What is Social Media?

Anybody who uses the Internet will have come across social media. If you’re interested in search engine optimisation or Internet marketing it’s a given. It’s a term used frequently in Internet marketing circles but actually defining what it is and what websites come under its umbrella can be quite difficult. So what is it? Basically, it incorporates any online technology and methodology through which people can share content, opinions, perspectives and ideas. It’s often used to discuss the development of the web itself.

These websites come in range of forms and types including:
Text: whereby the user can put across their opinion in writing through a blog post or comment

Imagery: whereby the user can display their own personal photography from their holiday snaps to a professional portfolio

Video: whereby the user can upload their own videos and record videos of personal events. Some users even record vlogs which are the video version of a blog.

Audio: whereby the user can record their own audio podcasts for visitors to download

There are many popular types of this form of online technology and a few examples of popular kinds include:

• Wikis – these are websites which allow you to create, edit and share information regarding any topic or area you feel you are an expert on or are merely interested in. The primary wiki site is Wikipedia.
• Social networking – this is probably the most popular type of website in general. You are able to create your own person profile, chat with your friends and share video, images and lots of other information. The most popular networks include Facebook, Bebo and Myspace.
• Photo sharing – there are many quality websites designed purely for sharing your photographs with your friends, family and the wider Internet public. The most popular photo sharing sites include Flickr and weheartit.
• Presence application – a presence application is a website through which you can post micro-blogs to tell the wider world what you’re up to. Twitter is the primary presence app on the Internet
• News aggregation – these websites provide a range of new stories collated from a range of sources. Digg is the most popular new aggregator online.
• Online gaming – these websites are often built around social communities. One of the most dedicated of these is the World of Warcraft community.

Social media covers an almost inexhaustible set of websites and online technologies. It is moving at an alarming pace and almost every day sees a new development in their technology.



For more information on social media Liverpool, Manchester and the rest of the North West, check out our site and see what social media Liverpool services we have available.