Aug 08 2008
Top Web 2.0 Social Networking Websites to Watch Out for
One of the most popular results of the emergence and continuous innovation of Web 2.0 is the social networking site. A social networking website allows users to build and verify online social networks based on mutual acquaintance as well as common interests and activities. It also offers users to utilize their software to generate and manage their own data.
In the US, MySpace is still the top social networking website with its rival Facebook a close second. But those
are not the only social networking websites making waves in the Internet today. Remember that one of the key traits of Web 2.0 is its dedication to ongoing innovation! Who knows if another social networking website’s destined to be on top tomorrow?
Top Web 2.0 Social Networking Websites to Watch Out forBesides MySpace and Facebook, here are some other Web 2.0 social networking sites you should pay close attention to.
BlackPlanet – It is the fifth highest trafficking social-networking site, which is quite remarkable
considering that it primarily caters to the African American community. The time spent by members on the website is 300% more than the minutes spent on all its competitors combined!
Bebo – Although based in the US, Bebo has a stronger following in the UK and virtually provides the same services as MySpace.
Orkut – Most popular in India and Brazil, Orkut was initially developed by Google as a by-invitation-only social networking site. One of its unique features is letting users create their own forums or what they refer to as “communities”. Internet research firm Alexa has however described Orkut as having already reached its peak membership rate in 2006.
Hi5 – This social networking site is most popular in South and Central America, excluding Brazil of course, and including a few other countries like Romania and Mongolia. Some simply think of Hi5 as the Latin version of MySpace. Being one of the first few social networking sites to offer its services in Spanish had greatly helped in establishing its name.
Skyrock Blog – Most popular with French-speaking communities, this was formerly known as Skyblog. Unlike other social networking sites, however, Skyrock Blog is primarily a personal political forum and most of the content revolve on social injustices and other dilemmas experienced by French youth.
Friendster – This social networking website was what started it all. Although based in the US, its user base lies however in Southeast Asia or Philippines in particular. The LA Times had reported that approximately 87% Filipinos were users of Friendster. With the addition of other languages, it is also the second most visited website in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Cyworld – Dubbed as the future of social networking, this South Korea based website utilizes a game-like social network that lets you pay for clothes, furniture, and accessories. Its Karmic elements also let you know what the “world” thinks of you.
XuQa – This is what Facebook could be if it were allowed to be even slightly “racier”. It focuses on recruiting college students and also uses a game-like social network. Although its current membership is about 1/7th of Facebook, this website definitely shows a lot of promise!
Choosing a Web 2.0 Social Networking Site
If ever you’re placed in the position to choose the ideal social networking site, just focus on looking for Web 2.0 characteristics such as excellent networking features, user-friendliness and functionality of API’s, and flexibility in creation, management, and usage of content.
Here is where this lesson ends for today. We really hope you enjoyed this lesson too.
You will receive the next lesson in 7 days. Next week’s lesson will have the following title:
“Build It and They Will Come? Traffic Building Tricks and Web 2.0″
Copyright(C) 2008 by John Delavera & Reimund Lube
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