At its core, social media is about sharing information. If the billions of people who use social media regularly can be trusted, it is safe to say that the modern person enjoys sharing.
Let’s take, for instance, some of these platforms. The following levels of engagement can be expected on a typical day:
Socializing is a fundamental human ability. It should not surprise anyone that social media networks have a wide reach and impact. A cell phone is an extremely powerful social tool many carries with us. More than 9 out of 10 Americans have cell phones. Smartphones are one of the most popular ways to socialize. They include mobile apps and internet connectivity. The camera is one of the most important aspects of a smartphone that allows for social sharing.
A lot of shared content is generated by cameras. Facebook reported that 350 million photos were uploaded daily to its platform in 2013. In a matter of years, smartphones have provided millions with digital cameras and enabled people to share their photos easily.
One of the key elements of the most popular social network is photo sharing. Facebook was initially a photo directory. Although it has grown in scope over time, photos remain the most important type of content on the network.
Facebook acquired Instagram in 2012. Unlike other networks, Instagram was the first social network to focus exclusively on photography. Users could upload one photo to the app. Users could follow other accounts, and the photos appear in a chronological feed. This simple idea of sharing photos has made Instagram a billion-dollar company in just two years.
It’s not unusual to find users following multiple accounts on popular photo-sharing sites. Users can view the award-winning National Geographic photography, what a neighbor had for breakfast, and celebrity cats gathered in one feed. Photo-sharing apps have helped individuals build their brands. This is the power of the photo.
Photos offer the same benefits as a language but without translation. Photographs are not required to be translated into languages to reach a worldwide audience. It is the most universally understood form of communication.
Photo sharing has evolved to become a collaborative experience. Users can create private or public albums on several platforms. Contributors can then add their photos to the album. The photo-sharing experience does not limit to friends, family or strangers.
