Social Networks Now More Popular than Email
Social Networks Now More Popular than Email
Posted 03/10/2009 at 8:03am
| by Paul Lilly
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According to a new study by Nielsen-Online, social networks and blogs are now the 4th most popular online activity. Collectively referred to as "Member Communities," Nielsen says these are visited by over two-thirds of the online population, putting them "ahead of personal email." It's also the fastest-growing sector out of the top four, which also includes search, portals, and PC software and email.
"Social networking has become a fundamental part of the global online experience," says John Burbank, CEO of Nielsen Online (PDF). "While two-thirds of the global online population already accesses member community sites, their vigorous adoption and the migration of time show no signs of slowing. Social networking will continue to alter not just the global online landscape, but the consumer experience at large."
Facebook, which ranks as the most popular social network, draws three out of every 10 people online each month across the nine markets tracked. And it's not limited to any single age group. According to Nielsen, the biggest increase in visitors during 2008 came from the 35-49 demographic.
The report, titled "Global Faces and Networked Places," attributes some of the growth to the prominence of mobile phones, noting a "big increase over last year" in the number of users visiting Member Communities through their handsets.
Surprised by any of this?
Image Credit: Nielsen-Onlne
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LQuinn
March 11, 2009 at 7:10am
The functionality of social media forums are constantly being reinvented in hopes that information, updates, and alerts can easily be submitted over the internet for easy access and in a real-time fashion. Users are looking for a more personal connection to other members within a community, rather than an inbox. This is really just reinforcing the change of online trends, not necessarily a bad thing either. One must consider, however, where we are headed. Social networks are now above email; one would not believe this trend would occur five years ago. What will keep users faithful to one type of media over another? Check out how, eZanga.com, a search engine that specializes in pay-per-click advertising, has revamped social networking with their recently launched site, www.HopOnThis.com. Integrated rewards possibly the next best thing in the social media sphere?
I Jedi
March 10, 2009 at 3:28pm
In all seriousness... Idk, online networking, like Facebook and MySpace, are fun things for teenagers to do online. Like complain about how miserable their lives are, and how their heart is broken because of a two-week relationship that went through the roof, and generally glorifying themselves to make themselves feel better and try to gain the respect and admiration amongst their peers, as to rank up in popularity. So, yes, I can see how it is a lot of fun to read and laugh at it all online. :} Almost as much fun as reading what Congress does every day. Nothing, or close to it. :}
Now I see why it's getting more and more popular than ever.
Tekzel
March 10, 2009 at 12:47pm
They aren't a part of my online experience. I just don't like people enough to generally care what they like, dislike, are wearing, etc. I definitely don't want them knowing "all about me". Sometimes, when I am feeling exceptionally sharey, I will post a general paragraph of my likes, I.E. "Sci-fi & fantasy, computers, guitars, reading, movies, games.". There, you know everything you need to know about me unless you are my close personal friend in the area of my residence. Why these people want to share so much with the world at large, I will NEVER get.
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