Social network aggregation

Social network aggregation is the process of collecting content from multiple social network services into a unified presentation. Examples of social network aggregators include Hootsuite or FriendFeed, which may pull together information into a single location[1] or help a user consolidate multiple social networking profiles into a single profile.[2]

Various aggregation services provide tools or widgets to allow users to consolidate messages, track friends, combine bookmarks, search across multiple social networking sites, read RSS feeds for numerous social networks, see when their name is mentioned on various sites, access their profiles from a single interface, and provide "live streams", among other things.[2] Social network aggregation services attempt to organize or simplify a user's social networking experience,[3] although the concept of a "social network aggregator aggregator" satirizes this idea.[4]

Some aggregators perform other duties; for example, some aim to help companies and individuals improve engagement with their brands.[5] Creating aggregated social streams that can be embedded into an existing website and customized to look visually intrinsic to the site allows potential customers to interact with all the social media posts maintained by the brand without moving between websites, which can keep customers loyal to the brand for longer.

  1. ^ Rachael King (2007-06-18). "When Your Social Sites Need Networking". BusinessWeek. Archived from the original on June 20, 2007. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  2. ^ a b Stan Schroeder (2007-07-17). "20 Ways To Aggregate Your Social Networking Profiles". Mashable. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  3. ^ Beth Snyder Bulik (2007-06-18). "Upstart websites aim to consolidate social networking". Advertising Age. The latest trend in the space is aggregation-websites...[which] all present variations on organizing or simplifying a consumer's social-networking experience.
  4. ^ Brian Briggs (2008-03-17). "Social Network Aggregator Aggregator AllMyFrickingFriends.com Launched". BBSpot. Retrieved 2008-04-10.
  5. ^ "Social Network Aggregator Evaluation". University of Birmingham. Retrieved 2024-06-21.