Iranian and Non-Iranian Social Networks ’ Structures ; A Comparative Study

This research attempts to present a picture of the structure and design of virtual social networking sites such as Facenama, Cloob, Facebook, and Google+. The aim of this research is to study what are the differences between Iranian and non-Iranian social networks structures mainly used by Iranian users. Content analysis method has been used in the present research. Elements such as real images, personal photos, high attractiveness, image plus text, warm and cool colors, lots of comments (more than ten comments), and minimal use of symbolic signs have been used more than other types. Moreover, it was identified that there is no significant difference between the type of selected structures by users in Iranian and non-Iranian social network websites. The results of the research could be use to reach a pattern of use of these websites for creating and developing personal social networking.

1. The society moves from the hierarchical structure towards the network and multi-group structure.
3. Comprehending the patterns is important in making analytical methods and recognizing the network.
4. Structured relations help to explain macro social systems.

Social structures can affect interpersonal relationships.
6. The world is composed of networks not groups (Babaei, 2011).
In 2009, Steve Jones and Sarah Millermaierpublished a research entitled " Whose space is MySpace? A content analysis of MySpace profiles " in the Journal of Computer-Mediated Communication. In this study, they identified the type of personal information that users shared in their profiles. The researchers used content analysis method in conducting the research in order to find the personal characteristics of the users and the type of shared content in users' profiles.The results showed that such virtual social networks are used for creating and developing individual identity and establishing online relationships. The findings also revealed a high level of the privacy control by the users. The results indicated that MySpace virtual network is used not only as a communication tool but also for self-disclosure and the construction of Facebook. The number of uploaded photos on the page and the content of photos have been analyzed, and the researchers have found that the number of uploaded photo differ significantly by gender. The participants in the research were male and female student aged 18-23. The content and amount of Facebook profile photographs also did not significantly vary by gender.

Objectives and Questions
The main objective of this research is to identify the structure and design of Iranian and non-Iranian social networks in order to somewhat compare the structure of Iranian and foreign social networks and to determine their structural similarities and differences. The results of the research could be use to reach a pattern of use of these websites for creating and developing personal social networking. The main question of the research is: What are the differences between the structure and design of Iranian and non-Iranian social networks?
To answer the question variables such as the kind of uploaded photos, profile picture, design template attractiveness, colors, number of comments, number of visitors, type of the shared content in social networks are analyzed and compared in Iranian and non-Iranian social networks.

Research Method
In this research, content analysis method is used. The analysis unit is profile page. The research population is made up of two Iranian (Facenama and Cloob), and two foreign social networking websites (Facebook and Google+). The sample size has been estimated according to Cochran's sample size formula. 384 pages of these four networks have been investigated.
The samples for the research were selected by simple random samplingamong four websites. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS software.  Table (2) shows the highest rate of real photos belonged to personal photos and the lowest rate belonged to the photos of friends in both Iranian and non-Iranian social networks.  Table (3) indicates that the highest rate of shared content format for both Iranian and foreign social networks was the format of (text + image) and the lowest rate of content production format for both Iranian and non-Iranian social networks was the format of (text + audio) which the lowest rate among all was related to Iranian social networks.  It seems that the space which is provided for the users by social networks is an open and free space. This space is displayed in the symbolic signs which somewhat refer to the group or organization that an individual belongs to. According to the results most users have not used symbolic signs. In other words, they didn't belong to a special group or organization and fewer users have used such signs in their profiles. As mentioned earlier and according to the theory of networking society and network theory, structure in social networks is an important feature. This feature refers to what is noticed by the user at the first glance which is seen in photos, formats, colors, content production form, and comments. Social networking structures are different from each other, but they all provide a series of facilities for their users, so that the users can display according to their own interests. In general, structure is the framework of a network and each user can make it more attractive and attract more users to his/her own profile. Users in Iranian social networks have somewhat observed Iranian culture in their structure and design and have tried to use structures that match local and national culture. Moreover, the users in non-Iranian social networks have been relatively more active than the users in Iranian social networks and have tried to make the structure and design of their profiles more attractive.
This broad, yet deep study also shows that Iranians, particularly young ones ( Iranian society. In other words, these networks, structuring relations, are not only confined to more palpable realms, but also include the intersection of the practice of everyday life, collective action, and politics (Reisinezhad, 2014).They are embedded in quotidian relationships and thus more impervious to state control (Scott 1990, Zuo 1995, Zhao 1998, Loveman 1998.It islife within groups that transforms the culture of the young.In short, informal networks construct "free spaces" in which ordinary people build and expand theirmutual ties . The integration of domestic virtual spaces in Iran and their similarity with famous virtual spaces stressesthe significance of informal aspect of social networks and their effectiveness, particularly in less open polities where visibility is dangerous and in high-risk milieu where the informal social ties provide bonds of trust and solidarity beyond the regimesurveillance (Reisinezhad, 2014).Tightly knit networks nurture collective identities and solidarity; provide informal organization and contacts, and supply information otherwise unavailable to individuals (Pfaff, 1996).
For future studies the cultural role of these networks should be underscored. Social networks are spaces for themeaning production. The ultimate outcome of such acovertly cultural process is the quotidian production of alternative meaning which nourishes the Iranian young.