friends social network Websites have been available for use over the Internet since the mid-90s, but it is only recently that social networking sites have become extremely popular among almost all age groups. This is hugely because of the Web 2.0 technology that made the use of social networking websites so much fun and easier. Social networking website design technology has been advancing in leaps and bounds.
The increase in the popularity of social networking sites have made it sprout like mushrooms here and there. More and more developers create new social networking websites that are yet to become the next big thing in the social network industry – and that is something that is not that easy to achieve being that there are already a lot of social networking websites in the market.
Here is a list of the top 10 best social networking websites world-wide:
Digg – This is a social networking website that allows its users to share and look for content from anywhere on the Internet. Digg in my opinion is the best social networking website ever designed.
MySpace – This was launched in 2003, and in just a few years time, it has become the most popular social networking site for teens and even adults. Aside from an interactive profile, users are also allowed to share pictures, videos, music, and blogs through their network.
Facebook – This was initially designed for Harvard students only, but in 2006, it was opened for use publicly. Since then, Facebook has become a very popular social networking site even among professionals. Though it is much like MySpace, Facebook allows you to add different pre-set applications like a chat widget or mini games to your profile.
YouTube – What was primarily a video-sharing website, YouTube is now one big social networking sensation. Aside from just viewing videos, users can now create networks and subscribe to a user and get updated on their latest video upload.
Orkut – Orkut is an online social community designed by Google and named after its creator. Yes even Google is in the social network design game! Similar to most social networking websites, Orkut allows you to send messages to friends, share photos and videos. It also features a Srapbook and Communities where one can create a community of his own of whatever topic he likes. This is the most popular social networking site and Brazil.
Hi5 – Throughout 2007, Hi5 was one of the top 25 most visited websites on the Internet. It is a fast growing social networking website, and much like the rest, Hi5 also features an interactive profile, photo sharing, and it also allows users to join different groups and communities according to their interest.
Flickr – As one of the earliest Web 2.0 applications, Flickr is also an online community aside from being an image and video hosting website. Flickr is a very popular image sharing website and it also allows user to vote for their favorite photos. Photos can either be set to private viewing only, meaning only your contacts can see your photos, or you can also have them stored publicly.