Getting acquainted with social networks and apps: Tumblin’ through the visual web

Abstract

Purpose – This article explores social networks and apps. Design/methodology/approach – This article provides a survey of the current trends. Findings – Platforms that are part of the visual Web use images, rather than text, as the primary content of a post. Text may appear, but it is secondary to the image, essentially the opposite of a long blog post where the primary content is text with optional pictures placed for emphasis or enhancement. Originality/value – Three social networks in particular – Tumblr, Pinterest and Instagram – each gained more than 10 million visitors over the course of the year in part by catering to a desire for more visually appealing content.