
Social Media
The Power Of Social Login Tools!
By TechDogs Editorial Team

Overview
Read on to discover how Social Login Tools work, why businesses can benefit from implementing them, why users love them and why one login is better than many.
Let’s go!
.jpg.aspx)
You know that old trope that shows up in science fiction movies and TV shows - the one where someone's retina, or face, or handprint is scanned, allowing them entry into (or exit from) a highly secure location?
Maybe it's a secret lab, or the server room of an evil corporation or, as is the case in the 1993 movie, Demolition Man, a top-security prison.
In the last example, Wesley Snipes' character literally removes the eye of a prison guard (in a horrifying moment of cinematic glory) and uses it to scan his way out of prison (Full disclosure: this movie is not for the squeamish).

Over twenty-five years after Demolition Man, we now have a much less dramatic version of secure login technology in the form of Social Login Tools (no eyeballs necessary!).
Curious? Here's what they are.
What Are Social Login Tools?
Social Login Tools allow end-users to access multiple websites using a social media account as a single sign-on. Instead of using your eyeball, you use your Facebook, Google, Twitter or any other social media account to get access to a website or an application. Most websites that use Social Login Tools also give users the option to create an account using an email address.
Here's what that looks like from an end-user perspective:

Social Login Tools allow users to log in using their login information from a third-party website, eliminating the need to create (yet another!) new account. To understand how these tools evolved, how ubiquitous they've become and why we use them, we must take a brief trip down social media's memory lane.
A Brief Evolution Of Social Login Tools
Social Login Tools, while ubiquitous now, have only been around for a dozen years (or so). Facebook pioneered social login in 2008 with a service called Facebook Connect. Twitter and LinkedIn quickly followed with their own social login utilities in 2009 and 2010. Then came Google+ in 2011.
Side note: Don't remember what Google+ was? No worries, millennials! It was Google's attempt at entering the social media landscape. It fizzled out in 2018 when Google stopped the service.
By 2015, Social Login Tools were widely used by website owners and users alike but there were privacy concerns linked to the sharing of social media data with third-party websites. People didn't want their eyeballs (er, social data) shared every time they wanted to buy shoes or browse the latest political news, so social login functionality was scaled down (around 2017 and 2018) to include only basic data and authentication. That's pretty much where we're at today.
Coming to the present, let's deal with the elephant...er...the “How” of Social Login Tools.
How Do Social Login Tools Work?
Social Login Tools Work by obtaining a user's social media login credentials in exchange for access to a website, platform, or app. When a new user (or non-logged-in user) attempts to access gated content (e.g., content that requires an account to gain access), they're presented with login options like the Medium example, above.
Here's another example from the retail website Zappos:

The Medium and Zappos examples are what a consumer sees when trying to gain access to gated content. From a business perspective, if you want to use social login on your website, you'll need software to make it happen.
From the perspective of a developer or website owner, there are several ways to add a social login component to your website. There are plugins for popular platforms including Twitter and Facebook installed on content management platforms like WordPress, Drupal and Joomla! Website developers can also opt to work with social login platforms that are basically an all-in-one tool, compatible with multiple social networks.
Platforms like Okta Identity Cloud and SAP Customer Data Cloud are aimed at enterprise-sized businesses (translation: the big guys). For the mere mortals who just want to include a social login feature on their website, the plugins will do the trick.
Why Do We Need Social Login Tools?
Businesses use Social Login Tools because they provide a better user experience, eliminate the need for users to manage multiple profiles, boost conversion rates and encourage user engagement. A staggeringly large number of users, nearly 90%, hate creating new accounts. It turns out that making it easier for people to access your content prevents them from shaking a fist at their computer or phone and leaving for greener (and more easily accessible) pastures.
Moreover, 92% of users will leave your website without recovering their login info. Horrifying, we know - but consider that nearly 80% of users believe social login is a good solution to the inconvenience of having to register. All is not lost!
It's a win-win for you too. They reduce the need for website owners to manage security since the username and password aren't being stored on your server but with the social media channel. More importantly, they ensure that user data is more reliable and accurate, which is critical when personalizing messaging for your users.
If you're not convinced that Social Login tools are an important registration solution for both website owners and users, then please keep your eyeballs and fingerprints inside the vehicle and allow us to continue trying to persuade you.
Importance Of Social Login Tools
Social Login Tools provide additional (and effortless) user account login options, they're multi-channel (meaning they work well across devices and platforms) and they minimize the need for users to juggle multiple passwords.
They can also significantly reduce the number of failed logins and limit the collection of bad or wrong data (88% of users admit they enter incomplete or incorrect data when registering on a new website).
The benefits are plentiful, as follows:
-
Easy/quick registration
-
Increase signups by up to 50%
-
Increase conversion rates (by as much as 52% in one case)
-
Reduce shopping cart abandonment
-
Reduce traditional registration time by 5x or more
-
Minimize the number of passwords for users
-
Reduce login failures
-
Wesley Snipes won't steal your users' eyeballs (you've got to keep your users safe, right?)
Convinced yet? If not, let us tell you that Social Login Tools aren't a fad that would fade - they are here to stay and evolve into even better versions of themselves.
Future Of Social Login Tools
The adoption of Social Login Tools will continue to grow as the demand for gated content, the use of Ecommerce websites and consumer expectations for seamless digital experiences grow. 86% of users are annoyed with having to create accounts on websites (it's so much easier to scan your eyeball, don't you think?). Social Login configuration is preferred by users because juggling dozens (or hundreds) of passwords is a hassle and a security risk.
While social media usage (including the networks we prefer) may change (currently, Facebook reigns supreme with 2.7 billion monthly active users), the trend of accessing gated content and social platforms likely won't - at least not anytime soon. Moreover, users are becoming increasingly device and channel-agnostic (e.g., they are accessing online content across a variety of devices, apps and operating systems), so having one central login is even more important for maintaining a consistent end-user experience.
Some day we may all be pointing our eyeballs at our phones, TVs, computers, banks, schools and other places where we want to gain entry (We're not worried at all, are you??). For now, we have Social Login Tools to enable ease of access to our most coveted content and accounts - no eyeballs necessary!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Social Login Tools?
Social Login Tools enable users to access multiple websites and applications using their credentials from social media platforms such as Facebook, Google, Twitter, and others. Instead of creating new accounts for each website, users can utilize their existing social media accounts for authentication, simplifying the login process. While social login is prevalent, many websites still offer the option to create an account using an email address.
How do Social Login Tools work?
Social Login Tools function by allowing users to log in to websites or apps using their social media credentials. When a user attempts to access gated content that requires authentication, they are presented with options to log in using their social media accounts. From a business perspective, implementing social login typically involves integrating plugins or platforms that facilitate authentication through various social networks. This approach streamlines the login process for users and enhances user experience.
Why are Social Login Tools important?
Social Login Tools offer several benefits for both users and businesses. They improve user experience by simplifying the registration and login process, reducing the need for users to manage multiple passwords. This convenience can lead to higher conversion rates and increased user engagement. Additionally, social login enhances data accuracy and security, as user credentials are managed by social media platforms rather than stored on individual websites' servers. Overall, Social Login Tools contribute to a smoother user experience and can significantly benefit businesses by improving user retention and satisfaction.
Liked what you read? That’s only the tip of the tech iceberg!
Explore our vast collection of tech articles including introductory guides, product reviews, trends and more, stay up to date with the latest news, relish thought-provoking interviews and the hottest AI blogs, and tickle your funny bone with hilarious tech memes!
Plus, get access to branded insights from industry-leading global brands through informative white papers, engaging case studies, in-depth reports, enlightening videos and exciting events and webinars.
Dive into TechDogs' treasure trove today and Know Your World of technology like never before!
Disclaimer - Reference to any specific product, software or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by TechDogs nor should any data or content published be relied upon. The views expressed by TechDogs' members and guests are their own and their appearance on our site does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by TechDogs' Authors are those of the Authors and do not necessarily reflect the view of TechDogs or any of its officials. While we aim to provide valuable and helpful information, some content on TechDogs' site may not have been thoroughly reviewed for every detail or aspect. We encourage users to verify any information independently where necessary.
Trending Introductory Guides
A Learner’s Guide To Data Lakes
By TechDogs Editorial Team
Your Marauder’s Map To Decipher The World Of Endpoint Encryption Software
By TechDogs Editorial Team
Enter The Universe Of Cloud Gaming
By TechDogs Editorial Team
It’s About Time You Understood SEO
By TechDogs Editorial Team
Unfold The Tale Of Security Information And Event Management (SIEM) Software
By TechDogs Editorial Team
Join Our Newsletter
Get weekly news, engaging articles, and career tips-all free!
By subscribing to our newsletter, you're cool with our terms and conditions and agree to our Privacy Policy.
Join The Discussion