Essay: Social Network Sites (SNSs)

Social Network Sites (SNSs) have attracted a lot of people in different ages to constructing social relationships with people who share interests, activities or backgrounds. The purpose of this essay is to provide a conceptual, historical and advantages versus disadvantages of the SNSs . the essay begin by defining a social network sites , the revolution of social networking sites and then list of popular social networking sites. Following this, the affects of SNSs on business, education services and social relationships and attempt to consider tradeoffs of SNSs as well . It conclude with a summary of the article’s main points and suggestions about optimizing social networking channels for the best people usage.
Social network site is defined in (Ellison , 2007 ) as ‘web-based services that allow individuals to (1) construct a public or semi-public profile within a bounded system, (2) articulate a list of other users with whom they share a connection, and (3) view and traverse their list of connections and those made by others within the system'(p. 2). In other word, The Social Network Sites are sites where users can build their profiles , share these profiles with their families and friends and allow them to connect with each other through the system. The connections’ ways differ from one site to another.
Although users can meet strangers on social networking sites , but it is not the only purpose of them . They provide visual connection for their users that cannot be obtained from other sites. Most of SNSs users are using these sits mainly to communicate with their extended social life members rather than searching for new people to meet them. ‘To emphasize this articulated social network as a critical organizing feature of these sites, we label them (social network sites).’ ( Ellison, 2007)
Beside the plenty of technical aspects that have been implemented by SNSs , the backbone of SNSs contains visual profiles where individuals can show friends’ list who already use the system. The profiles are generated depending on forms which are filled out by users ( Ellison, 2007). The profile include personal information such as nickname, gender , date of birth, hobbies, religion, ethnicity and marital status. Majority of sites allow users to upload photos or videos.
There are several social network sites attract different audience and participants. A Web traffic analysis company – Compete.com – showed that the most popular online social networking site in November 2008 was ‘MySpace, with 56 million unique visitors per month, closely followed by Facebook, with 49 million unique visitors.'( Trusov etal , 2009)
The using of social networks sites in business sector major effect on work and business world. The cost of use social networking sites is low; businessmen who looking to wide range of contact ways with their customers this can be useful for them. Social network sites play role in advertising; companies can promote their services and products on banner form , flash or text ads. Companies which want to fame globally; social network sites facilitate keep in touch with overseas customer . (Social networking Sites 101)