Genre as digital social action: the case of archiving, tagging and searching in digital media culture

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to develop a contemporary understanding of genre as digital social action. Particular emphasis will be on archiving, tagging, and searching as social actions afforded by digital media as a function of their materiality.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach is critical analysis and discussion.

Findings

It is shown through an examination and a concrete example of how the genre is understood as digital social action, how the materiality of digital media affords particular communicative actions.

Originality/value

The article contributes with an understanding of the genre as digital social action consisting of two communicating parts: users’ actions and materiality.

Citation

Andersen, J. (2022), "Genre as digital social action: the case of archiving, tagging and searching in digital media culture", Journal of Documentation, Vol. 78 No. 2, pp. 228-241. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-01-2021-0023