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Talkomatic is Created
A multi-user chat room that allows for real time communication amongst a group of people -
Six Degrees is Created
Based on the concept of Six Degrees of Separation, Six Degrees is a site that allows users to create a profile and friend other users. Even individuals without a profile can confirm or deny connections with other users, creating many connections. -
AOL Instant Messenger is Launched
AOL Instant Messenger (AIM) allows users to have real time conversations with other individuals online. This revolutionized the way the internet was being used. -
LinkedIn Launches
LinkedIn launches, creating a more specialized use of social media and focusing primarily on the professional/business aspects of the internet and networking. This led the way to a majority of our social media platforms serving one purpose, rather than being a general platform. -
Myspace is Launched
Myspace gave way to a new kind of social media. In it's time, it was the most popular social media platform to exist. Myspace was a place for users to create personalized profiles and add their friends, paving the way for Facebook. Unlike LinkedIn, Myspace was a generalized social media platform with many uses. -
Skype Launches
Used for both personal and professional purposes, Skype gives users the opportunity to video chat with anyone from around the world. -
Facebook Launches
Facebook, originally only accessible for Harvard students, joins the growing social media trend. Similar to Myspace, users can create profiles and add friends. Facebook is now the largest social media platform to ever exist. -
A more generalized social media platform- Reddit
Reddit comes into play with a multi-purpose platform. Reddit is used to share news, comment on news, rate other web content, discussion boards, etc. -
Youtube- The second largest search engine
Youtube launches, originally as a video sharing platform. Youtube is now just behind Google as the second largest search engine, and has videos on every subject/topic out there. Videos for entertainment purposes to How-To videos on fixing cars or cutting hair. -
Time to Tweet
Twitter launches after the rise in popularity of SMS messaging/texting and is a space for users to share information in 140 characters or less. This attracted users who communicate best in shorter bursts rather than long, formal posts/articles. -
Instagram Launches
While Twitter is best for users who communicate in small text bits, Instagram attracts those who communicate through photographs. Instagram continues to gain popularity today and is now owned by Facebook -
Internet Dating- Tinder
Tinder launches in 2012 and has inspired many other platforms to follow suit- Bumble, Hinge, etc. as a social media based dating website. This has a very specific purpose and has created a market within Social Media -
Sources
Could not add to each event due to lack of space Timeline of social media. (2018, December 12). Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_social_media Keith. (2018, December 04). The History of Social Media: Social Networking Evolution! Retrieved from https://historycooperative.org/the-history-of-social-media/
