Social media 101: How do I add a share button?

August 26, 9:03 AMSocial Media ExaminerEllie Behling

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If you have a blog or Web site, chances are you want the ability for users to share your content with the social Web. Many Web sites (like this one) offer “share” buttons enabling viewers to share content on popular social networking sites.

Many of those buttons are powered by AddThis and ShareThis, two popular sharing services that are free (requiring registration from ShareThis).

It’s pretty easy to put the buttons on your site (but gets more complicated if you want to customize them). All you have to do is go to the Web sites and follow the instructions. While AddThis might be simpler if you don’t want too many choices, ShareThis allows users to pick and choose the social networking services.

Regardless of the button you go with, most readers of your blog or Web site will recognize it as a universal symbol for sharing content.

If you have Social Media 101 suggestion, let me know. Send your questions to epbehling@gmail.com and I'll answer them (or find someone else on Twitter who will).

Correction: A previous version of this story said you must sign up to use the free AddThis button. Actually you can get the button without registering.