What Is Considered Social Media? Everything You Need to Know Before You Dive In
Are you wondering what’s included under the umbrella of “social media,” how it works, and why having a social media marketing strategy is crucial before you sign up on a new platform? You’ve come to the right place.
As your friendly, neighborhood digital marketing agency, we’re here to answer your questions. In this guide, we’ll explain what is considered social media, highlight popular platforms, explore key benefits for businesses, and address some of the most common FAQs. Let’s get started.
Table of Contents
- What Is Considered Social Media?
- Popular Social Media Platforms
- The Origins and Evolution of Social Media
- How Social Media Works
- Applications of Social Media in Business
- The Benefits of Social Media
- Answering Your Questions
- Our Final Thoughts on What Is Considered Social Media
What Is Considered Social Media?
When people talk about social media, they’re referring to websites and applications that emphasize communication, interaction, and collaboration. These platforms revolve around community-based input, content sharing, and user-generated material.
Individuals use social media to keep in touch with friends, family, and various communities. Meanwhile, businesses use it to promote products, address customer concerns, monitor competitors, and gain insights through engagement. Business-to-consumer (B2C) sites often incorporate social components and use analytics tools to measure leads and overall customer sentiment.
Popular Social Media Platforms
When asking “what is considered social media,” it’s helpful to know which platforms are most widely used. Some of the biggest names include:
- Facebook: With 3.03 billion monthly active users, Facebook is a go-to platform for both casual users and businesses, thanks to robust advertising tools.
- TikTok: Its rapid rise in popularity has led to 1.05 billion users, making it a preferred choice for short-form video content.
- Reddit: With 1.66 billion users, Reddit excels at community-driven discussions on virtually any topic.
- Instagram and Snapchat: Combined, they attract 2.83 billion monthly users, especially among younger generations.
- LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter): Frequently used for professional networking, industry updates, and real-time news.
- YouTube: Remains the top video-sharing platform, also classified as social media due to its sharing features and community interaction.
The Origins and Evolution of Social Media
To fully grasp what is considered social media, it helps to look at how these platforms started. Initially, social media served as a way to connect with friends and family. By 2004, MySpace became the first social network to reach one million active monthly users.
Before long, the introduction of platforms like Facebook and X opened the door for businesses to leverage social media as a global marketing tool. Today, social networking is an integral part of any robust digital marketing strategy, reflecting how frequently people use social apps and websites in their daily lives.
How Social Media Works
While each social networking platform has unique features, most share core elements that define how they operate:
- Profiles: Users typically need a personal or business profile to interact (commenting, sharing, messaging). Browsing without an account often limits interaction.
- Sharing Content: Whether it’s text, images, or video, the essence of social media is sharing information with a network of followers or friends.
- Direct Messaging: Many platforms prioritize private messaging as a primary form of user interaction.
- Timelines and Feeds: Posts from accounts you follow, along with suggested content and ads, appear in a single, continuously updating stream.
- Algorithms: Each platform uses an algorithm to curate and prioritize content, aiming to display the most relevant or engaging posts first.
Applications of Social Media in Business
Modern businesses rely on social networking platforms for various purposes, from promotion to recruitment. Below are some key applications for organizations looking to capitalize on social media:
Social Media Analytics
Through social media analytics, brands gather and evaluate data from their accounts to inform strategic decisions. One popular method is sentiment analysis, where machine learning tools assess text content to determine if it’s neutral, positive, or negative. These metrics help businesses understand customer feelings and improve their strategies accordingly.
Social Media Marketing
Social media marketing aims to boost a company’s brand awareness and reach by crafting share-worthy content. It aligns closely with broader digital marketing strategies, leveraging platforms where audiences naturally spend their time.
A vital component of this approach is social media optimization, which drives traffic to a website through engaging posts, clickable links, and shareable resources. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn allow businesses to advertise products and services to highly targeted audiences.
Recruiting
Many organizations also use social media to attract new talent. This can involve posting job opportunities, engaging with potential candidates, and showcasing company culture. With a well-crafted marketing strategy, social recruiting expands your pool of applicants far beyond your local area.
The Benefits of Social Media
While social networks can pose challenges if misused, they offer a variety of advantages for both individuals and businesses when leveraged effectively. Let’s explore these benefits:
Easier Communication
Thanks to social media, consumers can quickly reach their favorite brands, and companies can promptly address inquiries. This real-time interaction builds trust and fosters stronger customer relationships.
Making Brands More Relatable
A creative marketing strategy can humanize your brand, allowing you to connect with audiences on a deeper, more personal level. Social media effectively brings out the “voice” of your business, making you more relatable and approachable.
Promoting Content
Whether you use Facebook Ads or another advertising platform, social media is a powerful channel for distributing diverse content types. Businesses can reach global audiences with targeted messaging, boosting brand exposure and driving traffic.
Generating Leads
Social networks have evolved into robust lead-generation tools, offering clear calls to action and paid advertising options. These features make it easier than ever to guide users through the sales funnel, from awareness to conversion.
Answering Your Questions
What is social media listening?
Social media listening involves monitoring relevant conversations across networks to understand the general sentiment around your brand, industry, or competition. This practice helps businesses respond effectively and improve their strategies based on real-time feedback.
What is social media marketing?
Social media marketing leverages platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and more to engage customers, drive website traffic, and increase sales. It often includes creating targeted content, running ads, and fostering community interactions.
What is social media management?
Social media management is the process of creating, scheduling, and monitoring posts across various platforms. It focuses on nurturing and growing your audience while maintaining consistent branding and messaging.
Is YouTube considered social media?
Yes. YouTube qualifies as a social media platform because it allows users to share video content, interact through comments, and form online communities around specific interests.
What is a social media handle?
A social media handle—or username—is your unique identifier on each platform. Handles help people find and follow your account, whether you’re an individual or a business.
Our Final Thoughts on What Is Considered Social Media
We hope this guide clarifies what is considered social media and how these platforms function. From Facebook to LinkedIn, all social networks strive to foster communities and connections in their own unique ways.
If you want to unlock the full potential of social media for your business,
get in touch with us. We’ll craft a tailored marketing plan that employs a variety of strategies to elevate your brand, engage your audience, and drive real results.
