Social media has become a method for companies to market their products. Currently, some social media sites are turning anyone’s Tweet, Facebook post, Pinterest image or e-mail into a possible paid promotion. If users “drop a link onto Twitter about a pair of shoes that they’re dying for… they could actually be rewarded.”

This marketing technique is known as affiliate marketing, aka word of mouth revenue opportunities. If a friend on Facebook shares a product, it is likely one of their friends will look at the product. By having a friend recommend something, the advertising is less likely to be ignored or viewed as spam.

The purpose of social media is to provide a means for users to stay in contact with their friends and family. However, social media is a great opportunity for businesses to market to their customers.

I think affiliate marketing is a good way to attract customers and keep them in the loop of new products. Nevertheless, social media’s main purpose should be a means for users to communicate with one another. If social media becomes more advertisements-heavy, it may not be used anymore. Thus, there needs to be a balance.

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