Social Networking Sites

Facebook vs.Twitter vs. Instagram vs. Reddit.

Facebook is perhaps the most well known and most versatile social networking application in the world. It provides users with almost all functions other social networking websites use. The primary functions of Facebook are communication and information sharing. Users can post written diary like entries on their personal homepage and friends are allowed to read and comment on it. Users can also link pictures or videos onto their posts. Facebook also allows users to speak to each other, either one on one chatting, or group chatting sessions.

Twitter might be the second most used social networking application in contemporary days. The difference between Facebook is that Twitter is the "short" blog. Each post you submit on Twitter is very brief and short, almost like a summarized version of your thoughts. You're basically writing the title and subtitles of a novel; and maybe one word you might use to describe it. Twitter is famous for the term "hashtag" or another way of saying, re-post this and share it with the world.

Instagram is the even "shorter" blog. Each post you submit is just a picture's length. There are no written words on your post besides a caption for your picture, and of course other people's comments. Instagram emphasizes on the saying: "A picture is worth more than a thousand words."

Reddit is a website who's popularity that has recently emerged from the social networking market. It is a mixture of all three Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Users can submit a post with a picture, or just a subtitle and readers can comment on it. One interesting feature that it offers is the voting system. Posts that recessives the most votes for the day is shown on the front page of the website.

In general, social networking applications are for "socializing" with other people on the internet. All four social networking websites offer practically the same service; communication and information sharing- a user brings something to light, another user gives feedback. One very important aspect social networking websites bring upon is publicity and rising awareness. All big named social networking websites are linked to thousands of other websites in one way or another. Almost every content available online has some sort of share button option, allowing users to link that specific content onto their Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Reddit posts, etc... This is an extremely effective way to bring attention and spread the word about an issue; whether it's a recent global incident or for commercial advertising uses. An example of this is Twitter's iconic "hashtag," in which users use the "#" symbol in front of their post to publicize it; and if enough people hashtag the same thing, then it will go viral.