The internet started off as a digital portal where users could share data and soon evolved into a widely accessible platform for learning information and accessing services.
The world’s first social media was devised in 1997 and in the last two decades, these types of sites have certainly transformed from places to connect (whether it be for businesses or with peers, friends and family), into a thriving melting pot of shareable content.
The capabilities of social media in the modern digital environment
In 2023, you can find social media platforms that prioritise content in a host of niches, including business, lifestyle and entertainment, but all have the same core goal of connecting users around the world. Where many began their journeys with the intention of providing a service with unparalleled levels of communication, plenty have moved into areas where content can be created and shared to appeal to significant demographics.
In the last decade, developers have shifted their focus towards consumerism and supporting the modern user's need to learn about and interact with a wide array of goods and services. As a result, e-commerce was one of the emerging sectors seeing growth on social media at this time - and with 2.64 billion people now shopping online worldwide, it's simple to see why.
One of the surprising things is that social media doesn't just offer the potential for large brands and businesses, but it also gives individuals, entrepreneurs and new startups alike just as many capabilities as even the most well-established names.
Can the right social media platforms make you money?
In short, the answer is yes, as long as you have the right business model or concept, select the right channels for your audience and have the ability to curate impactful content. As almost anyone can now create an array of social media platforms and begin to generate revenue from multiple avenues (including affiliate marketing, profile monetization, ads, merchandise, and anything in between), there are some significant benefits to be enjoyed for the right person or business.
One of the fastest ways to make money on social media is for a post to go viral. What this means is that if an image or video you create gets over five million views in less than a week, you could end up making money from ads, brand deals and more.
It doesn't have to be difficult either, and with , it can be so simple to find and edit both photo and video templates to create a strong brand image and make the content you provide of professional quality with a fraction of the effort and none of the cost.

If you are looking to start up a business or grow your current capabilities, social media is a fantastic place to reach audiences around the world with as little as the right marketing campaign.
As a leading photo and video editing software provider, CapCut makes it so simple to create stunning imagery and even make your content more shareable, with and online photo and video editing tools to meet virtually any niche.
As everything is available for free, you will minimise your outgoings while maximising your profit potential, whether you offer digital products and services or physical ones.
To find out more about the free CapCut editing software, visit the website .
Some of the services offered by CapCut are offered free of charge, whilst other services require payment before you can use them. Please see the for more information about the terms and conditions of usage.