Websites that enable debate and resource sharing inside a tightly categorised and ordered taxonomy are referred to as social bookmarking. Reddit, Digg, and StumbleUpon are examples of popular social bookmarking websites.

Social bookmarking websites have evolved into active online communities in recent years, where users not only share and discuss links, but also form discussion groups based on mutual interests.

How social bookmarking sites function

The topics are divided into various discussion threads or “rooms.” Users can browse or follow certain rooms, and when new content is put in them, they will receive notifications on their personal feeds.

Links, rather than being an end in themselves, serve as a beginning point for knowledge sharing and conversation. One of the key draws of social bookmarking services is the ability to find like-minded people and interact with them over shared interests.

Moderators are responsible for regulating threads to ensure that all user requirements are observed, however the sheer volume of rooms on many sites makes this impossible. As a result, these spaces have a reputation for objectionable content, making direct commercial involvement risky at best.

How social bookmarking may help businesses

Social bookmarking service websites are typically unnoticed by online marketers, yet they can nonetheless provide subtle benefits. While search engines can crawl and archive threads, they are not designed with SEO. Links back to a company’s website are not particularly valuable, but they do help promote brand recognition. Enticing brands or one-of-a-kind sales have the potential to stimulate interaction on topics related to their business.

Interaction with social bookmarking sites

Because bookmarking sites frown on direct advertising, businesses should avoid creating threads (spam is actually one of the few thread types that are commonly removed). If moderators in a community believe that a business’ thread is purely promoting rather than providing helpful or interesting information, there may be a negative backlash.

Encourage discussion by joining the group and connecting directly with people if mentions to your company appear organically on these sites. Maintain a positive online reputation, and users will be more likely to find you in other online venues.