The world of social media has become a powerful phenomenon that has impacted people and organizations all over the world. A recent study by the Pew Research Center found that 65 percent of online adults use social networking sites. Here is a look at three of the most popular sites: Facebook, Twitter and Google+.
Facebook. The general idea behind Facebook is to create online communities and connections. Facebook has a great deal of diversity, as users can create a profile that includes pictures, videos, quotes and links to other sites. Becoming “friends” with other users is what is required to make connections, and individuals also can join various groups. In addition, users can click a button to “like” an organization or a cause, which signals their support for that group.
Twitter. The interface for Twitter is very simple: Users or organizations have a 140-character window in which to put text or links to other websites. In Twitter language, this is referred to as “tweeting.” This makes Twitter a very popular site for those that want to put out a very simple message or comment. Twitter has become a prevalent site for the general public as well as for celebrities and professional athletes. In order to stay updated on a person or group, a Twitter feed can be “followed.”
Google+. The Google+ social network is the newest of these three interfaces. Google+ is similar to Facebook in that the idea is to provide a networking module and gathering place for users. Rather than friends, Google+ has “circles” and also allows users to “huddle” if they want to have a group gather online. Users also have opportunities to upload material and endorse Internet content.
