As Facebook continues to expand its popularity, many
question, "When did social media start?" Facebook is still a social
network, but it has evolved over the years with smart moves and innovative
features. One of the most important developments to the site was the 2007
launch of the Facebook Platform, which allowed third-party developers to create
applications and gain massive exposure.
Social networks started as websites where people could add
friends and communicate. The first one, SixDegrees, was launched in 1997 and is
considered one of the early social networking sites. It was different from the
previous sites because it was open to the public. The site was originally
designed for a select group, but later expanded to include the entire public.
While Facebook and Twitter are still the biggest social
networks today, there are many other social media websites. For example,
Instagram is a photo-sharing site. While Facebook is the largest social
network, Instagram became one of the first to become wildly popular in just a
few months. Eventually, businesses began to take notice of social media's
potential as a marketing tool, and they quickly began to incorporate these
features into their own websites.
The early days of social media were characterized by the
development of the internet itself. Six degrees, an online social network,
allowed users to build profiles and make friends. It later led to the creation
of blogs and instant messaging. Later, the concept of social networking was
commercialized by LunarStorm.
Today, social networks have become an essential tool for
communication. People can share photos, text, videos, and other content with
each other. Social networking also facilitates the creation of communities and
groups. It also encourages members to participate in discussions, polls, and
exchange comments. As a result, social networking has become a powerful source
of news, without the bias of traditional media.
Some of the first social networking sites were created in the
1990s. One of the most prominent was LinkedIn, which was founded in December
2002. Its original purpose was professional networking. Users could connect
with other people in the field, school, and company they worked for. Though the
site has diversified over the years, its core purpose is still the same: to
connect people.
Although the history of social media is short, its impact is
huge and it is one of the most important ways to stay connected with people
around the world. Today, over 2.62 billion people use social media websites,
and this number is predicted to rise to over four billion by 2025. And as the
technology evolves, new websites will be developed that will revolutionize the
market.
In the U.A.E., 99% of people use social media, making it one
of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Its growth is comparable to
that of computers, smartphones, and the internet. This indicates how quickly
social behaviours can change.