes, these platforms might be used in ways that aren't safe or kind. It's important to be careful and thoughtful when using them.

Investigations

Main article: Use of social network websites in investigations

Social networking services are often used in legal and criminal investigations. Information shared on sites like MySpace and Facebook has helped police, probation officers, and university staff to take action against users. In some cases, posts from MySpace have even been used in court.

Schools and law enforcement sometimes use Facebook to gather evidence against students. Because many college students use Facebook to share personal details, school staff and police can see these posts. For example, a UK police force looked through Facebook photos and arrested people who appeared in public places holding weapons, which is against the law.

Application domains

Government applications

Social networking is now being used by different government groups. These tools help the government share updates and get ideas from people. However, this can also bring risks, like creating unfair pressure on people.

The Centers for Disease Control showed how important vaccinations are using a kids' site called Whyville. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has a virtual island on Second Life where folks can learn about effects of global warming. NASA uses social networking tools like Twitter and Flickr to help with reviews of space plans.

Business applications

Businesses use social networking to connect with others at low cost. This helps entrepreneurs and small businesses grow. Companies use these networks to keep in touch with customers worldwide and to advertise. Some companies even create their own social sites to build relationships with their customers. Social networks are also used inside companies for teamwork, sharing files, and learning from each other. This is sometimes called "enterprise social software".

Dating applications

Many social networks let people chat and share information to find dates or relationships. Users usually share details like age, location, and interests. It’s important to be careful about sharing personal information online. While some sites charge for dating services, social networks are usually free, which has made them very popular for finding dates.

Educational applications

Schools and teachers use social networks to talk about education and schoolwork. Networks like HASTAC help teachers and students learn together. Sites like Ning, TermWiki, and TeachStreet support teachers and students by sharing ideas and resources. Some networks even act like online yearbooks for schools.

Finance applications

Social networks can create virtual money for global transactions. For example, Hub Culture uses a virtual currency called Ven for trading goods and services. In 2010, they added carbon pricing to this currency, making it the first linked to the environment.

Medical and health applications

Healthcare workers are starting to use social networks to share knowledge and support each other. Sites like HealthUnlocked and PatientsLikeMe help people with health issues connect and share experiences. Others, like SparkPeople, focus on healthy living and weight loss, while Fitocracy and QUENTIQ help users share exercise activities.

Social and political applications

Social networks have helped in social and political movements. During the Egyptian revolution, Facebook and Twitter helped people organize protests and share news. Social media played a big role in Barack Obama's election campaign in 2008, helping him connect with people and volunteers. Many political campaigns now use social media to reach younger audiences and get them involved in politics.

Crowdsourcing applications

Main article: Crowdsourcing

Crowdsourcing platforms bring together freelancers like designers to work with businesses. This helps divide up big tasks or raise money for new companies and charities, either online or in person.

Open source software

Main article: Comparison of software and protocols for distributed social networking

Some projects work on creating free and open source software for social networking services. These tools are sometimes called social engine or social networking engine software.

Largest social networking services

The following is a list of the largest social networking services, in order by number of active users, as of January 2024, as published by Statista: