The success of social networking sites like Blogger, Xanga and YouTube has given birth to a new era in Internet usage. A study by Nielson/NetRatings shows that the top social networking sites experienced a 47% growth in the past year with a whopping 367% growth for MySpace.

While this has been taken negatively by doomsayers who predict the worst for children who have access to these networks, it is seen as very positive not only by social scientists (who marvel at this growing technology-savvy social beings) but by online marketers who have found a goldmine for the products and services they offer.

There are endless possibilities for those who wish to cash in on the various social networking sites. You can make as many business contacts, meet new friends, keep in touch with the old ones and earn money on the side. Not bad for something that is both enjoyable and which can be done on your own time.

While Facebook has made impressive strides to compete with the lightning growth of MySpace, it still has a way to go to take down the giant. However, most observers agree that Facebook's more controlled and deliberate growth will be an asset to them in the future. Could there be another social site that may controlled growth plan of it's own? Could there be one looking to specialize in a certain niche like business owners and online marketers.

Google's $900 million investment in MySpace just last year just for the setting up of Google advertising and search facility on the site speaks well of the economic potentials of MySpace.

MySpace and YouTube are both showing their power as an advertising medium buy either hosting live debates or hosting 2008 US Presidential hopefuls' web profiles online. CNN was working with YouTube to air live questions from YouTube users to the candidates as they were on CNN debating.

Even though it seems like there is not ceiling on the growth of the giants of the industry, there are more defined networking sites such as GibLink that have to potential for the same meteoric rise that we have all witnessed from the orignials. The fact that sites like GibLink are specialized gives them a more targeted market than any of the behemoths.

While the internet remains a vast uncharted region that seems to have no boundaries in regards to the amount of money that can be potentially made, it is refreshing to see an company, like GibLink, that has the same potential as any of the giants, give back to the members that have made it what it is and what it will be in the future.

About the Author, James M. Crosswell:

James M. Crosswell writes about his adventures in life and in Internet Marketing at his site. If you would like to read more about GibLink and what it has to offer, feel free to visit. SEO Link directory.