Several unique terms and phrases describe the features of services we review on this site, some easier to grasp than others. This list briefly defines terms relevant to Social Networking Websites.

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Ratings

Networking Features

These features help members connect with other members such as invites, photo galleries and a member search function. Clicking on a member's photo or name should link you directly to their profile page.

Extra Features

Music, videos, blogs, forums and groups are extras offered by a social networking website to enhance the networking experience and keep members coming back for more.

Groups

Members who want to connect with people who share their interests can join or create groups. Regional groups consist of various categories for members who want to join groups close to where they live.

Monitored Content/Security

Content such as cursing, threats, sexually charged language and especially sexually explicit photos and videos can turn up in photo galleries, on members' profile pages, in blogs, forums and groups. Social networking websites that allow people under 18 to join should make every effort to monitor the content posted on their website.

Ease of Use

Joining a social networking website usually consists of providing your name, gender, zip code and an email address. The majority of sites are easy to navigate with a permanent menu toolbar at the top of each page as well as extra links on profile pages.

Help/Support

Social networking members may have technical questions related to setting up their profile pages and navigating the website. Therefore, there should be a large FAQs section to answer all questions related to using the website and an email address for questions not answered by FAQs. Some sites also provide user forums to help resolve problems.

Networking Features

Personal Profile

Personal web page for members that displays information about a member such as name, age, physical description, country/state, relationship status, likes and dislikes.

Customize Skins

The background color or image of a profile page-similar to a computer's desktop wallpaper.

ChatRooms

Online conversations over the Internet that take place in real-time. There can be one or many conversations going on at the same time.

Instant Messaging

Sending real-time electronic messages.

Photos

Photographs uploaded to a social networking site by members.

Invite

An automated message that invites other members to join your network of friends.

Post Comments

A link or textbox allows members to make comments on other members' profiles and blogs.

Tags

Keywords attached to photos and videos when they are posted to a website. Keywords from searches that match the tags will link to the photos and videos.

Browse

Random searches for members by clicking on photo links.

Search

Entering keywords or choosing specific criteria to find members' profiles, music or videos.

Friends

A member of social networking site (member #1) invites another member (member #2) to become part of his/her network of friends. If member #2 accepts the invite, he/she becomes linked to member #1 and all of his/her friends.

Bulletins

A brief announcement of news or opinion posted on the website's homepage or user's profile page.

Block Users

A feature that allows members to block other members from accessing their profile or contacting them.

Groups

Forums for members with shared interests.

Blogs

A personal journal.

Forums

Comments posted on a forum page based on a specific subject.

Mail

Instead of posting comments on a member's profile, you can send them private email messages.

Kid Friendly

The content is free from objectionable material such as curse words, sexually charge language and sexually explicit photos and videos.

Work Friendly

The content may contain minor adult language, but is generally non-offensive. Sexually explicit photos and videos do not appear on the site.

Extra Features

Address Book

A list of contacts that usually appear as photo links on a member’s profile page.

TV On Demand

Television episodes available when you want to watch them; not when the television stations schedule them.

Videos

User-generated videos consisting of various subjects as well as TV clips, commercials and movie trailers.

Music

Social network members can listen to their favorite songs online.

Music Videos

Social network members can watch music videos from their favorite artists.

Games

Online games accessed from a social networking website.

Classifieds

Online classified advertisements.

Events

Announcements of upcoming events like concerts or parties sponsored by the social networking website.

Safety Tips

Section of the website that provides online safety tips for members.

Books

Section of the website dedicated to books.

Horoscopes

Section of the website focused on horoscopes.

International

The website has members in other countries.

Adult Content

Curse words and sexually-charged language.

Explicit Photos

Photographs consisting of nude men and women engaged in sexual contact.

Groups

Regional

Groups categorized by country, state or city.

Technical Help/Support

eMail Support

Email address for customer service or technical support.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

User Forums

Member forums that address customer service or technical support problems.

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