Users "tag" content and the content is "bookmarked" for all to see based on those tags. That kind of information categorization is sometimes referred to as "folksonomy," a hybrid word referring to regular "folks" and "taxonomy," a method of organization.
The whole process is incredibly democratic. Whereas the search engines use top-down approach to sorting and filing data (the program algorithm shows people what it "thinks"), bookmarking is a bottom-up, grassroots system wherein users tell other users what they think and something of a consensus eventually forms.
To those new to the idea, that may sound like information organization anarchy. In a way, it is rather chaotic. That's its greatest pitfall, in fact.
However, bookmarking systems actually perform quite well over time. Organizational patterns naturally develop and the constant human editorial "touch" creates a level of certainty and is grounded in user expectations.
Bookmarking works as a method of organizing, and providing access to, information. Remember, in the end, that's what it's all about. It provides users with a way to see through the search engine games and to avoid individual biases that wither as part of a greater collective whole emerges.
Its popularity, however, isn't just in its ability to make information retrieval easier. There is also an almost subconscious attraction to the community participation and the very human nature of the entire process. Although people use social bookmarking as a way of finding what they want, they also develop an interest and attachment to the process that makes them less likely to utilize other methods.
It's no coincidence that the rise of social media sites is happening alongside the growing popularity of blogging, either. Easy self-publication makes everyone a webmaster and participation in social bookmarking brings people together as a functioning community.
The line of people joining that community has grown into literally millions. Are you ready to set up shop there, or will you just let that potential customer base wander away from you?
When you build your blogs, one of the first things you should do is get that first post into the top 10 PR rated Social Media Bookmarking sites.
Maurice Castle writes about Affordable SEO from his experience providing Affordable SEO Services and advice regarding Local SEO- Learn more go to http://AffordableLocalSEO.com
Tags: internet marketing, seo, seo services, social bookmarking, link popularity, search optimization