Discover what social networks are, their history from SixDegrees.com to Facebook and Instagram, and the difference between social media and social networks. Read more about what social networks are and how they work.
What are social networks?
Social networks are digital platforms that allow people to connect and interact with each other through sharing multimedia content, instant messaging and creating thematic groups. These platforms were created as places for online entertainment and socialising, but over the years they have also become very effective communication and marketing channels. In fact, businesses use them to promote their brand or product, engage with their customers and increase their online visibility.
How social networks are created
Social networks emerged in the 1990s with the aim of connecting people from different parts of the world via the Internet. The first social network to appear was SixDegrees.com in 1997, but it was not until 2002 that the concept of social networking began to spread thanks to the advent of Friendster, the first social network to enjoy great success.
In the years that followed, many other social networks emerged, such as MySpace, LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, which revolutionised the way people communicate and interact with each other.
Today, there are many social networks active around the world, each with its own characteristics and features. According to some estimates, there are more than 200 social networks worldwide, but only a small proportion of these are highly successful and have a large user base.
Difference between social media and social networks
The main difference between social media and social networks is that social media are platforms used for creating and sharing content, while social networks are platforms used for communication and interaction between people. However, many social networks also include social media features, such as the ability to share photos and videos.
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