Social news platform Digg launched their new look this week; the updated edition has been eagerly anticipated by many a search marketing company and social media marketing firm. Digg v4 includes “drastic changes” according to founder Kevin Rose. The front end and back end of Digg v4 have both been revamped to be faster and more personalised, says Rose. The latest version of Digg is also intended to make the sharing of information easier than ever before.

Below are some of Digg v4 features:

•Users can now sign into Digg v4 via their Twitter or Facebook accounts

•The submission process has been simplified

•The site offers ability to directly import RSS feeds

•Users can follow friends on Digg v4

•Users can follow preferred publishers and news sources, meaning the news they find on Digg v4 will be more relevant to their interests.

Twitter Tales is the latest “stories” site to be launched by a social networking platform with the aim of sharing its users’ personal experiences. All users are encouraged to share their stories on Twitter Tales, whether they use the network to connect with others, inspire their communities or simply to find solace in 140-character self-expression.

This year, the Google marketing department surprised us by airing a TV commercial during the Super Bowl championship. However, this was by no means a sign that Google would be breaking from their traditional advertising methods. The Parisian Love video had been available on Youtube for some time, and heralded the launch of a series of gorgeous Google “Search Stories”. Twitter Tales aims to promote user interaction in the same way, by demonstrating the creative uses of the platform and how the technology integrates with users’ everyday lives. The Twitter Blog describes Twitter Tales as “a growing set of articles that highlights creative individuals and businesses from all corners of the world that help make Twitter awesome”.

If any of you have seen an image online or in a magazine or newspaper that looks like something that is a mix between those optical illusion posters that you used to have stuck to your wall when you were little and an alternative version of Pacman then this rather strange image you are witnessing is no secret code but rather a QR code. The QR (Quick Response) code is making its mark (literally) as a way for brands to entice the public to access their information and ultimately visit their site.

Basically, you take a picture with your smart phone (your iPhone or Blackberry) and your phone will read a code, therefore giving you access to a weblink and content. QR codes are not new and have actually been around since 1994 but only recently have been used for more social media based interaction and are made by using a QR code generator and downloading the QR code image. According to Wikipedia, they are used to store information received from magazines, signs and business cards and were originally designed for car manufacturing tracking, but it seems that QR codes have turned over a new digital leaf.

Any search marketing agency will emphasise the crucial role social media networking can play in helping their clients establish an online presence and gain recognition. Nowadays it is commonplace to meet industry contacts, business partners and even friends through social media. And of course, Internet dating has drastically altered the way we make romantic connections as well.

Whereas in the past, you might have found your soulmate when your eyes met across a crowded room, these days it’s far more likely that a pretty profile picture will catch your eye in a crowded chat-room or forum. Naturally, Internet dating websites allow you more control over the way you present yourself than a face-to-face social situation, and a growing number of singles looking for love are choosing the safety and anonymity of Internet dating sites over an evening crammed into a noisy, smoky bar or club.

Search marketing specialists will tell you that the social network has become an incredibly useful and important tool for making and maintaining contacts, or keeping up-to-date with the latest information in your field. Whether you’re looking to boost your profits with social network advertising, get the latest news on world events or simply annoy your friends with random messages, the social network provides the ideal platform for online interaction.

The rise of the social network is set to reach a milestone when social networking platform Facebook announces the joining of their 500 millionth user. With 8 percent of the world’s population now active on Facebook, it’s hardly surprising that a Hollywood producer would want to tell the story of the social network giant. That’s right – David Fincher’s movie The Social Network is in post-production and will be opening the annual New York film Festival in September.

At 12 noon on the 9th of June, traffic around South Africa came to a standstill as citizens everywhere spent five minutes producing a joyful racket, celebrating the approach of the soccer World Cup by blowing their vuvuzelas. The plastic soccer horns have been loved by local sports fans for many years and have become one of the most talked-about features of the 2010 soccer World Cup.

Those involved in search marketing services noticed the immediate effect of the “vuvuzela moment” on social networking platforms, particularly Twitter, as the vuvuzela suddenly became the focus of attention throughout South Africa. Hundreds of local fans anticipating the soccer World Cup changed their tweets to “PAAaaAaAaaArrRRrP” and “BzZzzZZbzZZbzzZ” as they joined in the vuvuzela moment. Others tweeted more coherently about welcoming the soccer World Cup and being proudly South African.

Kids are growing up a lot quicker these days. I am still surprised when I spot a 10 year old girl with a full face of make up on, chatting away on her mobile telephone. I always wonder what they are talking about – what can so important that it cannot wait until school starts the next day? I am sure though that I could learn a thing or two from someone 15 years younger than me when it comes to computer technology and social networking because as much as I am connected to the social networking scene, I am sure these kids have tumbled further down the rabbit hole. If kids are walking around with mobile phones attached to their ears 24/7, there is no doubt that they are constantly connected to social networking sites just as much. The issue of social networking safety has always been a prominent one and even though the age requirement for logging onto Facebook is 13, there is no stopping young children connecting to their favourite social networking site and interacting with others who are much, much older.

Online surveys are not something you either love or hate. Well, you either hate them a whole lot, or hate them just a little bit. I am sure that 99.9% of us click on the “close” icon as soon as that little box opens up and blocks our view of what we are looking at, encouraging us to take part in a two minute (more like 22 minute) online survey that will help us more than it will help the company, so they say. Not many of us are fans of taking online surveys and I’m sure that many of us cannot remember the last time we took an online survey and remembered exactly what it was all about three minutes after clicking “done.” The question is, do online surveys really matter? And how can we make online surveys more appealing to individuals who partake in social media? (which is pretty much everyone)

Whether it consists of saving the dolphins or feeding people in Africa, getting social media onto the charity bandwagon can only result in individuals becoming more interested in a cause. However, we all know that charities have to work above and beyond other industries at times in order to gain interest and what better way than to involve themselves in social media in order to get their charities noticed in a world where everyone is always wanting.

I am sure that many of us have taken interest in some charity campaign or action initiative in the past and as social media grows in leaps and bounds, it is easier now to pick a charity and decide if you will fight hand in hand with that particular campaign. Today, supporting charities via social media is as easy as typing a cause into Google and clicking “search.” From that insignificant action, you will be able to join support groups, discussions and follow your charities progress, all by means of Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks and platforms.

I’m fairly new to Twitter myself, but luckily I’m surrounded by a team of Twitter veterans (well, as long as the social site has been around) who have been able to give me some handy Twitter tips and tricks to help me in getting going and making the most of this awesome social and business tool. This article takes a look at the 5 Important Twitter Tips that will help you make you presence known in “Tweetville!”

THE 5 MOST IMPORTANT TWITTER TIPS

Twitter Tips 1: Personalize your profile

When you set up your Twitter profile, be sure to make it personal and human. People really want to connect with other people, that’s what it’s all about. If they get the feeling that they’re simply interacting with an anonymous business owner, or a few different people operating a single business profile, they’ll be less likely to interact. This is one Twitter tip you don’t want to forget. In your Bio, promote yourself rather than your SEO Agency. You can always promote your business this personal profile.