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Bulletin Board System (BBS)
BBS was an early online space for communities that allowed user to post messages and share files. While not "social media" in the modern sense early platforms laid the foundation for online social interaction -
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Early Online Communities
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World Wide Web Launched
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Six Degrees
Often considered one of the first social networking websites, Six Degrees allowed users to create profiles, connect with others, and make friends online. This platform was heavily influenced by the concept of "friend networks" and marked the beginning of social media as we know it today. -
Live Journal
This early social media site was more of a blogging platform, but it allowed users to post public entries, interact with each other's posts, and join communities, laying the groundwork for later platforms like Facebook and Twitter. Live journal is still a working cite today. -
Friendster
Launched in 2002, Friendster was a pioneering social networking site that introduced key features of modern social media, such as personal profiles, friend connections, and sharing updates, photos, and interests. It allowed users to build digital networks and communicate in ways previously unavailable, laying the foundation for the evolution of social media and shifting how people interacted online. -
My Space
MySpace stood out from earlier platforms like Friendster by offering extensive profile customization. Users could personalize pages with backgrounds, colors, fonts, and music, giving them a sense of ownership and self-expression. This fostered a creative community where people could design profiles that reflected their personalities and tastes, making MySpace feel like a unique, personal space on the web. -
The Emergence of Modern Social Medias
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The Emergence of Modern Social Media
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Facebook
Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook revolutionized social media by offering a clean, university-based social network that expanded to the general public. It introduced features like the "wall," friend requests, and status updates, becoming a core part of people's daily online interaction. -
YouTube
While not a "social network" in the traditional sense, YouTube revolutionized content sharing and interaction by allowing users to upload and share videos, comment, and interact with other users' content. It played a major role in the rise of social media as a platform for content creators and influencers. -
Twitter
Twitter, with its 140-character format (later expanded to 280 characters), became a platform for quick updates, thoughts, and microblogging. Its real-time communication style has had a major impact on politics, journalism, and culture. -
Smartphones and Apps
The rise of smartphones, especially the launch of the iPhone in 2007, accelerated social media usage. Apps such as Instagram (2010), Snapchat (2011), and WhatsApp (2009) quickly gained popularity for their mobile-first experiences and became essential tools for communication, photo-sharing, and messaging. -
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Mobile Social Media and the Smartphone Revolution
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Content Creation as a Job
Platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok have enabled a new form of entrepreneurship, where users monetize their content through ads, sponsorships, and fan support (e.g., Patreon, OnlyFans). This has democratized fame and fortune, allowing anyone to turn their passion into a career. Starting in the early 2010s. -
Instagram
Instagram was founded in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger as a photo-sharing app. Instagram quickly became known for its user-friendly interface and emphasis on mobile photography, coupled with easy-to-use filters. Unlike other platforms that were initially focused on text and links, Instagram gave users a way to share their daily lives through visually appealing images. -
Snapchat
Snapchat introduced the "Stories" feature (2013), which allowed users to post pictures and videos that lasted 24 hours. This feature would go on to be adopted by Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp. Snapchat also pioneered features like Augmented Reality (AR) Filters in 2015, allowing users to add interactive effects to their photos and videos. These AR filters became a key part of Snapchat's appeal, especially among younger audiences. -
Pintrest
Pinterest’s focus on visual discovery became a major influence on the growing trend of social commerce—the idea of discovering and buying products directly through social platforms. Pinterest also became a major platform for brand marketing, especially in niches like food, fashion, home décor, and DIY. It’s often used as a tool for planning events, weddings, and home projects, combining utility and inspiration in a way no other platform really has. -
E-Commerce Integration
Facebook Marketplace (2016): Allowed users to buy and sell items locally, turning Facebook into a mini e-commerce platform.
Instagram Shopping (2018): Integrated shopping directly into the app, enabling brands and creators to sell products seamlessly. This blurs the line between entertainment and commerce. -
Threads
Meta’s Twitter competitor, emphasizing text-based posts and rapid integration with Instagram. This reflects the ever-evolving nature of social media as platforms seek to cater to changing user preferences.