Every day it seems like there is a new app that will help people connect with one another in real time, regardless of distance, location or even language. Some channels are subscription based, like Twitter and Facebook while others are formed based on physical location, such as YakYak. The general purpose of social media from a corporate perspective is to foster engagement with clients to increase brand recognition and loyalty. From a user’s perspective the allure of social media is not just the ease of use but also the sense of community. Finding people you can relate to, either with like interests or through a chance encounter allows human interaction on a global scale.
Where will this all lead? The news is full of the power of social media. It’s been used to reunite a kidnapped newborn with her mother and has made two men lifelong friends who, despite an odd meeting have shared an unbelievable adventure that caught the eye of celebrities like Ellen. More and more frequently people are turning to social media for information before checking other media sources. Breaking news is tweeted and shared by major networks like CNN and disseminated by individuals more quickly than the networks could manage just on their own.
People are becoming increasingly dependent on their social media sources to provide them with information, not only about events but also recommendations ranging from where to eat to which products to buy. People in an unfamiliar city turn to apps like Yelp and TripAdvisor to find restaurant recommendations. Soon sites will further this purchasing power to increase usership. The potential for collaboration is staggering.
Think of Pinterest for an example. What if when you see something you like instead of simply pinning it you were given the option of buying it from within Pinterest? Rather than being diverted to an external website and having to wade through all the other items for sale you could just click the sale link and complete the transaction quickly and easily. 
It’s already happening in fact. According to this Shopify article the majority of sales traffic is being diverted to sites via Facebook, with Reddit and Polyvore, a community style site, also contributing.
What about you? Have you ever purchased anything via social media? Would you? I know some people who distrust all levels of online commerce and refuse to even bank online whereas others jump right in without questioning how secure the server is. Where do you land on this scale?
Algonquin College Social Media Certificate Program 