Social networking service

A social networking service (also social networking site, SNS or social media) is a platform to build social networks or social relations among people who share similar interests, activities, backgrounds or real-life connections. The variety of stand-alone and built-in social networking services currently available in the online space introduces challenges of definition; however, there are some common features: (1) social networking services are Web 2.0 internet-based applications, (2) user-generated content (UGC) is the lifeblood of SNS organisms, (3) users create service-specific profiles for the site or app that are designed and maintained by the SNS organization, and (4) social networking services facilitate the development of online social networks by connecting a user's profile with those of other individuals and/or groups. Most social network services are web-based and provide means for users to interact over the Internet, such as e-mail and instant messaging. Social network sites are varied and they incorporate new information and communication tools such as mobile connectivity, photo/video/sharing and blogging. Online community services are sometimes considered a social network service, though in a broader sense, social network service usually means an individual-centered service whereas online community services are group-centered. Social networking sites allow users to share ideas, pictures, posts, activities, events, and interests with people in their network.