Coolest Features of Social Networking Sites

"What do you think is the coolest thing about social networking sites?"

I recently asked this question to some social networking site users, and these are their responses.

You go to a singles dance or a networking event and everyone is different but the sponsor 's pull makes it not totally random. Similarly, each social networking site has its own population drawn to its uniqueness.

Some are good, but most are messy and non-user friendly.

I think it lets people with same interest connect more easily.

For me, the thing I like about social networking sites the most is probably content discovery and the collaborative filtering of content that some sites offer.

I guess another factor is discovering, through discussions, different experiences, views and perceptions from people that participate.

I guess in short it's all about sharing and user driven media.

For web developers I feel there is still a lot of area to be filled in this space. While sites like Digg, Netscape and the like are great they don't cater so well to regional audiences.

For example, if I submitted a story about news event in my home town to digg it may not do so well due to only having local relevance. That's a shame because there probably is an audience for it, if there was a localised site to share those stories and discussions.

I'm in Australia and I have noticed some new sites going online just recently like http://www.perthnorg.com.au (user submitted news for Perth Australia) and http://www.confer.com.au (Australian based digg type site - disclosure:I own this one!) that enable a place to share Australian stories, which is exciting.

It's probably the easiest way I have to stay in touch with my friends, as well as generate links and traffic for my site.

First off, let me say that my all-time favorite web 2.0 site is last.fm, which I am sure you're familiar with. I LOVE the idea of being able to find both music that I would like or might like or should just be exposed to and people who share interests with me, all in one fell swoop. It's got a great interface, it's smart, and it's not obtrusive.

I think one of the downfalls of a social networking portal is when it tries to do too much or assume that it will be the dominant site in one person's life. Virb, for instance, assumes a kind of 'community' feeling that I don't think it delivers, because people aren't willing to commit time to both facebook and/or myspace, as well as a secondary site. The secondary sites could recognize this and aim to supplement the main ones, not replace them. Replacement will happen eventually, as it always does.

I really don't know how to say what I think is coolEST--I LOVE social networking and think that it's the future of social interaction; within five years, the internet is going to look a LOT different, don't you think?

SU is everything myspace & facebook cant be. For me it's fun, informative and not fake or spammy.

what i think is the coolest thing about social networking is the interaction among the people..u meet so many different people..and the chatting..always seem to learn something all the time..having your own profile.being able to create your website..i think the inner person can come out more..to me its exciting..meeting people..learning

thanks for asking me in...well in my point view social bookmarking websites playing an exciting role in raising website traffic. One best is that you can get more High PR links to your site. This could enhance more trust of your website in respect of search engine ranking theory... but if you still not clear then you have to read first my two amazing posts regarding social bookmarking websites. Here there are:

http://www.freeseosemtraining.com/blog/social-bookmarking-monopoly.htm

http://www.freeseosemtraining.com/blog/social-bookmarking-sites-play-a-vital-role

Hope this could clear you the facts

Thanks

Bilal (SEO Expert)

Hey Dennis,

Good question. Depends on from what/whose perspective you're talking about. As a member of a few social networking sites, the best part for me is connecting with people who I already know, as well as finding others who share the same interests as me and having conversations about new ideas, trends, etc.

From a marketer's perspective, I think the best thing is that they can create a community around a brand, bring advocates together, and get people talking about the company/its products. By observing what people are talking about a brand can see what's working/what's not working, get user feedback and create new products/services that will benefit customers.

Another use of social networks I've just become interested in is bringing people together who already share common interest in a niche and then maybe getting sponsors who align with their interests to offer them relevant products/services. So it's a win-win for both groups. What do you think about this? If you were to create a network from scratch around a niche and then monetize it by offering relevant products to users, would you do this from the beginning, or wait until it built itself a little bit? Also, with the rise in social networks, do you think there needs to be some kind of reward for joining a community, besides just to interact with others who share a common interest?

Your blog looks very interesting and I've added it to my RSS feeds.

-Jason

Isn't it cool how these places bring people together? No matter where they may be, people can connect from a site like these. The entire concept is cool.

But personally, what would be even cooler is to always see your friends, don't you think so?

Meeting people from all parts of the world.

Social networking sites can be very different, and therefore the good things about them can vary as well. But in general I think it's nice to let people meet each other with things they have as a common interest, e.g. surfing the web for the best sites

I think it's the users interaction.
Users can enjoy the web no more as a world to watch from outside but they will be able to participate to its growth and at the same time deciding its rules!
If u think of it, it's the user the power of the www!!!!

Finding new sites that I would not have found normally

Hi Dennis
To answer your question it finding unexpected web sites. Cheers.

That some people wanna get traffic on their websites

Meeting new people and sharing stuff such as cool sites.

Primarily their ability to draw subcultures together, through user sponsored events which enables the meeting of several individuals from all walks of life. Though, out of all the social networking sites, tribe. net is my top choice due to its ability to easily form events and discuss topics which like minded people can relate. The majority of networking sites such as Stumble Upon, Myspace, and Facebook, don't give the user a great community based feeling and focus far too much on the individual.

the social networking part.

That they send me traffic, lol. And that I can make $$$$ from writing articles designed to hit their front page.

Honetstly, I don't wanna answer to your question...Because when I write something about that, many people will misread my meaning...People on the Su, especially unreal stumblers, are far away from understanding-tolerance culture...Sorry...

People you like you & me who invest enough of their time in Social Networks like StumbleUpon to make them work.

How's that sound?

I think social networking sites make it easier to find people with common interests. That helps take some of the awkwardness of out meeting new people and trying to forge a connection over such a difficult medium.

finding things that you would never have found otherwise from people with the same interests.

that they bring so many people together virtually with a touch of anonymity and a sort of "safe" networking environment.

is this some sort of survey?

Hey..

From a business standpoint, social networking sites are a great way to get the word out... Put a personal face on your business and get tremendous marketing leverage...Something tells me you already know this...

the connection to masses...

Space has been conquered and people can join together instantly around the world based on mutual interests. Just 15 years ago, this was impossible. And it's only getting better.

hmmm - wondering how people find me ... (rofl)

Looking at other people and reading something about them.

One cool thing is not having people trying to sell you stuff.

Dennis, it depends on each individual. To me the value of networking is for professional collaboration, professional contacts which could help you find your next job, and finally for potential business deals. If you are a single unattached individual, obviously it is a good way to meet others and you'll never know may be your future partner in life.

hmmm... the ability to reconnect with old friends and meet new ones

Hmmmm... I guess that it can be beneficial to me as both a producer and consumer of ideas? As a producer, people of like minds will branch out a notion fairly quickly. As a consumer, I have a quick means to get status checks, fads, trends, news from my peeps.

I would have to say the exposure social networking sites gives you to other, different people from different places in a relatively safe context.

I guess i would have to say being able to experience the Internet from other pplz perspective and c what kinds of things of interest they find..

It's a fun way to promote my websites and meet friends. Some of the other techniques I use for SEO and marketing are not so much fun.

Your last post is almost a trick question to me.

I started playing with the social networks to market my products. But now I am creating a new social network around one of my services.

So I guess learning about alternative methods to market my products and services has been the coolest thing I have found that I like about social networking sites.

You can experience a different social universe from you daily routine.

HI, the coolest things are being exposed to different views than my own, and to gain a wider prospective of the world.

Truthfully, I don't do much with "traditional" social networking (unless you count old-fashioned forums), but I like some of the newer sites web 2.0 sites that incorporate a social aspect into other ideas. See Fluther, foowho?, me.dium, etc. for examples.

Meeting new people like you.

stumble upon is awesome. I've been using it for a long time but took a break. Now since i've been using it again I've been hitting "I like" and i'm getting the best results.

lets just say that it helps me get through many boring days at work...if only the woman in the cube next to me would stop giving me disapproving glares all the time.