Social media giants from the past to the future
Social media is used by billions of people around the world today and has become an integral part of our lives. As two of the most popular social media platforms in the world, Facebook and Twitter are tools that millions of people use frequently in their daily lives. These platforms allow users to connect, share ideas and communicate with each other. However, Facebook and Twitter have gone through a big change since day one.
In this content we discuss the development, areas of use, social and political effects and future of Facebook and Twitter. Read on to learn more about how these platforms have evolved and what they offer.
Development of Facebook
Facebook was founded in 2004 at Harvard University by Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, Andrew McCollum, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes. Originally known as “TheFacebook”, the platform was especially popular with students. Then, in 2005, he received a $500,000 investment from his first investor, Peter Thiel.
In 2006, Facebook became available only to students and the News Feed feature was launched. This made it easy for users to monitor their friends’ updates and activities. In the same year, Facebook became available abroad for the first time and Spanish was added, the first language other than English.
Facebook has put a lot of effort into becoming a platform that users can access on their mobile devices as well. In 2007, Facebook released an app for iOS devices and later began offering apps for Android and other mobile operating systems as well. In 2012, Facebook became a publicly traded company with a market cap of over $100 billion.
In 2015, Facebook launched the Facebook Live feature, which enables live video broadcasting. This meant that users could live stream anything from anywhere. In 2018, Facebook was rocked by the Cambridge Analytica data scandal. This scandal exposed the misuse of users’ personal data and raised more questions about Facebook’s privacy policies.
In 2020, Facebook launched Messenger Rooms, a video conferencing app that makes it easier for people to connect with friends and family during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, Facebook has also introduced the WhatsApp Business app so that companies can better communicate with their customers.
The rapid development of Facebook and the increase in the number of users changed the business model of the company. Ads have become Facebook’s main source of income. Facebook enables better targeting by offering advertisers advertising options based on audience demographics, interests, and behaviors.
Twitter development
Twitter was founded in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams. The platform, first known as “twttr”, was renamed “Twitter” a few months later and quickly gained popularity. Twitter’s goal was to allow users to share their thoughts and connect with their followers by sending text messages (“tweets”).
In 2007, Twitter won first prize at the SXSW Interactive conference, which contributed to the popularity of the platform. In the same year, Twitter also launched its mobile app, which allows users to tweet from anywhere.
Twitter became a popular social media platform in 2009, with the company valued at more than $1 billion. In 2010, Twitter launched the Trending Topics feature. This allowed users to follow the most popular topics. In the same year, Twitter changed its advertising strategy and launched its “Promoted Tweets” advertising product.
In 2012, Twitter had 200 million users and began preparations to become a publicly traded company. In 2014, Twitter became a publicly traded company and its shares traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Twitter continued to offer innovative features and apps over time. In 2015, Twitter launched the video sharing app called Vine. Later that year, Twitter acquired the Periscope feature, which allows for live video broadcasting. In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Twitter launched Spaces, a Zoom-like video conferencing app.
Twitter has also made changes to its advertising and revenue models. In addition to advertising products such as sponsored tweets and sponsored accounts, Twitter offered analytics and measurement tools to help advertisers better understand their audience. In addition, Twitter has made the platform more secure, paying more attention to the privacy and data security of its users.
Differences from Facebook and Twitter
Facebook and Twitter are two of the most popular social media platforms in the world. Both allow users to connect, communicate and share content with each other. However, both platforms have different features, business models and users.
Areas of use and target groups:
Facebook is primarily used to connect with friends and family, share personal information, and track your interests. Companies and advertisers choose Facebook to reach their target audience and increase customer interactions. Twitter is used to follow news, follow current affairs and conversations and share ideas and thoughts. Twitter is also a platform dedicated to journalists, politicians, writers and other professional users.
Business Model and Revenue Sources:
Facebook’s main source of income is advertising. Facebook enables better targeting by offering advertisers advertising options based on audience demographics, interests, and behaviors. In addition, Facebook also owns a virtual reality company called Oculus. Twitter generates revenue by offering advertising products such as Featured Tweets, Featured Accounts, and Featured Trends. Twitter also generates revenue through data licensing and data sales.
Advertising and data privacy:
Facebook has brought a lot of discussion about advertising and data privacy. Facebook uses user data for ad targeting. However, incidents such as the misuse of user data and the Cambridge Analytica data scandal have raised questions about Facebook’s data privacy policy. Twitter has also been criticized for its ad and data privacy issues. However, Twitter has followed a policy that puts more emphasis on the privacy of its users.
Social and political effects:
Both Facebook and Twitter are also known for their social and political influence. Facebook has been criticized in recent years for spreading fake news and exposing users to political propaganda content. Twitter is also a platform often used for political and social unrest.
Social media and the future
Social media has undergone major development in recent years and has become an important part of users’ lives. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter have made it easy for people to connect, interact and share ideas with each other. However, there are also uncertainties about the future of social media.
Many people are concerned about the impact of social media on our societies and the consequences it will have in the future. Some argue that social media weakens real bonds between people and increases loneliness, while others think social media unites people even more.
Another uncertainty about the future of social media is the development and innovation of technology. New technologies can change the way social media works and how we interact with people. For example, technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality and artificial intelligence can play an important role in the future of social media.
However, social media companies have started taking steps to create a more secure and transparent environment in the future. Facebook and Twitter, for example, are trying to gain users’ trust by giving greater importance to user privacy. In addition, social media companies try to prevent the spread of harmful content by using technologies such as artificial intelligence and automatic content control.
In conclusion, while the future of social media is still uncertain, social media platforms and technology companies are working to protect users’ security and data privacy. Social media platforms are expected to become more secure and transparent in the coming years. It is also a matter of curiosity how social media will evolve with new technologies. Social media seems to make it easier for people to connect, communicate and share ideas with each other in the future.
What is the main difference between Facebook and Twitter?
Facebook is mainly used to manage your personal connections, connect with friends and family, track your interests and exposure to advertisements. Twitter, on the other hand, is used to follow news, track current events and conversations, share ideas and thoughts, and interact with your followers.
When did Facebook and Twitter originate?
Facebook was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg. Twitter was founded in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone and Evan Williams.
What are the business models of Facebook and Twitter?
Facebook’s main source of income is advertising. Facebook enables better targeting by offering advertisers advertising options based on audience demographics, interests, and behaviors. Twitter generates revenue by offering advertising products such as Featured Tweets, Featured Accounts, and Featured Trends. Twitter also generates revenue through data licensing and data sales.
What are the social and political implications of Facebook and Twitter?
Both Facebook and Twitter are also known for their social and political influence. Facebook has been criticized in recent years for spreading fake news and exposing users to political propaganda content. Twitter has similarly been criticized for fake accounts and misleading content spread by bots.