Social networking is a phenomena defined by linking people to each other in some way.

Social networking is the grouping of individuals into specific
groups, like small rural communities or a neighborhood subdivision...
if you will. Although social networking is possible in person,
especially in schools or in the workplace, it is most popular online.
This is because unlike most high schools, colleges, or workplaces, the
internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet
other internet users and develop friendships and business
relationships, too.

When it comes to online social networking, websites are
commonly used. These websites are known as social sites. Social
networking websites function like an online community of internet
users. Depending on the website in question, many of these online
community members share a common interest such as hobbies, religion, or
politics. Once you are granted access to a social networking website
you can begin to socialize. This socialization may include reading the
profile pages of other members and possibly even contacting them.

First, let's figure out the term social bookmarking. Social
bookmarking refers to the practice of saving and categorizing a
particular site and sharing it with others via social bookmarking
communities. Users can share their own personal Web bookmarks, but they
also have the quite wonderful option of discovering other people’s
bookmarks and adding them to their own collection. More sites can be
discovered, more treasures unearthed, if you work together as a whole
instead of by yourself; it’s truly amazing what people are able to turn
up together on the Web.

There are many things on the internet that are growing in popularity.
However, the most common talked thing on the internet now is social
networking sites. This includes sites like Facebook, MySpace, and of
course, YouTube. These are places where people go to talk with friends
and have an overall good time. One great thing about these sites is the
fact that they have so many users on them, and they keep growing
everyday.

It's for this fact that a lot of people like to use these kinds of
social networking sites to advertise their business. However, there are
a few things that you have to be aware of before you do something like
that. A lot of these social networking sites take active measurements
against people advertising on their sites. Its easy to get your account
canceled if you don't follow these rules.

Just because some of
these social networking sites do not like you to advertise on them,
does not mean that no social networking sites like you to. There are
some other networking sites like Yuwie that do not have a problem with
you advertising. Thus, you ca go there and support your business to
millions of users. Of course, keep in mind that these new sites that do
not mind advertising are not as big as Facebook and MySpace.

Terminology


Here are some common terms used in the social networking world:


Add: Noun and verb used on social networking sites around being added as a friend. For example: “Thanks for the add.”


Avatar: Graphical representation of a user in a virtual world.


Facebooking: Any act of using features on Facebook.


Fakesters: Fictional profiles created on Friendster by users. Fakesters can be anything from celebrities to cities to inanimate objects.


Orkuteiros: Brazilian Orkut aficionados. Orkut is a social network owned by Google that later became popular in Brazil and India.


Profile pimping: Customizing MySpace profiles with designs and widgets that reflect a user’s personal style.


Scraps: Public messages left on an Orkut user’s profile by other members.


Widgets: Mini-applications or HTML code that people can embed onto social networking pages.