Linking users into live social networking interactions based on the users actions relative to similar content

A method for linking a first user of a mobile computing device into a live social network with a second user based on engagement by the first user and the second user with similar content, comprising:

• receiving from a first user's mobile computing device a request to connect with a server-hosted social network;
• receiving from the first user's mobile computing device data indicating characteristics of content that is either stored on a non-transitory first storage medium of the first user's mobile computing device or that has been engaged with remotely by the first user via the mobile computing device;
• determining that content engaged with by a second user is similar to the content that is either stored on the first storage medium or that has been engaged with remotely by the first user;
• and
• linking the first user and the second user into a live social interaction within the social network.