Online social networking sites like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter all use the concept of connections to build networks. On these sites, users create profiles and then connect with other users they know to build up a network of connections.
Facebook was one of the first major social networking sites to popularize the idea of connections. On Facebook, connections are called Friends. When you sign up for Facebook, you create a profile with information about yourself. You can then search for people you know by name or email address and send them a friend request. If they accept your request, they become your Facebook friend and you both appear in each other’s friends lists. You can also join common-interest groups on Facebook based on your hobbies, job, school, etc. and connect with other group members.
The number of Facebook friends you have represents your network on the site. You can post status updates, photos, videos, and links and your friends will see them in their news feeds. You can also comment on and like your friends’ posts. The broader your Facebook network, the more people you can interact with.
How Facebook friends work
- Send friend requests to people you know
- Once they accept, you become “Facebook friends”
- See friends’ posts in your news feed
- Comment on and react to friends’ posts
- Appear in each other’s friends lists
- Can join common-interest groups together
LinkedIn is a social networking site designed specifically for career and professional networking. Like Facebook, you create a profile on LinkedIn with information about your work history and education. You can then connect with colleagues, clients, classmates, and other professional contacts by sending connection requests.
Once someone accepts your connection request, they become a 1st-degree connection. You can view their profile, see updates they post, and message them directly. Your network of professional connections is very important on LinkedIn, as it represents your professional community.
You can get introduced to new connections through your existing ones. You can also join professional groups on LinkedIn to connect with industry peers. LinkedIn connections are meant to foster professional opportunities like job prospects, speaking engagements, consulting gigs, etc.
How LinkedIn connections work
- Send connection requests to colleagues, clients, etc.
- Connections appear in your 1st-degree network when accepted
- View connections’ profiles and see their posts
- Direct message your connections
- Get introduced to new connections
- Join industry/professional groups
On Twitter, connections are called followers. Unlike Facebook and LinkedIn, connections on Twitter are not reciprocal by default. You can follow any other Twitter user without them needing to follow you back. Your followers represent your audience on Twitter.
When you tweet updates, photos, links, etc. they will show up in the feeds of your followers. But you will not necessarily see posts from accounts you follow in your own feed unless you follow them back. Hashtags allow you to participate in Twitter chats on specific topics even with users who don’t follow you.
While you can send Direct Messages to your mutual followers, Twitter is more focused on broadcasting to your audience than direct back-and-forth interactions. Profiles with more followers can spread their messages wider on the platform.
How Twitter followers work
- Follow other accounts without needing a follow back
- Posts appear in your followers’ feeds
- Don’t necessarily see posts from accounts you follow
- Followers represent your audience reach on Twitter
- Can participate in hashtag chats
- Only Direct Message mutual followers
Comparison of Connections
Here is a table comparing how connections work on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter:
| Site | Connection Type | Interaction Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Friends | Two-way/Reciprocal | Social networking with friends & family | |
| Connections | Two-way/Reciprocal | Professional networking | |
| Followers | One-way (non-reciprocal) | Broadcasting updates to audience |
Conclusion
While Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter all use connection lists as part of their social networking platforms, the way these connections work and their intended purpose varies across the sites:
- Facebook connections represent reciprocal friendships and allow two-way interaction with friends/family.
- LinkedIn connections indicate reciprocal professional relationships and foster career networking.
- Twitter followers represent a one-way audience for broadcasting content.
The common thread is that building more connections/followers expands your reach and amplifies your voice on each platform. But the nature of the relationships and type of interactions supported differ based on the specific networking goals of each site.