Lewis Write Blog

The MySpace generation has paved the way for social networking success on the web, with the foundation of Web 2.0 and the power of online collaboration. Additional sites such as YouTube and Digg are allowing people of all backgrounds and skill levels to take part in the innovative concepts of Web 2.0, encouraging collaboration, feedback, and real-time networking.

Social networking allows thousands of users to link up and share their views, profiles, and opinions on specific topics within their network. Adding people into the network can boost a person’s ranking, and possibly their influence on the site. Digg is one example of the power of influence in the democratic Web 2.0 setting; here, users can contribute articles, news, and commentary on any topic. Other ‘Diggers’ can review and rate these contributions and the most popular will appear on the Digg front page, a coveted website that has proven to be a high-traffic interface.

MySpace users can take advantage of Web 2.0 collaboration and sharing opportunities by featuring their own personal or business profiles, and linking to friends, family members, or even potential clients. The popularity contest here involves the number of ‘friends’ in the network, and each user can set preferences on who they approve or deny in their change. This user-friendly interface encourages both the casual and serious user to participate, and has evolved into one of the most popular websites and social networks on the web today.

YouTube has integrated the value o sharing video and pictures, incorporating Web 2.0 collaboration options. YouTube allows anybody to upload homemade videos onto a mains ite, and attch a URL for publishing purposes. This URL can be promoted anywhere, including blogs, personal websites, or added as a link to an e-mail. Driving traffic to the site may come from this individual URL, or simply featured as a Most Popular video depending on the content and the value other visitors have placed on the segment. Users have the ability to rate and comment on every piece published, and YouTube ranks the most watched videos daily for additional visibility.

Promotion and marketing online have taken a new level with social networking capabilities and functions. Even businesses can take advantage of social networking by promoting their brand campaign and pitching ideas to specific, targeted users. This growth in Web 2.0-based applications has risen since the early years of 2004, allowing people to communicate and share their ideas in a fresh, new, and dynamic way.