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Platforms Tools
BBS, or Bulletin Board systems, is a computer server that allows users to connect to it. From there they can upload or download data, send messages, or read the news. Foundational to the concept of the internet connectivity. -
Feature or Design Innovations
Targeted Advertisements have existed outside of social media for many years, however the data collected by social media allowed these companies to create even more targeted advertisements. Using things like geotargeting or behavorial targeting, social media networks can gather data on their users to then allow specific advertisements to reach the correct people. -
Platform Tools
FidoNet is a computer network that communicated between BBS. It was one of the few networks that was supported by all BBS, allowing it to be easily upgraded. -
Platform Tools
AIM, or AOL Instant Messenger, was a messaging program created by AOL. This allowed people to instantly message each other or leave messages for them to read later. -
Platforms Tools
One of the original social media sites, Friendster had many of the features one expects out of a modern social media application. Users were able to contact people and send or receive media. -
Key Social Media Launches
LinkedIn is a social media networking software that is focused on connecting employers and employees. Jobseekers are able to post resumes and CV's while employers can post their job listings. -
Platforms Tools
MySpace was the first social media network to reach people around the world. This allowed the application to influence culture, music, and much more. -
Key Social Media Launches
Youtube is one of the biggest video-sharing network. The site allows people to upload and share videos of any length. -
Key Social Media Launches
Reddit is a forum and news website. Users are able to upvote/downvote posts that can contain images, videos, and other types of media. -
Key Social Media Launches
One of the largest social media platforms, X (formerly known as Twitter) allows users to post text, images, or video and other users to see and interact with it. There is various other features like direct messaging or calling. -
Feature or Design Innovations
The hashtag has been used IT to highlight specific text. It was proposed and soon adopted to also use the hashtag in social media to catalogue text. -
Key Social Media Launches
Instagram is a social media site that allows users to share photos and videos. Media can be edited with filters, tagged with hashtags, or even contain geographical data to know where is happened. -
Key Social Media Launches
Vine was a short-form video hosting site and allowed videos up to 6 seconds long. It led to many viral short clips. -
Cultural Moments or Milestones
The Harlem Shake was a viral meme that involved people acting normal before violently flailing after the beat dropped. At its height, Youtube had thousands of Harlem Shake videos uploaded. -
Cultural Moments or Milestones
The Ice Bucket Challenge is where a person dumps of a bucket of ice and water over their head and then often challenges another person to do the same. The original goal of the trend is to raise awareness of ALS (also known as motor neuron disease). -
Feature or Design Innovations
With the advent of live-streaming (Twitch for example) Facebook followed suit, creating their own version. People were able to stream video live and other users could comment in real time. -
Key Social Media Launches
Tiktok is a short-form video hosting service that has since become one of the most popular social media networks. Akin to MySpace, the app causes viral trends in foods, fashion, or music. -
Key Social Media Launches
Bluesky is social media site similar to X, where users can make posts that others can like or comment on. Unlike X, Bluesky allows users only see the feed of creators that are interested in.