Social network automation

Social network automation

Social Network Automation refers to tools that are used to semi/automate the process of posting content to social networking and social bookmarking websites. Tools can range from mostly manual and free to semi-automated tools which are either commercial standalone software or paid subscriptions.

Background

Social networking sites (ex: Digg, Reddit, Propeller, etc) run on a virtuous cycle of content (stories, pictures, videos) attracting users who interact with the content (voting, commenting) and who are then inspired to provide new content (original or culled from outside sources), thereby attracting more readers, etc, etc. (see Web 2.0)

While much of the content is submitted by so-called-casual users a significant portion of stories are created specifically for social networking sites. These stores are generally submitted to several sites to maximize the return on investment. (Note that the motivation need not be commercial but may be personal or political (see Ron Paul for President)

To aid people submitting stories to multiple social networking and bookmarking sites, a number of tools have been created.

Mostly-Manual Solutions

These solutions are characterized by the following common attributes:
* Standalone, web based
* Free
* Direct URL submission
* Significant breadth of sites (20 to 70) supported
* Attractive UI
* Lack of workflow
* Low levels of error reporting

Available options include:
* [http://ekstreme.com/socializer/ EkStreme Socializer]
* [http://onlywire.com/ OnlyWire]
* [http://www.socialmarker.com/ Social Marker]
* [http://socialposter.com/ Social Poster]
* [http://www.posttoaster.com/ Post Toaster]

emi-Automated Solutions

These solutions are all commercial software and do not seem to have been reviewed by an independent third party. They seem to all be standalone Windows-only based systems. They all claim to have the following features:
* username/password login
* low number of sites supported (20-30)
* semi/automated site navigation
* historical activity reporting

Available options include:
* [http://www.rss-bookmarker.com Mass Automation RSS Bookmarker]
* [http://www.tagtorank.com/scuttle.php Tag to Rank]
* [http://www.tagautomator.com/index.php Tag and Ping]
* [http://web2submitter.triedtool.com/ Web2Submitter]

Misc Solutions: Buttons

Some vendors offer "buttons" that you can place under your blog posts that will automatically start the submission process for your content or which will more easily allow your readers to find and "vote" for your content on that service. As these seem to be less about automation and more about convenience they have been separated from the automation tools. However, there is some overlap, with some automation providers offering buttons.

Many of the social networking sites also offer buttons, the most commonly seen being, of course, Digg's "Digg This" badge.

Misc Solutions: Toolbars

Many social networking sites also offer toolbars (mostly for Mozilla/Firefox and Internet Explorer) which aid in use of the social sites. These toolbars also offer easier submission of articles to and voting on stories. However they seem to be more about convenience than automation, so they are separated as well. One of the best known toolbars is from StumbleUpon.

Misc Solutions: Fully Outsourced

There are a large number of firms offering fully outsourced solutions for posting content to social networking and bookmarking sites. These are traditional consulting engagements and should be evaluated as such.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Social class — Sociology …   Wikipedia

  • Network centrics — is the emerging discipline of applying and enhancing networking and computing concepts and implementation technologies in a variety of social, business, content distribution, and communication domains involving interactions amongst the domain… …   Wikipedia

  • Automation — (ancient Greek: = self dictated ), roboticization or industrial automation or numerical control is the use of control systems such as computers to control industrial machinery and processes, reducing the need for human intervention. [cite web url …   Wikipedia

  • automation — /aw teuh may sheuhn/, n. 1. the technique, method, or system of operating or controlling a process by highly automatic means, as by electronic devices, reducing human intervention to a minimum. 2. a mechanical device, operated electronically,… …   Universalium

  • National Social Science Documentation Centre — The National Social Science Documentation Centre (NASSDOC), a constituent unit of the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), was established in 1970. The primary objective of the NASSDOC is to provide library and information support… …   Wikipedia

  • Outline of automation — The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to automation: Automation – use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of… …   Wikipedia

  • Wireless sensor network — WSN redirects here. For the metasyntax, see Wirth syntax notation. Typical multi hop wireless sensor network architecture A wireless sensor network (WSN) consists of spatially distributed autonomous sensors to monitor physical or environmental… …   Wikipedia

  • Television network — Not to be confused with television channel or television station. A television network is a telecommunications network for distribution of television program content, whereby a central operation provides programming to many television… …   Wikipedia

  • Smart grid — Public infrastructure …   Wikipedia

  • LABOR — Jewish Labor Organizations IN THE PRE STATE PERIOD Since the last decades of the 19th century, a number of sporadic labor associations have arisen in agriculture and in the printing, clothing, and building trades, as well as groups limited to a… …   Encyclopedia of Judaism

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”