Photobucket is a photo and video sharing website launched in 2003. It has over 99 million users who use the site to share photos and videos, create group albums and slideshows, and edit photos. While the site allows for sharing and creativity, it also collects user information for marketing purposes and there are privacy concerns since anything posted can be viewed publicly. The target audience is typically younger users between 18-24 without college degrees.

1. Social Media Research Project: Photobucket

2. Founded in 2003 by Alex Welch & Darren Crystal Bought by Fox Interactive Media in 2007 Merged with Ontela, Inc. in Dec. 2009 #36 most-visited website Drives 2% of total U.S Internet traffic Background of Photobucket

3. 99 Million Users 45 Million Users worldwire Alexa.com- majority of users are 18-24 years old Have little-no college background Use the site at home or at school Audience

4. Photo, video and album sharing Group albums Photo editor Photobucket’s search engine Scrapbooks Slideshow builder Online gift store What do you use it for?

5. Connects people across distances Encourages interactivity and creativity Affect on User

6. Privacy issues Site collects, stores, and uses information for its own use Contacts user with offers and promotions Posting at your own risk Anyone can view photos on site Future Issues Start charging for services? Problems with Site

7. Audience is more likely to engage in social networking activities than the audiences found on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, or Blogger More likely to upload and view user-captured video than audiences on YouTube, Facebook, or Mysapce More likely to post & View photos online than audiences on Flickr, Shutterfly, or Facebook Advertising and PR

8. I would highly recommend this site! Interactive and “cool” homepage to appeal to younger crowd Overall Thoughts