I was recently watching one of my favorite shows, Suits on the USA Network, and found myself questioning some of the social entertainment icons in one of their ads (below)—which is part of the network’s newly launched campaign to integrate content and social chatter. As someone who is fully engaged in social media, I was befuddled as to some of the icons. I suddenly felt out of the loop. With my curiosity piqued, I set out to identify the lineup of mystery icons.

1. 16 Social Media Icons That You Must, Should and Might Know
I was recently watching one of my favorite shows, Suits on the USA Network, and
found myself questioning some of the social entertainment icons in one of their ads
(below)—which is part of the network’s newly launched campaign to integrate content
and social chatter. As someone who is fully engaged in social media, I was befuddled
as to some of the icons. I suddenly felt out of the loop. With my curiosity piqued, I set
out to identify the lineup of mystery icons.
This also got me thinking… I can’t be the
only one who sometimes questions the
meaning of the growing library of social
icons.
So, below is a listing of 16 key social media
icons—a glossary of icons, if you will—that
can serve helpful for those not social media
savvy. If you are relatively new to social
media, use this list as a guide to what you
must, should and might recognize and then
set out to use them.
Must Know and Use
Facebook is the world’s largest online social networking website that connects people
and businesses with friends and those of like interests. Great for B2B and B2C
businesses.
LinkedIn is the largest global professional networking website. It allows members to
create business contacts, search for jobs, find potential clients and create groups
based on like interests. LinkedIn is key for individuals, and B2B and B2C businesses.
Twitter is the social networking and micro blogging site that allows users to send 140character posts and real-time updates. Great for thought leaders, and B2B and B2C
businesses.
Google Plus (Google+) is both a social destination and a social layer over Google’s
products and services. It’s the second-largest global social networking site behind
Facebook. This expanding platform is great for B2B and B2C businesses to share
thought leadership and
expertise.
YouTube allows users to easily upload and share video clips across the internet
through websites, mobile devices, blogs and email. Users consist of both individuals,
and B2B and B2C businesses.
Share This is a the most innovative sharing platform allowing users to share great web
and social content. This tool is a must for any website.

2. Blogs are vehicles for individuals and companies to express and share expertise and
thoughts on a particular subject while interacting with followers via comments.
Originally single-author, many blogs are now authored by multiple people/voices at
B2B and B2C organizations.
Should Know and Use
Flicker is a photo management and sharing network gallery that enables users to
upload once and then send to any device, any screen, any friend or any follower. Users
are individuals, and B2B and B2C businesses.
Delicious, formerly Del.icio.us, is a social bookmarking web service for storing, sharing
and discovering web bookmarks.
RSS (Rich Site Summary) Feed is a family of web feed formats used to publish
frequently updated works—such as blogs, news headlines, audio and video—in a
standardized format.
SlideShare is a great tool that offers users the ability to upload and share PowerPoint
presentations, Word documents and Adobe PDF Portfolios, whether publicly or
privately. This tool is great for businesses that present regularly and are looking to
help get their content out to
the masses.
Pinterest is where you go to discover new things and collect stuff you love. If you find
something online that you want to remember or reference again, just “pin it” to your
board. This tool is great for individuals and B2C businesses.
Instagram is a fast and fun way to share photos. It’s as easy as taking a picture or
video, choosing a filter to transform its look and feel and the sharing via Facebook,
Twitter and more.
Might Know and Use
Vine is s mobile service that lets you capture and share short, looping videos. Like
Tweets, the brevity of videos on Vine (6-seconds) inspires creativity in a simple and
fun way.
Vimeo is another video sharing website that allows people to publish their own videos
for public consumption.
StumbleUpon is a discovery engine that finds the best of the web by allowing you to
search and hit only the sites that interest you or fit the criteria you choose.
Blending the Entertainment and Social Interaction Lines
And for those wondering about the icons in the ad, USA Network has stayed true to its
new interactive campaign. They are all icons for social entertainment apps that help

3. to further connect viewers with their favorite TV and entertainment shows. For
reference, the icons in the ad from left to right are:
USA Anywhere app puts the USA social experience at your fingertips. The fee app
takes you to conversations happening while you watch TV and lets you join and share
in real-time.
Zeebox is a free app that helps you discover, connect, share and interact using your
laptop, iPhone, iPad, Android or BlackBerry smartphone—all live as you watch TV.
Shazam is a free app that recognizes music and media playing around you. When users
the Shazam button, they can instantly tag, and then explore, buy, share and
comment.
Viggle is a free interactive TV app for that allows users to check in on TV shows to
make TV watching fun, social and more rewarding.
NextGuide is a free TV guide listing that keeps track of your favorite shows and brings
together live TV with streaming video.
I’d love to hear how you combine social media into your world. What tools and apps do
you use that aren’t listed here? Please share your comments; after all, it’s the social
thing to do.