Plugins

In the realm of social media, plugins denote the third-party software components that comprise the toolset used to forge an interactive online experience. The plugins themselves may be thought of as customizable, standalone software that can fulfill any number of functions, thus enhancing the value of the platform for end-users. At their simplest, plugins serve to create a bridge between a social media platform and a website.

For instance, social share plugins make it easy for visitors to share content found on a website to various platforms and networks. However, not all plugins perform the same or even similar functions. Some grant access to the platform's analytics and reporting functions, shedding light on the behavior of an audience, while others serve to automate the acts of posting and engaging with that same audience.

Yet, the very act of using a plugin should not be taken for granted. Although it may seem a simple act bridging a website and a network, in doing so, we become part of a subset of the overall online audience that the platform seeks to engage. Still, the plugins themselves are not some throwback to a time when platforms were riddled with banner ads or recording the goings-on of a 'Top 8' list or our online shopping habits.

Some platforms use plugins merely to grant access to their own functions. Still, other plugins serve to foster a greater unity of user experience by way of audience engagement across platforms.