Its server-based structure and robust voice communication tools make it popular for everything from gaming clans to educational groups. Popular platforms such as Instagram have millions of users in Nepal who rely on them for entertainment, news and business. But it’s not all smooth sailing—privacy worries and misinformation keep us on our toes.

Social proof, such as sharing user-generated content, testimonials, or reviews, further builds credibility and trust with potential customers. Beyond personal use, social media plays a critical role in modern communication, marketing, education, and activism. It empowers users to build networks, raise awareness, and access information instantly. However, it also brings challenges such as privacy concerns, misinformation, and digital addiction.

  • Social media is a platform that stimulates two-way communication between a business, its consumers, and its stockholders (Akram & Kumar, 2018).
  • This breakthrough led to an explosion of blogs, list servers, and email services.
  • Posting content on social media, either sponsored by a business or funded through follower support, can also be a job in itself, separate from any outside work that the social media posts are promoting.
  • The design of social media platforms often prioritizes engagement, which can exacerbate issues like misinformation and addiction.
  • Social media is built to grab your attention and that can sometimes lead to habits you can’t shake off.

Cons: Disadvantages of Social Media

Social media is a phrase we throw around a lot these days, often to describe what we post on sites and apps like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and others. So you can infer that social media are web-based sites that allow people to interact with each other. Friendster was so popular that it reached 3 million members in its first few months. After failing to compete with the social media giants that came after it, Friendster was rebranded and relaunched as a social gaming platform in 2011. Creating engaging content that appeals to your audience and increases interaction is beneficial for everyone! For those getting started with content creation, using AI Tools for Research can massively improve your productivity.

MySpace, which allowed users to create personal profile pages and share information about themselves, Wolf Winner Facebook became the first network to reach one million active monthly users in 2004. LiveJournal, a platform where users could share journal-like entries with either public or private networks, reached over 2.5 million active accounts in 2005. Social media platforms operate by allowing users to create profiles, share content, and engage in real-time interactions, facilitating communication and audience connection. This structure fosters a dynamic online environment for users to connect and share experiences.

Social media enhances and extends human networks.6 Users access social media through web-based apps or custom apps on mobile devices. TikTok has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential social media platforms, particularly among younger audiences. With over a billion monthly active users globally, TikTok’s focus on short, engaging videos has transformed social media content creation and consumption. Its algorithm is designed to surface highly relevant, entertaining content, creating a highly personalized experience for each user. Its unique, video-centric approach highlights the growing importance of short-form content in social media strategies.

Best Practices for Social Media Use

The platform hosts a wide range of content, including short-form videos, full-length documentaries, educational materials, and live streams. Several social media sites — including Facebook, YouTube and X — have been inaccessible in Nepal since Friday after the government blocked 26 unregistered platforms, leaving users angry and confused. One of the most significant benefits of social media is its ability to enhance communication. They enable instant interaction, bridging geographical distances and keeping users connected with friends and family.

Today people can contact each other from opposite sides of the world in less than a second, share files through the cloud and watch the same video simultaneously despite being miles apart. Businesses use social media to market products, promote their brand and engage with customers. Social platforms facilitate customer feedback and let customers share their positive or negative experiences. This helps businesses react quickly to customer concerns and maintain consumer confidence. One of the most significant ways social media influences activism is by democratizing access to advocacy.

Despite these complexities, social media remains a cornerstone of digital life, influencing culture, society, and economies worldwide. Since the early 2000s, social media has reshaped how people interact online, impacting community building, news, politics, entertainment, and advertising. Despite the downsides, including the spread of misinformation and child sexual exploitation, social media continues to grow each year. Posting content on social media, either sponsored by a business or funded through follower support, can also be a job in itself, separate from any outside work that the social media posts are promoting. These types of social media users are generally referred to as influencers or content creators.

While businesses will continue to use these platforms to better connect with customers, there may be a backlash to this consumerism among users who enjoy the more pared-down experience of Reddit or Discord. Though those titans of social media all found success, other apps have struggled to find the same audience. Clubhouse was a brief addition to the market in 2019, which offered an audio chat room experience — a sharp difference to the visual focus of competitors. Despite the growing market for podcasts and other audio content, Clubhouse never quite found its niche, and in April 2023 the company cut its staff by 50%. Vine was a short-form video platform that Twitter bought in 2012 but ultimately discontinued in 2017. There is a greater sense of being run by the community rather than other social media networks, which has made Reddit popular with niche groups that want a safe place to convene online.

Diego Asturias is a tech journalist who translates complex tech jargon into engaging content. He has a degree in Internetworking Tech from Washington DC, US, and tech certifications from Cisco, McAfee, and Wireshark. He has hands-on experience working in Latin America, South Korea, and West Africa. He has been featured in SiliconANGLE Media, Cloudbric, Pcwdld, Hackernoon, ITT Systems, SecurityGladiators, Rapidseedbox, and more. Regional dominance often comes down to government restrictions and cultural preferences. For instance, WeChat thrives in China due to tight control over foreign apps, while Line leads in Japan because of its localized features.