ABSTRACT
Online social networks are complex systems that are traditionally discussed in several different ways, often revolving around either the technology and design of the platforms themselves, or the behaviour and social interactions of the communities that use them. These two areas are often studied as separate topics, but in reality how people interact online is affected and restricted by the functions of the sites they use. Social networking is becoming an important tool for both businesses and creative individuals to find audiences and customers, and it is important to understand how contrasting factors are perceived to affect each other. From a systems ergonomics perspective (Wilson, 2014), how and why people in a particular industry or with a specific goal make use of existing platforms can help to improve the functionality of future designs.
