Social networking websites have grown in popularity over the last five years as more people utilize the internet as a means to stay connected with family and friends, make business connections, and promote their entrepreneurial endeavors. Just as email revolutionized the world of communication during the 90’s, online social networking has been a key feature of our web 2.0 world; bridging distances across the globe and strengthening social and commercial bonds previously strained by time. Such sites offer a range of services provided to the user. The basic and most used social networking websites have an emphasis on maintaining contact with family and friends. Other sites are geared toward specific a purpose or demographic offering a place to connect for musicians, employers, job seekers, photographers, and former classmates among others.

The most popular social networking websites such as Facebook, My Space, or Twitter serve the general purpose of connecting people via the internet. Users create profiles providing basic information such as their name, occupation, hobbies, some of their interest, and more information if desired (ex: phone number and address). Searching through the social networks profiles users connect with people they know or may share similar interest with. The main strengths behind the most popular networking websites are the ease with which social connections can be made and the depth of the features provided. The best websites allow users connected in the same social network, or “friends,” to integrate their lives through features that enable picture sharing, restaurant or movie recommendations, and updates about daily their activities. Twitter, ever-growing in popularity, strictly allows users to update those in their social network in 140 characters or less. Furthering to broadening the appeal of the web’s most popular social networking sites is the ability of users to update their profiles using mobile devices.

Other social networking websites specialize in connecting people that share similar interest or look to utilize social networking for a specific purpose. Linkedin seeks to connect employers with those looking for employment or can be considered a constantly updated online resume. My Space music host profiles for musicians—from the burgeoning artist to the most popular musicians in the world. Other sites provide a place for photographers to post and share their pictures or high school classmates to reunite among others. While these differ in specific purpose and obviously don’t attract as many users due to their focused purpose many still provide a useful a useful place for like minded people to connect.

Social networking websites have proven their utility as many can boast an explosion in users over the last few years. Many speculated that the internet would lead to people living secondary and altogether separate lives on the internet, and while that heretofore has proven to be a bridge to far for most, social networking websites seem like a happy compromise; integrating users social and professional lives via the web allows for an easy exchange of media content, data, and ideas. As online social networking on the internet expands, technologically develops, and the web integrates further with mobile devices the world our social lives are sure to involve an increasing amount of incorporation with the online world.