Home » Social Networking - The Growing Popularity

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If you've been online on any kind of regular basis, you've heard of them: Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, FriendFinder, Yahoo! 360 -- they're all around you! And they're called social networking sites.

Ever wonder why these sites are so popular? The reasons are many, including, but not limited to the interaction the average web surfer can perform, the ease of use, and the variety. Yep, they come in all kinds of shapes, sizes, and uses. There's podcasting, video sites, blogging, conferencing -- if you have a specialty you're into, I can guarantee you can find a social networking site to meet your every need, desire and want.

People love to be entertained - they love to meet new people -- and love to get it done easily. And that's what you get -- ease of use, interaction, and just having fun with others. Before the web 2.0 technologies that drive these networks, the lonely online user used forums, bulletin boards, e-mail and Internet messaging to try and find other like-minded folks. It wasn't easy and usually it wasn't fun.

Now they can have instantaneous (ok, ok maybe it's not instantaneous but it's extremely close to it...) connections with others. Another benefit is before you had to 'quote unquote' get to know someone to find out if they had similar interests... not so anymore. Sites, like YouTube make it easy to find what others like, even before you ever say Hi. Is there a video from the 'tube' being passed around on Twitter or MySpace or Facebook? Presto, instant common interest... and off you go to connect with others, share your interests and network to you hearts content.

Oh yea, and their free. What a bargain eh? Ok you do need to register with social networking sites, but it's a small price to bear to connect and share with like-minded people. OK they're not all free, like Classmates -- you gotta pay to connect, but Classmates has a major advantage, they already know you have a past with the folks who have registered on the site. So the price paid is usually well worth connecting too old flames, friends, and high school buddies.

There's also a bit of exclusivity with paid sites because quite frankly not everyone is willing to give up their pocket change to join. I for one am too cheap to pay for a social site, but alas, it is my loss. Guess it depends on the sites benefits. But if you'd like to stay away from the masses, paid sites might be your ticket. What's more scammers, fakes, con artists and the like generally don't like paying money outward -- so they tend to avoid paid membership sites. (Hey, don't lump me in with those nasty guys hhhmph!!)

So whether you're into shooting pool, dancing all night long, or just general chit chat; social networking is the way to go. And while there are the everyone knows sites, like Facebook, there are literally thousands of social interest sites that you can find, chose, and join that meet almost every imaginable interest if you so desire, so don't be bashful!

See ya maybe on one of those special interest social sites and above all, have fun.   ----------------------------------------- George Kougias has been online since the early 90's Discover additional articles and resources regarding web 2.0 and social media by visiting http://www.web20andbeyond.com/web-20-articles/