-
Classmates.com
Originally created to help users find classmates and colleagues from kindergarten, primary school, high school, college, workplaces, and the U.S. military. It gained its popularity as one of the first sites where users could have a virtual reunion. http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classmates.com -
Friendster
When Friendster launched, its purpose was for users to contact other members and share online content and media with those contacts. People also used the website for dating and discovering new events, bands and hobbies. Users could share videos, photos, messages and comments with other members through profiles & networks. Friendster is considered the "grandfather" of social networks. http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friendster -
LinkedIn
LinkedIn took a more serious approach to social networking. Rather than being a playground for former classmates & teenagers, LinkedIn was, and still is, a networking resource for business people who want to connect with other professionals. http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinkedIn -
MySpace
MySpace launched when a group of eUniverse employees with Friendster accounts saw potential in its social networking features. They wanted to build a hipper and more young adult focused network and did so by tempting users with music, music videos, and a funky environment. http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myspace -
Facebook
Originally "The Facebook" was started by Mark Zuckerberg, and other Harvard students. It originally launched as a Harvard-only exercise and remained a campus-oriented site for two years before opening to the general public in 2006. Facebook can be used through the web interface or mobile app. http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facebook -
Twitter
Twitter is a social network that enables users to send and read short 140-character messages or "tweets". Registered users can read and post tweets, while unregistered users can only read them. Twitter can be used through the web interface, SMS or mobile app. http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter -
#hashtag is born
The purpose of the hashtag was to make it easy for users to search for content and find specific updates that are relevant without the technological knowledge to navigate the site. So basically, the hashtag "was created organically by Twitter users as a way to categorize messages." Hashtags are now used on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hashtag
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S037821661500096X -
Instagram
Instagram is an online mobile photo, video and social networking app. Originally released as an iOS app, users could take and edit pictures and share them either publicly or privately on the app, as well as push them to other social networks. In January 2011 hashtags were added to Instagram and on April 3, 2012 Instagram launched on Android. http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instagram -
Snapchat
The original Snapchat prototype was created for a class by Stanford students, called "Picaboo". Users could communicate with short-lived images. Picaboo launched in July 2011 as an iOS app. After a falling out with one of Picaboo's founders, the app relaunched 2 months later as Snapchat. The app has since evolved into the IM, public content, and brand networks we know today. http://www.digitaltrends.com/features/the-history-of-social-networking/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snapchat
