Abstract:

Advancements in digital technology and internet technology have revolutionized the way people create, process and post images. This study aimed to understand how images are posted in social network platforms. In this study, the “3rd World Internet Conference” was selected as the case, the data were collected in Weibo with the use of content analysis method. The result of research shows that the time distribution of the image publishing is a lifecycle process, and in the social network platform the authority of the subject gains more users’attention. The users’ behavior of images posting conforms to the principle of least effort, and they tend to post captured images and direct photos. From the purpose of images publishing, although the number of the images which were aimed to reference to other source is the most, the aims of sharing information images have the greatest impact. The conclusion of this study is of positive significance to the design of image retrieval system and the further study of image use.

Key words: Social networking platforms, Image publishing, 3rd World Internet Conference, User behavior, Weibo