I don't use social networking sites as much as the average person, so i decided to do some research into the methods that they use to connect people. There's such a huge amount that i am limiting myself to the most popular, and selecting various niche interest groups.
Commonalities
1. Creating a profile: Adding photographs, Description etc.
2. Require a regular internet connection
3. Ability to leave messages for connected users and unconnected users
4. Connections: Seperation of people you know from strangers, able to easily connect to friends
5. Privacy settings (barrier to some/all information). This creates a sense of 'them' and 'us' with virtual social groups and contacts
6. Search function: ability to find people by different filters i.e. name, location
7. Life feed: You can see what activity is happening on the site. Some are user based i.e. noting what contacts have done; some are updates of new users; some are event and interest updates etc.
8. Targeted advertising (majority of sites don't charge for subcription so they rely on advertising revenue). Social networking sites are a gold mine as it allows for the placement of highly specialised ads to an advertisers target audience.
9. Your profile page (to easily access friends, your photos, make changes, contact people etc)
Differences:
Interface
1. 'Home page' - Some sites show you the live feed of other users actions at login, some take you straight to your 'profile/page'
2. Real/Alias: Some sites require the users to use real information and connect to real friends with their real name i.e. facebook and Classmates.com. Others can use aliases i.e. 'becca11480' on http://www.blackplanet.com/ which in a way encourages the 'fakeness' where you can make yourself whoever you want to be.
3. Where the social networking part is the secondary function of a site i.e. etsy (where users are there mainly to sell their goods, but can network and share ideas, the main part is the shop homepage, and lower down you can get to 'favourite sellers' etc
Overview of users
Tools:
-Live feed: Ability to filter recent updates by category not always there
-Forums (special interest/general interest). Some have pre-set boards, some allow users to create their own. The forum option is mostly available on interest focused social networking sites.
-Instant messaging (some have posting to your profile board, or private messing to an inbox hosted by the social network, or even real time messaging rivalling MSN)
-Video messaging and conferencing
-Blogging: Keeping other users updated. Some have the option to subscribe to updates i.e. twitter, some don't
-Layout customisation : i.e. changing colours, layout, adding things to your page i.e. music
-Block members
-Privacy settings: Option to disclose direct contact channels (i.e. posting your email address in public isn't allowed on http://myfreeimplants.com/ and you're not allowed to contact members outside of the site, whereas on other sites you can show any info you like). Also there is the choice to make your profile public/private which isnt available on a lot of sites.
-Geographical map of contacts
-Media: Some sites have a focus on media and allow you to easily share/see/discover music/videos
-Events: same as media, plus the option to post events
-Sale channels: some sites allow the purchase of things like music by independent artists, or garage sales and swap shops
Purpose
1. Dating http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_online_dating_websites
2. Hobbies/Special joint interest i.e. photography, fashion i.e. lookbook.nu
3. 'Missed connections'
4. Situation/Jobs i.e. http://www.militaryspot.net/
Whilst having a look, many sites are situated around on feature that they do very well, and other functions expand out of this. Asides from facebook, most sites sell themselves bycreating interest based communities i.e. dating, finding old friends, sharing music, selling music, art etc.
