Microblogging is a form of blogging that allows users to publish brief text updates, photographs, or audio clips to be viewed by anyone or a restricted group of users. These messages can be submitted by a variety of means, including text messaging, instant messaging, email, digital audio or the web.
The content of a micro-blog differs from a traditional blog in that it is typically smaller in size. A single entry could consist of a single sentence, an image or a brief, ten second video. Its purpose is the same as a traditional blog. Users micro-blog about particular topics such as what they are doing at the moment, areas of interest, such as sports or film, or business topics and products.
Twitter is currently the most popular microblog. Microbloggers can post entries up to 140 characters in length. Users can read these messages online or have them sent directly as a text message to any mobile device. Even social networking websites such as Facebook, MySpace, and LinkedIn give their users the ability to microblog with their status update feature.
Microblogging can be a conversation. For example, on Twitter, you can reply to a post by typing the @ symbol followed immediately by the user name, a space, and then the message.
You can also guide readers to specific content by using hashtags. Putting a hastag in front of a word or string of characters allows users to easily find information about a specific topic. Meeting planners and event coordinators frequently recommend “microblog funnels” so that entries related to the event can be easily found.
Microblogging can serve a variety of purposes. Users can “follow” other microbloggers to see an up–to–date list of recent posts. The people you follow can serve as a filter for the vast amount of online information. They can give you links to look at, share ideas, or answer questions.
Businesses and individuals can use microblogging as a way to share announcements, news, information about new products, reminder messages, or instructions. Microblogging can be very useful for issuing directions or warnings during emergencies. Some universities encourage students to follow an official school Twitter account so they can quickly broadcast a message to all students in the event of an emergency.
