An online community is defined as a virtual space within a website where users can interact using various social tools such as forums, chat rooms, mailing lists, and polls, thus sharing a common interest. For a community to be authentic, it generally requires regular exchanges, established rules of operation, and a strong sense of belonging among its members. These communities can be autonomous or integrated into a larger platform.
The essential characteristics of an online community are represented by the PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) hexagon. Whether social networks can be considered communities is a subject of debate, with some arguing that most are too general to foster a genuine sense of belonging and the sharing of specific interests.
A concrete example of an online community would be a group of photography enthusiasts meeting on a forum dedicated to this art, exchanging advice, tips, and sharing their work.
Return to the glossary index