There are many forms and functions in the expanding realm of social media and Web 2.0. While we have spent some time describing, defining and analyzing social media on this blog, we have yet to really delineate the different applications SMM can have and what it means for users and businesses alike.

Here is a simple yet comprehensive breakdown of various social media types, and their application, so you can better understand what services, features and networks will work best for your online enterprise, satisfying its purpose and goals.

While some social media applications may overlap each other in terms of their overall use and value, we found social media services and sites could be lumped together into several specific categories:

1. Communication

While all social media is a form of communication, this application generally focuses on updating the status of an individual, group or business on a consistent basis. Usually, communication-oriented applications are exclusive to private networks, providing members with specific information relevant to them. It’s up to the person or people running that application to decide what information is made public and confined to a certain set of registered users.

Examples:

  • Microblogs like Twitter that allows invited friends and associates to follow your every move as you report.
  • Social Networking sites like Facebook, Myspace and LinkedIn that provide a means for your network to interact with you and receive updates on upcoming events as they are announced.

2. Collaboration

These applications rely on the input of other users to create, rate or respond to content. While some of these applications may have a team of editors or moderators determining the scope and tone of the entries, they are typically free and involve a large number of users contributing at one time.

Examples:

  • Wikis like Wikipedia.
  • Social bookmarking sites like Stumble Upon and del.ici.ous.
  • Social News Sites like Digg and Reddit.

3. Multimedia

While multimedia can be found in nearly all forms of social media, there are several social media applications dedicated to its presentation.

Examples:

  • Photosharing sites like Flickr.
  • Video streaming sites like YouTube.
  • Livecasting and Podcasting found throughout the web on individual blogs.

4. Entertainment

There are some applications specially dedicated to offering users a unique entertainment experience, unique to that particular site or service.

Examples:

  • Virtual Worlds like Second Life
  • Massively Multiplayer Games like World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, etc.

5. Other/Specialty

These applications are usually geared towards a site-specific purpose and are narrowly focused on a common topic or service. Many apps of this nature are created based on certain requirements requested by a client, and therefore it is more likely the app’s host has more control over it than other forms of social media.

Examples:

  • Social ads
  • Interactive polls
  • Health care apps

Once again, many forms of social media encompass several of these types, utilizing multimedia or site specific features in communicative and collaborative ways. This breakdown is not meant to be a rigid system; it just outlines the major functions a social media application may have.

Can you think of any other examples or categories we might have missed? We would love to have your input, so feel free to contribute to the comments below.