Facebook

Instagram

Instagram is a photo and video sharing platform owned by Meta. Available at instagram.com and through its mobile apps, it lets people post photos, short videos called Reels, and Stories that disappear after 24 hours, giving several visual ways to share moments and keep followers updated. For personal use, Instagram suits people who enjoy visual content. Users can share everyday moments, follow friends and family, and keep up with creators, artists and public figures they admire. Direct messages let people chat privately, react to Stories and share posts with each other. Discovery is a big part of the experience. The Explore page and Reels feed recommend content based on what each person likes and watches, so users regularly find new accounts, ideas and trends beyond the people they already follow. Hashtags and location tags help organise content around topics and places. Instagram is also widely used by creators and businesses. Professional accounts offer insights into how posts perform, and businesses can showcase products, share behind-the-scenes content, run ads and, in some regions, tag products for shopping. This makes the platform a common place for brands to build an audience. The platform therefore supports several related uses, from sharing personal moments and discovering new content to growing a creator or business presence. Its official website is https://www.instagram.com/.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a professional networking platform. Available at linkedin.com and through mobile apps, it lets members create profiles showing their work history, skills, education and achievements, and connect with colleagues, employers and people in their industry. For individuals, LinkedIn suits job seekers and professionals who want to build their career. Members can search and apply for jobs, receive messages from recruiters, ask for recommendations and keep their professional network up to date as they change roles. The feed is a place for professional content. Members share industry insights, articles, career news and opinions, and can follow companies, thought leaders and topics. Groups and newsletters help people connect around specific professions or interests. Businesses use LinkedIn to hire and to build their reputation. Company Pages share updates and job listings, while recruiters use dedicated tools to find candidates. Marketers also run ads aimed at specific job titles, industries and company sizes. The platform therefore supports several related uses, from finding work and networking to recruiting staff and promoting a business to professionals. Its official website is https://www.linkedin.com/.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a visual discovery platform where people find and save ideas. Available at pinterest.com and through mobile apps, it lets users browse images called Pins and save them to boards organised around topics such as recipes, home decor, fashion, travel, weddings or crafts. For personal use, Pinterest suits people who are planning a project or looking for inspiration. Users collect ideas over time, organise them into boards and return to them later, which makes it popular for planning events, renovations, outfits and meals. Search plays an important role. People search Pinterest much like a search engine, and the platform recommends related Pins based on interests and saved content. Because many Pins link back to the original website, a single Pin can send visitors to a blog, shop or recipe page long after it was first posted. Businesses and creators can open business accounts to publish Pins, view analytics and run ads. This makes Pinterest a useful traffic source for bloggers, online shops and brands whose products or ideas are visual. The platform therefore supports several related uses, from collecting personal inspiration to driving visitors to websites and promoting products. Its official website is https://www.pinterest.com/.