Zwinky

Zwinky is a teen website that allows users to create and customize avatars and interact with other users. The avatars created on Zwinky may be used on any social networking site or blog that supports Zwinkies. When an avatar is created through Zwinky, and in order to be able to use them, the MyWeb search bar must be installed on your Windows based browser.

Zwinky is owned and operated by IAC Search and Media through their Mindspark Interactive Network, Inc. The actual zwinky.com site was launched on June of 2006.

In September of 2009, Zwinky and Facebook partnered to launch Facebook connect for Zwinky. This feature permits Zwinky users to connect their Zwinky account to their Facebook account, use their Zwinky avatars on Facebook and to recruit their new members to Zwinky from their Facebook friends.

Users on Zwinky are able to create their own avatar/character to best suit their own personality or that whcih they want to portray virtually. Psychical characteristics, such as gender, hair color, hair style, eye color and fashion style can be selected to increase the degree of personalization.

Zwinktopia was launched as a part of Zwinky in April of 2007. This is a virtual universe which allows users to populate it with their avatars. Housing, clothing and entertainment for the avatars can be purchased using Zbucks. Zbucks can be earned by users for visiting different areas of the site or playing game within the site. They can also be purchased directly using Paypal.

In order to add to the component of the virtual reality created with Zwinkotopia, Zwinky often holds special events, such as holiday parties, themed events and virtual proms to encourage open interaction amongst users through their avatars.

Zwinky events are designed to prolong the stay of the user on Zwinky through active participation; a slightly different approach from other social networking site which tend to rely on sharing of posts and media through more passive means.