Introduction to Social Networking Web Sites - Essay Example

Social Networking Social networking has become widely popular over the past decade and extremely popular over the past five years. Thereare many contributing factors that play a role in the growth of social networking. Social networking sites were designed for just about anyone looking to communicate through an online network. Many of the sites are user friendly and available at no charge. Since the sites have shown huge popularity, many businesses are able to use the sites as a form of advertising.

Reasons like this are why companies such as Google have invested over 1 billion dollars for a site named You Tube. To further explore a social network it is important to review what a social network is. A social network as defined by an unknown writer from “what is social networking”, “as the grouping of individuals into certain groups”. This is very true in the sense that social networking sites group different types of individuals into different groups based on likes and dislikes. Social networking sites have objectives just like any other site.

Social networking allows for individuals and businesses to communicate through a virtual setting. An article by Don Lafferty, explains how social networking has contributed in the growth of social enterprises. (Lafferty 2007) Social networking allows individuals to be shown a new form of communication. This is very beneficial to businesses. A common social networking site is Facebook. Facebook allows users to search for friends, create profiles, and have access to businesses and advertisements.

Facebook was founded by Mark Zuckerburg Mark was named “person of the year” in 2010. (Grossdman2010) This site is used by millions of people from all different groups. The site generates a large amount of profit through the purchase of advertisements and online games. A similar social networking site is Twitter. Twitter allows individuals to create an account and socialize with others. Socializing is achieved by “following” others and viewing posts. The viewing of posts can be commented on and seen by any Twitter member.

The creator of Twitter is a man born in 1976 named Jack Dorsey. (Hempel 2011) The site generates revenue through the use of advertisements. MySpace is another extremely popular social networking site that allows users to create profiles and communicate with others. This site is similar to Facebook. The site was created by Tom Anderson and Chris Dewolf. (Matt Krantz 2006). The site generates revenue by selling advertisements. The sites do offer great networking but social networking sites face common security/ privacy issues.

These issues go against privacy rights and allow information to become available to the wrong individual. Three areas of business that are being used by the social networking sites are online businesses, local businesses and advertising businesses. Each business has been successful in using online social networking to generate business. Online business and local businesses are able to create profiles through the social networking sites. The sites allow the businesses to seek new customers and have a place for reviews.

Advertising companies benefit greatly as well. Advertising companies are able to provide services that allow businesses to advertise on specific sites that will assure businesses to be seen. Social networking can be beneficial to businesses and individuals looking to use the sites for communicating others. Further research needs to be conducted to examine the level of threats associated with social networking and whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks. References Unknown. "What Is Social Networking?

" What Is Social Networking? - What Is Social Networking? Web. 23 May 2011. . Lafferty, D. (2007). Online BUSINESS SOCIAL Networks Explode. Home Business Magazine: The Home-Based Entrepreneur's Magazine, 14(6), 34-83. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Grossman, L. (2010). 2010 Person of the Year Mark Zuckerberg. (cover story). Time, 176(26), 44. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. HEMPEL, J. (2011). Trouble@Twitter. (cover story). Fortune, 163(6), 66. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Krantz, Matt. (2006). The Guys Behind MySpace.com. Today’s Entrepeneur.

Retreived from USA Today.