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When we’re out in the real world, interacting with friends, family, co-workers and strangers, there are unspoken rules that guide us. Yet as we move our social interactions online, especially to social networking websites, do the same rules of etiquette apply?

Typically different rules of netiquette apply, depending on the site. These differences are because each site has different functions and goals. For instance Twitter, which focuses on the sending of brief text messages, has different netiquette than LinkedIn, which focuses on keeping businesses and professionals connected.

So here are a few rules of netiquette for Facebook and Twitter, the most popular social networking sites. However, many of these rules could easily apply to sites like MySpace, YouTube, and Friendster.

Facebook

1. Asking a stranger to become your friend without a proper introduction is generally discouraged. If you want that person to join your nework, explain the reason and who you are.
2. Pestering your friends to join a fan page, group, cause or application will likely only result in annoyance, not new members. Send the invitation once. If they don’t accept, drop it.
3. Posting uncomplimentary pictures of friends and tagging them can lead to problems. Employers and police officers have been known to review social networking sites. Do you want to be responsible for a buddy losing a job opportunity?
4. Accepting every friend request isn’t necessary. Some people are selective about who they want viewing their personal information. If you’re worried about rejecting someone, leave the request alone. You may learn more about the person later and decide to accept the request.
5. Using your personal Facebook account to market a book, software, or any other product is frowned upon. If you want to advertise, create a Facebook page and invite your friends to join. (Remember, don’t pester them!)
6. Linking your Facebook account to your Twitter account can be tricky. If you’re not careful, you may spam your friends’ news feed with too many messages. If you’re an avid Twitter user and can’t control the flow of messages to Facebook, unlink the two.

Twitter

1. Learning Twitter’s slang and tags is recommendable. The more you understand how to properly use them, the less you’ll embarrass yourself.
2. Stating your message in 140 characters or less can be challenging, but take the time to spell properly and minimize abbreviations. Contrary to popular belief, spelling and a clear message count.
3. Following a user that follows you is optional. Don’t feel that you must follow everyone that follows you. At a minimum, look at the profile of the person before you decide. If their following’ count is significantly greater than the ’followers’ count, it’s probably best to leave well enough alone.
4. Constantly promoting yourself and your work will cause you to lose subscribers quickly. Strike a balance with the occasional tweet of your product or service and a steady stream of relevant and interesting content.
5. Repeatedly requesting to have your information retweeted is annoying. If your followers find your content interesting and relevant, they will retweet it.
6. Using Twitter as your conversation tool can be tricky. The occasional reply using ’@’ is fine, but holding a lengthy conversation using the tag isn’t acceptable. Use direct messages.

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