Unit 1
Unit 1
Introduction to Social Media Introduction to Social Media, Social Media Landscape, Social
Media Analytics & its Need. SMA in Small and Large Organisations; Application of SMA in
Different Social Media Platforms. Types of Social Networks, friend, user-generated content,
affiliation, etc., sociograms, sociometric studies Basics of Social Media and Business Models,
Basics of Web Search Engines and Digital Advertising, Application of SMA in different areas.
Social media platforms are online tools that allow individuals and organizations to create, share, and
interact with content. These platforms facilitate communication, collaboration, and community
building, making it easier for people to connect with others around the world.
• User Profiles: Most social media platforms require users to create profiles where they can
share personal information, interests, and content.
• Content Sharing: Users can share various types of content, including text, images, videos,
and links. This content can be shared publicly or with specific groups of people.
• Networking: Social media enables users to connect with friends, family, colleagues, and
likeminded individuals. They can follow, friend, or connect with others to stay updated on
their activities and posts.
• Engagement: Users can interact with content by liking, commenting, sharing, and reacting.
This engagement helps to build relationships and foster community.
• Messaging: Many social media platforms have built-in messaging features that allow users to
communicate directly with each other through private or group chats.
• Groups and Communities: Users can join or create groups based on shared interests,
hobbies, or professional goals. These groups provide a space for discussions, events, and
networking.
• Live Streaming: Some platforms offer live streaming features, allowing users to broadcast
video content in real-time and interact with their audience.
• Facebook: A widely-used platform that allows users to create profiles, share content, join
groups, and connect with friends and family.
• Instagram: A visual-centric platform focused on sharing photos and videos, often with a focus
on aesthetics and storytelling.
• Twitter: Known for its short, concise posts (tweets), Twitter is popular for real-time updates,
news, and public conversations.
• TikTok: A platform for creating and sharing short videos, often set to music and featuring
various creative effects.
• Snapchat: Allows users to send ephemeral photos and videos that disappear after being
viewed, as well as share stories and use various filters.
• Pinterest: A platform for discovering and sharing ideas, often in the form of images and links,
organized into boards based on themes or interests.
• Connectivity: Social media enables people to stay connected with friends, family, and
colleagues, no matter where they are in the world.
• Information and News: Users can access and share news, updates, and information quickly
and easily.
• Marketing and Promotion: Businesses and individuals can use social media to promote their
products, services, and personal brands.
• Community Building: Social media fosters communities around shared interests, providing a
platform for discussions, support, and collaboration.
• Entertainment: Many social media platforms offer various forms of entertainment, from
funny videos and memes to live streams and interactive content.
• Privacy and Security: Users must be mindful of the information they share and take steps to
protect their privacy and security.
• Misinformation: The rapid spread of information on social media can lead to the
dissemination of false or misleading content.
• Mental Health: Excessive use of social media has been linked to mental health issues such as
anxiety, depression, and feelings of isolation.
• Cyberbullying: Social media can be a platform for negative behaviors such as harassment,
trolling, and bullying.
• Global Reach: As of 2025, over 5.2 billion people are active on social media platforms, which
is about 63.8% of the world's population. The top countries with the most active users are
China, India, and the United States.
1. Short-Form Video Dominance: Platforms like Instagram Reels, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts
are leading the trend with quick, engaging video content. Users crave bite-sized
entertainment and educational clips.
3. Social Commerce: Integrating shopping experiences directly into social networks is gaining
traction. Businesses can offer seamless purchasing journeys, increasing conversion rates and
customer satisfaction.
4. Nostalgia Networks: Emerging platforms like Keek and SpaceHey are gaining popularity by
offering authentic content and engaged communities. These networks focus on simplicity,
authenticity, and meaningful engagement.
5. Generative AI: AI innovations are transforming how content is created, personalized, and
distributed across platforms. This is changing the way brands interact with their audience and
manage campaigns.
Social Media Analytics (SMA) is the practice of collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data from social
media platforms to make informed business decisions. Here's a comprehensive overview of the key
aspects of SMA:
1. Data Collection:
o APIs: Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram provide APIs that allow
businesses to extract data systematically.
o Web Scraping: Techniques used to extract data from web pages when APIs are
unavailable.
o Third-Party Tools: Tools such as Hootsuite, Sprout Social, and Buffer aggregate data
from multiple platforms for comprehensive analysis.
3. Data Analysis:
4. Visualization:
5. Actionable Insights:
For small businesses, SMA is a powerful tool that can help them compete with larger companies.
Here are some detailed ways in which SMA benefits small organizations:
1. Brand Building: Small businesses can use SMA to create a strong brand presence. By
analyzing social media data, they can understand what content resonates with their
audience and tailor their posts accordingly.
2. Cost-Effective Marketing: With limited budgets, small businesses need to make every
marketing dollar count. SMA tools help them identify the most effective marketing
strategies, ensuring a higher return on investment.
3. Customer Insights: SMA provides valuable insights into customer behavior and preferences.
Small businesses can use this data to improve their products and services, leading to higher
customer satisfaction and loyalty.
5. Real-Time Feedback: Social media platforms provide real-time feedback from customers.
Small businesses can use this feedback to make quick adjustments to their strategies and
improve their offerings.
Large Organizations
Large organizations have more resources and a broader reach, and SMA helps them manage their
extensive social media presence effectively. Here are some detailed ways in which SMA benefits large
organizations:
1. Reputation Management: Large companies need to maintain a positive brand image across
multiple platforms. SMA tools help them monitor mentions, reviews, and comments,
allowing them to address any negative feedback promptly.
2. Market Trend Analysis: SMA helps large organizations identify emerging trends and
consumer preferences. This information can be used to develop new products and services
that meet market demands.
4. Customer Engagement: With a large customer base, it's crucial for big companies to engage
with their audience effectively. SMA tools help them identify the best times to post, the most
engaging content, and the platforms where their audience is most active.
Regardless of the size of the organization, SMA has several common applications:
Sentiment Analysis: Understanding the sentiment behind social media mentions helps
organizations gauge public opinion and adjust their strategies accordingly.
Influencer Identification: SMA tools can identify key influencers in a particular industry or
niche, helping organizations collaborate with them for marketing campaigns.
Crisis Management: In the event of a PR crisis, SMA tools can help organizations monitor the
situation in real-time and respond quickly to mitigate damage.
Let's dive deeper into the applications of Social Media Analytics (SMA) across various platforms. Each
platform has unique features and audiences, which require tailored analytics strategies.
1. Audience Insights:
2. Engagement Metrics:
o Engagement Rate: Analyzes the percentage of people who have engaged with the
post (likes, shares, comments) out of the total reach.
o Click-Through Rate (CTR): Tracks the number of clicks on links within posts,
indicating the effectiveness of call-to-actions.
3. Ad Performance:
o Cost Metrics: Evaluates cost per click (CPC) and cost per acquisition (CPA) to measure
the return on investment.
1. Sentiment Analysis:
o Trend Sentiment: Analyzes the overall sentiment of trending topics and hashtags
related to the brand.
2. Trend Analysis:
o Topic Trends: Identifies trending topics that are relevant to the brand or industry.
3. Influencer Identification:
o Network Analysis: Maps out the influencer's network to determine their reach and
influence within the industry.
o Post Analytics: Tracks likes, comments, and shares to gauge the effectiveness of
images and videos.
2. Story Analytics:
o View Metrics: Analyzes the number of views and interactions (replies, swipe-ups) on
Instagram Stories.
o Drop-Off Rates: Identifies where viewers drop off in a Story sequence to optimize
content delivery.
3. Hashtag Performance:
o Engagement Analysis: Tracks engagement metrics for posts with hashtags to identify
the most effective ones.
1. Professional Insights:
o Demographics: Provides data on users' job titles, industries, and company sizes.
2. Content Engagement:
o Post Performance: Analyzes the performance of LinkedIn posts, articles, and videos.
3. Lead Generation:
o Conversion Metrics: Tracks the conversion rates of LinkedIn lead generation forms.
YouTube
1. Video Performance:
o View Metrics: Measures the number of views, likes, comments, and shares of
videos.
2. Audience Retention:
o Retention Analysis: Identifies the points in a video where viewers drop off.
o Watch Time: Measures the total watch time and average view duration to gauge
audience interest.
3. Traffic Sources:
o Source Metrics: Tracks where viewers are coming from (search, suggested videos,
external websites).
These platforms are designed for building relationships and connecting with friends, family, and
professionals.
2. Microblogging Platforms
Focused on short-form content, often used for quick updates and real-time engagement.
o Purpose: Upload, share, and watch videos; follow video creators and channels.
5. Messaging Apps
o Purpose: Send messages, make calls, share media, and maintain private
conversations.
7. Blogging Platforms
o Purpose: Create and share blog posts, essays, and articles; follow and engage with
other writers.
o Purpose: Stream live video content, interact with viewers in real time.
Help users save and share links to interesting content across the web.
Sociograms
To elaborate on the application of sociograms in social media, it's essential to delve into the nuances
of how these visual representations are created and utilized in the digital sphere. Here's a more
detailed breakdown:
Data Sources:
o Edges: Edges represent the relationships between nodes. The type of edge depends
on the nature of the relationship. For example:
The weight of an edge can represent the strength of the relationship (e.g.,
frequency of interaction).
Centrality Measures:
Community Detection:
o Algorithms can identify clusters of nodes that are more densely connected to each
other than to the rest of the network. These clusters represent communities or
subgroups.
Network Visualization:
o These visualizations can be complex, and contain many forms of data, being
represented in many different ways.
Information Diffusion:
o Sociograms can be used to track the spread of information, identifying key nodes
that act as "spreaders."
o This is crucial for understanding how viral content, trends, and even misinformation
propagate.
1. Definition: Social media platforms are digital spaces where users create, share, and interact
with content.
4. Impact: Social media influences marketing, politics, education, and personal relationships.
2. Subscription-Based: Some platforms, like LinkedIn Premium, charge users for enhanced
features.
3. Freemium Models: Basic services are free, but users pay for premium features (e.g., Spotify,
YouTube Premium).
5. E-Commerce Integration: Social media platforms enable direct shopping experiences, such
as Instagram's "Shop" feature.
o Web search engines are tools that help users find information on the World Wide
Web. They do this by indexing vast amounts of online content and providing relevant
search results.
o Crawling:
o Indexing:
The crawlers gather information from web pages and store it in a massive
database called an "index." This index allows the search engine to quickly
retrieve relevant information when a user performs a search.
o Ranking:
When a user enters a search query, the search engine's algorithm analyzes
the query and ranks the indexed web pages based on relevance. Factors
influencing ranking include:
Keywords
Website quality
User experience
Key components:
Understanding the basics of web search engines and digital advertising is crucial in today's digital
landscape. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts:
o Crawling:
o Indexing:
The crawlers gather information from web pages and store it in a massive
database called an "index." This index allows the search engine to quickly
retrieve relevant information when a user performs a search.
o Ranking:
When a user enters a search query, the search engine's algorithm analyzes
the query and ranks the indexed web pages based on relevance. Factors
influencing ranking include:
Keywords
Website quality
User experience
Key components:
Digital Advertising:
Ads that appear on search engine results pages (SERPs), often based on
specific keywords.
o Display advertising:
o Video advertising:
Campaign Optimization:
o Track engagement (likes, shares, CTR) to refine ad creatives, timing, and targeting.
o Example: A fashion brand uses SMA to identify which Instagram posts drive the most
website traffic and adjusts its content calendar accordingly.
Audience Segmentation:
Influencer Marketing:
o Measure influencer reach, authenticity, and ROI using metrics like engagement rate
and sentiment.
o Example: A beauty brand partners with micro-influencers after SMA reveals their
higher engagement compared to macro-influencers.
Sentiment Analysis:
o Example: Airlines use SMA to detect frustrated travelers on Twitter and resolve
issues proactively.
Social Listening:
o Example: Starbucks introduced the “Pumpkin Spice Latte” after noticing seasonal
flavor trends on social media.
o Example: A food brand uses SMA to track a product recall backlash and issues timely
apologies.
Competitor Benchmarking:
o Example: Coca-Cola monitors Pepsi’s social campaigns to refine its own strategies.
Feedback Analysis:
o Example: Apple uses SMA to identify iPhone user pain points (e.g., battery life) for
future updates.
Trend Forecasting:
Lead Generation:
o Identify high-intent users (e.g., those searching for “best laptops under $1,000”) for
retargeting.
o Example: Amazon uses SMA to target users discussing specific products on Reddit.
Social Commerce:
o Governments track social media to gauge public opinion on policies (e.g., COVID-19
restrictions).
Crisis Communication:
o NGOs use SMA during disasters to identify affected areas and coordinate relief
efforts.
7. Healthcare
Patient Insights:
o Example: Pharma companies track social media to identify adverse drug reactions.
8. Human Resources
Employer Branding:
Recruitment:
Content Strategy:
o Example: HBO adjusted Game of Thrones marketing based on fan theories and
sentiment.
Audience Engagement:
Viral Marketing:
Techniques: Sentiment analysis, network analysis, machine learning (for predictive insights).