Social network systems and methods of operation

A method comprising:

• generating, by executing an instruction with at least one server, a profile for a first user of a plurality of users based on first profile information corresponding to the first user, the first profile information contained in a database, the profile for the first user including a tag corresponding to the first user;
• in response to a first request from a first user device of the first user sent over a data network via a first internet protocol communication:
• executing a query of second profile information with the at least one server, the second profile information corresponding to other ones of the users and the first and second profile information contained in records in the database;
• and
• returning a first search result to the first user device of the first user;
• in response to a second request from the first user device of the first user sent over the data network via a second internet protocol communication:
• executing a query of tags with the at least one server, the tags corresponding to the other ones of the users with corresponding ones of the records in the database;
• returning a second search result to the first user device of the first user;
• transmitting a third internet protocol communication from the at least one server to identify a second user to the first user device of the first user, the second user indirectly connected to the first user;
• enabling, via the at least one server, the first user to invite the second user to directly connect with the first user;
• transmitting a fourth internet protocol communication over the data network to a second device of the second user to request permission to share user contact information associated with the second user with the first user;
• responsive to a fifth internet protocol communication indicating that permission is granted, making the user contact information of the second user viewable to the first user device via the at least one server;
• enabling the first user to initiate an instant message via the at least one server to at least one of the second user or a third user to whom the first user is indirectly or directly connected;
• and
• delivering an alert message from the at least one server to the first user device, the alert message to notify the first user device of at least one of an addition of a user, an addition of a tag of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user, or a change in the profile information of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user.

A computer readable storage disk or storage device comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a machine to at least:

• generate a profile for a first user of a plurality of users based on first profile information corresponding to the first user, the first profile information contained in a database, the profile for the first user including a tag corresponding to the first user;
• in response to a first request from a first user device of the first user sent over a data network via a first internet protocol communication:
• execute a query of second profile information, the second profile information corresponding to other ones of the users and the first and second profile information contained in records in the database;
• and
• return a first search result to the first user device of the first user;
• in response to a second request from the first user device of the first user sent over the data network via a second internet protocol communication:
• execute a query of tags, the tags corresponding to the other ones of the users with corresponding ones of the records in the database;
• return a second search result to the first user device of the first user;
• transmit a third internet protocol communication to identify a second user to the first user device of the first user, the second user indirectly connected to the first user;
• enable the first user to invite the second user to directly connect with the first user;
• transmit a fourth internet protocol communication over the data network to a second device of the second user to request permission to share user contact information associated with the second user with the first user;
• responsive to a fifth internet protocol communication indicating that permission is granted, make the user contact information of the second user viewable to the first user device;
• enable the first user to initiate an instant message to at least one of the second user or a third user to whom the first user is indirectly or directly connected;
• and
• deliver an alert message to the first user device, the alert message to notify the first user device of at least one of an addition of a user, an addition of a tag of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user, or a change in the profile information of one of the users whom is directly connected to the first user.