Technology Topics | Social Media - News, Features, and Slideshows

Google didn't just ignore its social network at its developer conference this week, writes CIO.com's Matt Kapko. It's already acting as if Google+ doesn't exist at all.

The social bulletin board can produce consumer buzz and website traffic, but needs better analytics for businesses.

Businesses still struggle to hone in on the most appropriate social metrics. Far too many firms emphasize vanity metrics when there remains little agreement over the true value of a follower, friend, retweet, reblog, pin or like.

An estimated 1,500 developers gathered last week at F8, Facebook's first conference in almost three years, to learn about the latest updates to social network's platform. The atmosphere throughout the event was that of a very grown-up and increasingly serious business.

Now that Twitter has finally made its redesigned profile page widely available, it's time to begin refreshing your profile and make the best of new features. Here are the top changes and tips you should keep in mind next time you use Twitter.

Facebook is taking another run at Snapchat. This time with an app that works more like a boomerang than a slingshot. The app's unique features and silly sounds make for a playful experience, but CIO.com's Matt Kapko writes it's also an awkward, unnatural and never-ending way to live life in the moment.

Snapchat had a rough May, and that's even before taking into account the massive competitive threats it faces from Apple and Facebook. The company has a lot of growing up to do. And it better do it fast.

The digital pin-board of choice for more than 70 million users made two significant steps on the advertising front in as many weeks. With an expanded test of ad products and targeting now underway, you can expect to see more ads as the company aims at online marketers.

Living a genuinely private life in today's increasingly social and interconnected world requires an equal measure of patience, research and ingenuity. Of course, digital marketers say you worry too much.

The road to revenue for ephemeral and anonymous apps like Snapchat, Secret and Whisper is uncharted. How these social apps will ever achieve a level of revenue that would justify their sky-high valuations is foggy at best.