Rachel

INTRODUCTION

With the help of digital communities, the gaming communities have expanded into expansive central hubs for players worldwide to connect, collaborate and compete within games (Goncalves et al. 2023). However, it can be seen in recent years that there has been a shift within the gaming community. The gaming community's emphasis on play and camaraderie has started to become overshadowed by the growing trend of monetization of games. This change poses intriguing questions about the further development of the gaming community along with the impact of commercial interests.

In the beginning, Goncalves et al. (2023) state that the main role of gaming communities is for players to enjoy games together for entertainment purposes. From online forums to interactive game sessions, players are able to experience fictional worlds, complete missions in games and even forge friendships with each other. The rise of monetization in games, however, has created a new trend within the communities, disrupting the usual dynamics where players come together for the pure reason of enjoying games together.

THE EFFECTS OF MONETIZED GAMES

One of the prominent reasons for the shift in social gaming is the popularity of microtransactions and in-game purchases that can be made. Gaming communities are becoming increasingly interconnected with the economic structure of the games. Various virtual currencies, cosmetic skins, and premium items that are being monetized have created a world where the act of playing and gaming is now tied to the act of making financial transactions using real money. According to Markopoulos (2018), the game Clash of Clans uses four types of in-game currencies Gold, Elixir, Dark and Gems, where Gems are the most valuable but can only be purchased with real money. As some players wish to progress faster in the game and level up, they purchase Gems with their real-world money (Markopoulos 2018). As a result, these monetized features have created a dichotomy within the gaming communities, with some players embracing these microtransaction features while other believe that it disrupts the play of the game.

Competitive gaming, better known as e-sports, has also played a part in the monetization of games. Although e-sports has provided a platform for players to showcase their skills and talents in the game and even garner a huge following, the commercialization of these competitions have added a business aspect of it to gaming communities. According to Steinkuehler (2020), sponsorships, advertising deals and prize pools that can cost up to millions have turned e-sports into a profitable industry for businessmen and investors. However, this business model has now blurred the lines between passionate play and profit-driven motives for players and gaming companies alike. Sun (2017) states that the game League of Legends holds the World Championship, one of the biggest e-sports competitions, where the top 16 teams around the world will compete for the massive and enticing prize pool. In 2016, the prize pool for the Worlds Championship was a grand total of $5, 070, 000 (Sun 2017). Due to these changes, there have been debates in the gaming community on the authenticity and purity of e-sports due to commercial influences.

Furthermore, live streaming has also reshaped the dynamics of the gaming communities. According to Johnson (2019), Twitch, a streaming platform, has given rise to content creators who monetize their gameplay through donations, subscriptions and sponsorships. This has allowed players to turn their passion into a substantial profession, it has also changed the communal nature of gaming. The reason for this is that the simple joy of playing games may no longer be the sole reason for players to game, as the aspect of needing to entertain an audience in order to generate revenue now comes into play (Johnson 2019). This then turns the act of playing and gaming into a test of good performance rather than personal enjoyment of the game.

THE POSITIVES OF MONETIZED GAMES

Although monetization has brought new changes and challenges to the gaming communities, it is also essential to recognize that it has brought some positive changes to gaming communities. The financial success of the gaming industry has allowed for higher investments in game development (Ten Pixel Studio 2022). This results in improved quality of games, allowing players to immerse themselves better in games. Moreover, the rising popularity of e-sports has elevated gaming into mainstream entertainment. According to Ponda (2019), e-sports has aided the gaming community in gaining recognition and massive revenue.

In conclusion, the monetization of games has undeniably changed the gaming community, bringing about both positive and negative ones. Thus, striking a balance must be done to ensure that gaming communities can continue to thrive while being able to develop into greater entertainment.

REFERENCES

Goncalves, D, Pais, P, Gerling, K, Guerreiro, T & Rodrigues, A 2023, ‘Social gaming: A systematic review’, Computers in Human Behaviour, vol. 147, viewed 25 November 2023, <https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0747563223002029>.

Markopoulos, P 2018, ‘The effect of monetization in the gaming industry. BA (Honours) in Games Thesis. Panagiotis Markopoulos’, University of the Art London: London College of Communication, viewed 25 November 2023, <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/340983180_The_effect_of_monetization_in_the_gaming_industry_BA_Honours_in_Games_THESIS_Panagiotis_Markopoulos>.

Steinkuehler, C 2020, ‘Esports research: Critical, empirical, and historical studies of competitive videogame play’, Sage Journals, vol. 15, no. 1, viewed 25 November 2023, <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1555412019836855>.

Sun, Y 2017, ‘Motivation to play esports: Case of League of Legends’, Scholar Commons, viewed 26 November 2023, <https://scholarcommons.sc.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=5119&context=etd>.

Johnson, MR, Woodcock, J 2019, ‘“And today’s top donator is”: How live streamers on twitch.tv monetize and gamify their broadcasts’, Social Media + Society, viewed 26 November 2023, <https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/2056305119881694>.

Ten Pixel Studio 2022, ‘Why game monetization is an important aspect for developers?’, Linkedin, 14 October, viewed 26 November 2023, <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-game-monetization-important-aspect-developers-ten-pixel-studio>.

INTRODUCTION

In the vast landscape of digital communities, fandoms have grown to become one of the most prominent communities, connecting individuals from diverse backgrounds and around the globe through their shared passion and enthusiasm. The BTS Army, a passionate fandom for the South Korean boy band Bangtan Boys (BTS), is one such fandom that has a strong and solid community in the online sphere. They are one of the most successful fandoms to have built a sense of community within their members globally. Therefore, The BTS Army will used as a case study for this blog post.

BTS is one of the most famous South Korean boy bands to reach international fame with their captivating music and breathtaking performances. According to Farley (2022), the band has over 140 million followers across the different social media platforms they use. These fans, known as the BTS Army, have played a significant role in driving the band’s success by utilising digital platforms to connect and share about them in their community. At the core of BTS Army is their shared love and passion for BTS’s artistry and showmanship, which has allowed them to build a sense of community. Social media platforms like Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Weverse and V Live (to be merged into Weverse) are central hubs where fans can share their admiration or content regarding the popular band (Farley 2022). The accessibility of these platforms has allowed fans to further develop their identity and sense of community through their mutual love for BTS.

THE STRENGTH OF THE BTS ARMY

The BTS Army has also shown an impressive ability to harness the use of social media to build an international digital fandom. Hashtags regarding BTS regularly trend on Twitter and Instagram, allowing them to create a sense of participation within the community. The fandom is also very active video content creators, especially on YouTube (Cho 2018). According to Cho (2018), they create and post reaction videos of themselves regarding BTS’s music videos, merchandise or variety shows. Cho (2018) also states that some fans also create dance covers of BTS songs, which is common within the K-pop fandom community. As can be seen in these activities, the BTS Army is an active member of the participatory culture of BTS. As a result, online spaces like social media are compelling spaces for fandoms like the BTS Army to build communities and a sense of belonging.

Moreover, the BTS Army is a good example of how fandoms can serve as a solid support network for many individuals. Social media platforms are able to provide the fans an online space where they can share their personal stories, struggles and joys (Haulenbeek 2022). Members of the BTS Army can express their sense of belonging within the fandom as they often find solace with one another, empathizing with each other’s experiences. One such movement that showcases this is the Army Help Center. The Army Help Center (formerly an X account) partnered with the Crisis Text Line to help provide mental health support to fans who need it (Mcnamara 2020). Mcnamara (2020) states that the Army Help Center account also shares mental health tips and self-worth reminders on top of the option for people to directly message them if they need someone to talk to about their problems. With this movement, it can clearly be seen that the BTS Army has created a supportive community that is able to back each other up.

THE PROBLEM WITH FANDOMS

Although the BTS fandom has brought about many positive changes to society, it is also crucial to acknowledge the problems that arise from fandoms.  It is also natural for fandoms to experience disagreements, conflicts and even toxic behaviours (Sihombing et al. 2022). For example, differing opinions and perspectives on music video interpretations that are not resolved can lead to tensions being created within the community. One reason for this is the fanatics within the community. According to Sihombing et al. (2022), fanatics are usually unrelenting and even provocative in their behaviour as they believe their opinion regarding their favourite celebrities is always right, leading to toxic fights within the community. However, the BTS Army has demonstrated in several cases that they are able to regulate their behaviour to a certain degree, addressing the different opinions they have and maintaining a positive and inclusive environment for everyone.

In conclusion, the BTS Army is a solid fandom that is able to showcase how digital communities can build a sense of identity and belonging within their members, although toxicity within the community must be regulated.

REFERENCES

Cho, M 2018, ‘3 Ways that BTS and its fans are redefining liveness’, Flow Journal, 29 May, viewed 23 November 2023, <https://www.flowjournal.org/2018/05/bts-and-its-fans/>.

Farley, A 2022, ‘How the BTS ARMY turned their fandom into the future of entertainment’, Fast Company, 3 August, viewed 23 November 2023, <https://www.fastcompany.com/90721903/bts-hybe-korean-record-label-weverse#:~:text=The%20band%20has%2044.4%20million,group%20has%2014.7%20million%20fans.>.

Haulenbeek, SK 2022, ‘Mental health, community, commitment, and the growth of individual identity in the participatory fandom of the BTS ARMY’, OUR Journal: OCU Undergraduate Research Journal, vol. 9, no. 5, viewed 24 November 2023, <https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1116&context=ourj>.

Mcnamara, B 2020, ‘BTS ARMY Help Center partners With Crisis Text Line for mental health support’, Teen Vogue, 25 January, viewed 24 November 2023, <https://www.teenvogue.com/story/bts-army-help-center-crisis-text-line>.

INTRODUCTION

Public health is a crucial part of social life that has evolved with the changing landscape of digital platforms and communities. Social media, a powerful tool with global reach and influence in disseminating information, has also become a hub for health-related information and communities. Wakefield et al. (2014) state that like-minded individuals come together to share and learn from each other regarding public health campaigns. However, the reliance on social media platforms for public health campaigns and communities comes with its own set of dangers, as the information shared on these fast-paced platforms may not always be credible.

Digital communities on social media platforms have undoubtedly become powerful channels for public health campaigns. These online platforms allow individuals to search for health-related information, share their recovery experiences and bring awareness to lesser-known diseases and sicknesses (Wakefield et al. 2014). As a result, digital communities have played a vital role in promoting online public health campaigns.

THE DANGERS OF SOCIAL MEDIA RELIANCE

Despite these benefits from online communities, inevitable dangers that can compromise public health have also arisen from this. One main concern for these campaigns is the spread of misinformation. Social media platforms have a decentralized structure that allows for the rapid spread and exchange of information regardless of credibility (Lledo et al. 2021). This is especially dangerous for public health campaigns and communities as inaccurate information can lead to misguided practices, treatment hesitancy and the general faith that the public has in healthcare services.

Misleading posts or videos regarding healthcare can trend easily and quickly, reaching a wide audience before public health officials can respond with remedial measures. According to Lledo et al. (2021), a total of 69 studies on health misinformation were found, and it affected the ability of healthcare workers to provide treatment to the ill. As a result, public health officials must share accurate health information in a timely manner in order to battle against the tide of misinformation.

Furthermore, the disseminating of misinformation can be worsened by the echo chambers on social media platforms. These isolated communities can cause the reinforcement of existing beliefs and perspectives that may be inaccurate health information (Gyenes et al. 2017). As a result, individuals in these echo chambers may grow to be more resistant to even evidence-based health information as it contradicts their existing thoughts and views on health matters. During the Covid-19 crisis, healthcare officials were having immense trouble sharing accurate information to the public as echo chambers were formed, which led to certain groups refusing to listen and follow the instructions given by officials (Jiang et al. 2021). Consequently, it can be seen that polarization of health information in digital communities can impede the effectiveness of public health campaigns, especially when attempting to reach a diverse audience.

Moreover, the steady rise of social media influencers promoting health-related products and information has also developed its own fair share of problems. Although influencers can be useful entities in aiding the spread of health messages, an influencer’s motive may not always align with public health goals and objectives (Poyry et al. 2022).  Not every influencer will research the health product or practice they are being sponsored to promote if it is credible and has scientific backing. Oftentimes, they cannot speak of any bad side effects it may cause due to the sponsorship or contract preventing them from doing so. As a result, influencers can inadvertently contribute to the spread of misinformation and undermine public health campaigns. According to Poyry et al. (2022), social media influencer mothers promote refusing or hesitating to take vaccines for their children.

WAYS TO MINIMIZE THE DANGERS

Although there are many dangers from social media reliance on public health campaigns, there are a few ways to help alleviate them. One way is for healthcare officials, online digital platforms and social media influencers to collaborate with each other so credible health information can be shared with the public. Clear and concise guidelines should be enforced to ensure health information dissemination is fact-checked with scientific research backing (Zenone et al. 2021).

Besides that, social media platforms should also implement algorithms to detect and stop the spread of misinformation. According to Zenone et al. (2021), the algorithm developed should accurately flag potentially harmful content, allowing public health campaigns to thrive on safer social media platforms. This in turn, will allow the public to read and learn about health information that is credible and accurate.

In conclusion, these digital communities have offered vital opportunities for public health campaigns to reach a global audience. However, the dangers of social media reliance, namely misinformation, echo chambers and influencer content cannot be denied. Healthcare officials, digital platforms and social media influencers should therefore work together to foster the ethical distribution of healthcare information to the public for the betterment of public health.

REFERENCES

Wakefield, MA, Loken, B & Hornik, RC 2014, ‘Use of mass media campaigns to change health behaviour’, Lancet, vol. 376, no. 9748, viewed 17 November 2023, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4248563/>.

Lledo, VS & Galvez, JA 2021, ‘Prevalence of health misinformation on social media: Systematic review’, Journal of Medical Internet Research, vol. 23, no. 1, viewed 17 November 2023, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7857950/>.

Gyenes, N & Seymour, B 2017, ‘Public health echo chambers in a time of mistrust & misinformation - Digital health @ Harvard, February 2017’, Berkman Klein Center, 23 February, viewed 17 November 2023, <https://cyber.harvard.edu/events/digitalhealth/2017/02/GyenesSeymour>.

Jiang, J, Ren, X & Ferrara, E 2021, ‘Social media polarization and echo chambers in the context of COVID-19: Case study’, JMIR Publications, vol. 2, no. 3, viewed 18 November 2023, <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8371575/>.

Poyry, E, Reinikainen, H & Aho, VL 2022, ‘The role of social media influencers in public health communication: Case COVID-19 pandemic’, International Journal of Strategic Communication, vol. 16, no. 3, viewed 18 November 2023, <https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/1553118X.2022.2042694>.

INTRODUCTION

Activism and protest among digital citizens have become increasingly frequent with the rise of social media platforms usage. These online spaces allow activists and protesters to foster a digital community. They are able to raise awareness of their cause and gather support from these communities. However, the rise of propaganda and fake news has twisted these communities, creating obstacles for activists who wish to advocate for social causes (Powell 2022).

Digital citizenship refers to the responsible use of technology and the Internet to interact with the online community. In this digital age, social media platforms are central hubs for activists to connect with individuals who have common goals and speak out across the Internet (Shi 2016). Shi (2016) mentions that they are able to share crucial information that challenges the dominant power structures, in turn speaking up for the marginalized groups that have no voice and need help. As a result, movements like #BlackLivesMatter and #StopAsianHate were able to gain traction and help improve the living standards of those marginalized groups. It can be seen that social media is an invaluable communication tool for activists.

THE CHALLENGES OF DIGITAL ACTIVISM

However, the ease with which information is shared on social media platforms is also the very same feature that makes it vulnerable to manipulation. Fake news and propaganda can easily be spread across the Internet, which can cause activists’ work to be discredited (Ozkula 2021). As a result, digital activism faces an obstacle on the Internet, which is the misinformation that is spread by malicious groups.

One of the main ways that fake news disrupts the digital activism community is through the spreading of false narratives. According to Ozkula (2021), malicious groups can create and spread misleading information that leads to the activism cause being discredited. Furthermore, crowd attention is also diverted away from the cause, thus lessening the public support that it can receive. One example is the Hong Kong protests, where both protesters and the authorities used social media platforms to gain followers by showing biased narratives. Shao (2019) states that protesters circulated images of a female protester injured by the police while authorities were sharing videos of protesters disrupting public transit operations. The misleading information circulated by both sides has made it hard for the general public to filter through what is true and false.

Propaganda is another challenge that digital activists have to contend with. Propaganda messages shared on social media platforms that are supported by the authorities create a distorted version of reality. Continuous broadcasting of propaganda can be detrimental as it shapes public opinion to become narrow and biased. One example is the propaganda spread by Russian influencers when Russia invaded Ukraine. According to Powell (2022), misinformation was spread by over 180 Russian influencers on TikTok using the caption ‘Russian Lives Matter’ during the period of propaganda spreading. Some of the influencers were also paid by the Kremlin to share this message.

STRATEGIES TO MITIGATE THE CHALLENGES

Amidst all these challenges digital activists face, multiple strategies are available to prevent fake news and propaganda from overwhelming the public. One of the most crucial strategies is to ensure that media literacy is taught. Activists must nurture media skills like being able to critically evaluate information sources and checking whether claims are credible and reliable. One example would be the activists in China who use coded language to communicate with each other so that they can tread past the heavy censorship laws in their country (Rees 2013).

Another strategy that can be used is the active collaboration between activists to share information. This act can help combat misinformation as multiple sides will be able to fact-check the information received together. Networks between activists’ communities can also be built, allowing for more individuals to reinforce information verification. Additionally, a diverse array of individuals within the network of communities will help to prevent echo chambers from being formed, in turn creating a more open and informed community. An example that can be used in the #BlackLivesMatter movement. Rees (2013) states that after the killing of George Floyd by the police due to racism was posted on social media, over 60 countries in the world banded together to hold anti-racism campaigns.

In conclusion, digital citizenship has now provided an online global platform for activism and protests. However, digital activists must remain proactive to not be dragged down by challenges like fake news and propaganda.

REFERENCES

Ozkula, SM 2021, ‘What is digital activism anyway? Social constructions of the “digital” in contemporary activism’, Journal of Digital Social Research, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 60-84.

Powell, C 2022, ‘The promise of digital activism—and its dangers’, Council on Foreign Relations, 21 March, viewed 15 November 2023, <https://www.cfr.org/blog/promise-digital-activism-and-its-dangers-0>.

Rees, A 2013, ‘Digital and online activism’, Reset, 8 June, viewed 16 November 2023, <https://en.reset.org/digital-and-online-activism/>.

Shi, B 2016, ‘Success of digital activism: Roles of structures and media strategies’, Silicon Valley Notebook, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 6-10.

THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN BLOGS AND SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS

To start off this post, I feel it is relevant to first explain the main difference between blogs like Tumblr and social media platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram. Blogs are mediums where an individual or association will post detailed written content in their field of expertise (Walker Rettberg 2013). On the other hand, social media platforms focus on creating short and visually-pleasing content to attract people’s attention (Davis 2016). Therefore, I conclude that blogging is still relevant as people rely on blogs to receive in-depth knowledge and analysis on specific topics while social media platforms cater to creating interest and providing general knowledge in a specific topic.

BLOG FORMAT

One key strength of Tumblr is its ability to allow content creators to share their deep understanding in fields of their expertise. The reason for this is that Tumblr does not have a word limit on their posts unlike other social media platforms (Rahmanita et al. 2018). This then allows content creators to blog detailed information and analysis on their chosen topic, along with providing sources and evidence to back up their stance. According to Davis (2016), Jason Kottke is one such blogger who is a web designer and he shares his insights on cultural sides of web development, design and new technology; sometimes including a personal story on it as well. Readers in turn would have a better grasp and understanding of the topic as the blog provides comprehensive information.

BLOG CREDIBILITY

Furthermore, blogs tend to have higher credibility when compared to social media platforms like Tik Tok. During the Covid-19 pandemic, there were multiple videos on Tik Tok spreading misinformation that Bill Gates, the former CEO of Microsoft had a hand in causing the virus outbreak (Chmielewski 2020). This caused major confusion in a time of hardship and unrest. However, credible blogs were able to help mediate the confusion and instead provide accurate information to the people. One such blog is Banner Health where health tips and expert advice was given. One such example was an article writing about the symptoms of long Covid and its effects on humans (Olsson 2022). Blogs like this were crucial during the period of rampant misinformation on Covid-19 because they helped to contribute accurate information that was backed by research and cited sources to the people. By doing this, bloggers were able to become reliable voices on the Covid-19 topic and create a safe space for people to learn more about the virus, in turn allowing them to better protect themselves.

BLOG AS A COMPLIMENTARY TOOL

Besides that, blogs can work as a complementary tool to social media platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram. Content creators typically use multiple different platforms in order to reach a wider and more diverse audience. Similarly, bloggers could use social media platforms like Tik Tok to promote their blog content and in turn draw in more people to their main site of content creation. The reason this is a plausible model is because social media platforms tend to reach wider audiences when compared to blogs that specify in certain target audiences (ONPASSIVE 2023). Brian Solis is one such blogger who follows this example. On his blog, Solis himself has written many articles on disruptive technology, one of them touching on how companies can use the metaverse, a new web to their advantage (Solis 2022). Solis also further uses Instagram to share snippets of his thoughts on the topic, allowing him to grab people’s attention and bringing more people to his blog is they are interested in the topic.

MONETIZATION OF BLOGS

Blogs also have the potential to become monetization platforms, sometimes being more effective than social media platforms. One reason is that blogs have more options on ways to become monetized. Some of the many methods are brand sponsorship, affiliate marketing, showing advertisements and email marketing. Brand sponsorships involve brands paying bloggers to share their opinions and reviews on the brand products (Saeed 2023). They can be especially effective if both the brand and blog share similar interests as they target the same audience. According to Saeed (2023), affiliate marketing differs as it works on a commission basis where the blogger receives money when an audience member buys a brand product through the blogger’s special link or code. Saeed (2023) also mentions that blogs may show advertisements that are related to the blog’s content and revenue can be generated through ad clicks. Moreover, Saeed also states that email marketing can be another great way to communicate with the audience and bring them back to the blog (2023).

To conclude, although social media platforms are quickly becoming the more popular option to audiences, blogs still have their unique strengths that allows them to remain relevant in this current age.

REFERENCES

Chmielewski, D 2020, ‘TikTok used to spread misinformation about the coronavirus’, Forbes, 28 January, viewed 26 September 2023, <https://www.forbes.com/sites/dawnchmielewski/2020/01/28/tiktok-used-to-spread-misinformation-about-the-coronavirus/?sh=3465bfdd16d6>.

Costanza, T, ‘[Blogger Meme 3]’, in Silicon Republic 2015, 10 blogger memes look at the funny side of the career, Silicon Republic, viewed 28 September 2023, <https://www.siliconrepublic.com/careers/10-blogger-memes-look-at-the-funny-side-of-the-career>.

Davis, JL 2016, ‘Social Media’, The International Encyclopedia of Political Communication, January, viewed 25 September 2023, <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/314581845_Social_Media#:~:text=Social%20media%20are%20defined%20as,sharing%20of%20user%2Dgenerated%20content.>.

Olsson, R 2022, ‘Long COVID: 5 big questions answered about Post-COVID Syndrome’, Banner Health, 13 April, viewed 26 September 2023, <https://www.bannerhealth.com/healthcareblog/better-me/long-covid-questions-answered-about-post-covid-syndrome>.

ONPASSIVE 2023, ‘What is the difference between blogging and social media?’, ONPASSIVE, 27 March, viewed 27 September 2023, <https://onpassive.com/blog/what-is-the-difference-between-blogging-and-social-media/>.

Rahmanita, M & Cahyono, BY 2018, ‘The effect of using Tumblr on the EFL students’ ability in writing argumentative essays’, Journal of Language Teaching and Research, September, viewed 26 September 2023, <https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327378337_The_Effect_of_Using_Tumblr_on_the_EFL_Students'_Ability_in_Writing_Argumentative_Essays>.

Saeed, M 2023, ‘How to monetize content and boost your audience as a blogger’, Forbes, 21 August, viewed 28 September 2023, <https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2023/08/21/how-to-monetize-content-and-boost-your-audience-as-a-blogger/?sh=3a2225d73f1b>.

Solis, B 2022, ‘Making the business case for the metaverse: how companies can create value in the next web’, Brian Solis, 31 October, viewed 27 September 2023, <https://www.briansolis.com/2022/10/making-the-business-case-for-the-metaverse-how-companies-can-create-value-in-the-next-web/>.