> TikToc is content creators sharing their videos with the whole world.
Seems like a "social"ly focused way of producing/consuming a particular kind of "media".
In all seriousness, I think the defining characteristics of social media for me include:
- a social graph, I can follow other entities, and they can follow me
- bottomless, user produced content and feeds
- interactive commentary and messaging between users
- promotion algorithms, where the endless content is filtered and promoted, potentially leading to something going "viral", including by those who aren't in my immediate social network
- a focus on sharing content between users
- some form of voting, liking, or reacting
I don't think something needs all of the above to be considered social media. Some things ride the line quite a bit: a Discord server, if small between friends, probably doesn't qualify and is closer to a group chat. A large Discord server with lots of users who don't know each other? Probably counts. HackerNews, and other message boards? You could make an argument either way, but in HN's case, I'd say it is social media.
Seems like a "social"ly focused way of producing/consuming a particular kind of "media".
In all seriousness, I think the defining characteristics of social media for me include:
- a social graph, I can follow other entities, and they can follow me - bottomless, user produced content and feeds - interactive commentary and messaging between users - promotion algorithms, where the endless content is filtered and promoted, potentially leading to something going "viral", including by those who aren't in my immediate social network - a focus on sharing content between users - some form of voting, liking, or reacting
I don't think something needs all of the above to be considered social media. Some things ride the line quite a bit: a Discord server, if small between friends, probably doesn't qualify and is closer to a group chat. A large Discord server with lots of users who don't know each other? Probably counts. HackerNews, and other message boards? You could make an argument either way, but in HN's case, I'd say it is social media.