The most popular social networking site, which enables users to upload, comment on, and view videos and photographs uploaded by other users online. The website, which was established in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, does not charge its users any fees and instead relies on advertising to make money. The word “Facebook” originated from the paper document with names and faces that was distributed to first-year students at colleges and universities to assist them in becoming acquainted with one another. Members may identify other Facebook users using the built-in search feature and “friend” them by inviting them to join Facebook; members can also ask other individuals to join Facebook using this feature (see Faceslam). Facebook allows users to send and receive instant messages, as well as share photos, and for many students, Facebook’s email is the only messaging system they ever use. Timeline/Wall, News Feed, and Ticker are the three components. The section of Facebook known as the Timeline (new format) or the Wall (old format) is the spot where users are able to upload images and videos, as well as post comments, their current status, and their location. The activity of the individuals and organizations that members are following is shown in the News Feed, while users who are particularly engaged get changes to their Ticker in real time. Pages, Groups, and Individual Profiles On Facebook, there are three distinct categories of representation. People establish what is known as a “Profile” on Facebook, which is often a two-way connection with their friends. “Pages” on Facebook are created by companies to advertise their businesses and goods. All of the members of a Page, which is also known as a “Fan Page,” are considered to be fans of the business. However, despite the fact that these people may submit comments, a Page is essentially a one-way broadcast from the company. Additionally, Facebook offers demographic information about its users’ activity. See Facebook Like. The third kind of online presence is a “Group” on Facebook, which may be established by any group of users. Administrators of the group have the ability to approve all members’ requests or to refuse them depending on the criteria set out by the group. Exponential Expansion Facebook was first geared for students at Harvard University, but it was eventually expanded to include students at other institutions and then secondary schools. In 2006, it opened its doors to everyone and introduced a feature called the News Feed, which enabled members to broadcast updates to their pages to other Facebook users who were already part of their network of friends. In 2010, Facebook had more than 500 million users and had been transformed into a customized social news service as a result. After another two years, Facebook reached one billion users, and as of today, the site is used by more than two billion people worldwide. Facebook Platform In 2007, Facebook began providing developers with access to its application platform. By the year 2010, there were more than half a million apps accessible for use in industries like commerce, education, and entertainment. Games have been the most popular kind of content on Facebook, which led to the development of Facebook Credits, which serve as a form of virtual currency that can be spent inside games.
