Young users favouring social networks over email?
Posted 19 November 2007 at 8:47AM by Simon Dickson in Email and communications
The internet revolution passed another milestone last month, according to Robin Goad from analysts Hitwise. For the first time, traffic to social networking sites like Facebook, Bebo and MySpace was higher than web-based email services.
Hitwise data shows steady growth in social networking, speeding up at the start of this year. But there was a noticeable jump over the summer, mirrored by a drop in use of email sites. Hitwise's 'email services' category - which includes all the usual suspects - dropped below the 5% threshold in October, just as the social networks crept above it. 'This confirms that social networks are starting to eat into the web-based email providers' dominance of the internet messaging market,' Robin notes.
As you might expect, the shift is particularly evident among younger internet users. Robin's figures show that use of Hotmail - sorry, Windows Live Mail - is fairly evenly spread across the age groups. But Facebook usage is particularly concentrated in the younger groups: 60% of its visitors are in the 18-34 age category. (Although just as interestingly, Robin's numbers suggest a surprisingly high 13% of Facebook users are aged 55 and over!)
It's actually something I've found myself doing a lot recently. Even though I've got a friend's email address, even though I know email will probably reach them more directly and more quickly, I'm still choosing to send them a message in Facebook. Why? I guess it's because it feels more friendly. Your Facebook inbox is effectively 'friends only', whereas your email inbox is all too often full of (a) spam, or (b) work. A new message in my Facebook inbox is likely to raise a smile; a new message in my email inbox is likely to make me groan. Or is that just me?
Tags: email, hitwise, hotmail, social networking, windows live mail, yahoo
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Comments
2. At November 19, 2007 3:20 PM, Paul Cassidy wrote:
I use myspace a lot. I dont know if anything would get me into facebook. interesting topic though
3. At November 19, 2007 4:16 PM, Vincent Mcmahon wrote:
i find more people are leaving myspace for bebo as i and my good aquaintance bob HXC holly and our business partners the hardy's
myspace has too much spam and "emo-kids"
4. At November 19, 2007 8:38 PM, stephen Lewis wrote:
good service
5. At November 20, 2007 9:23 PM, Joe wrote:
What are the social issues of computer legislation?
6. At November 21, 2007 9:33 AM, Bob HXC Holly wrote:
as Vincent puts it, Myspace is now days a giant advertising board. if i wanted any of your generic garbage id buy it myself, i am able to think about what i would like thank you.
maybe two folders in your email, set up a mail rule for each so work goes one way, and personal the other. simple yet seperates the two so easily.
7. At November 21, 2007 4:05 PM, Mr B H M Hart wrote:
I used to enjoy using social networking sites, however since the explosioon in popularity it means that people I no longer wish to ascociate with can now find me.
The first time I recevied a friend request from Vincent there, I pulled the plug and removed myself from all social networks
8. At November 23, 2007 10:22 AM, Mr H B K Michaels wrote:
why do people like Mr Hart constantly moan because one bad apple tried to contact them, think how many crooks and vagabonds you walk past in daily life, mySpace is no difference.
some people are still living in the past.
9. At November 23, 2007 12:03 PM, Mr M Jannety wrote:
I think Mr Hart is correct in assumption that these sites are allowing people to find personages they no longer wish to associate with, as far as I am concerned it is turning into the web equivalent of stalking.
10. At November 23, 2007 1:23 PM, Nigel wrote:
Its the logical next step ; instantaneous talk/message facility rather than an on/off email message. The future is now here !!!
11. At November 23, 2007 5:42 PM, JAMES LYON wrote:
I agree with Mr B H M Hart and Mr M Jannety.
I add: These so called networking sites have no place in Business and have no legality. Businesses and employees should steer clear of such sites - especially during working hours. If you wish to get involved, then do it so on you own computer at home but make sure you have good security systems in place.
WARNING - If you do not know who you are talking to - then beware. Anybody who uses a computer could be a possible crook.Regards James Lyon - Retired Computer Systems Lecturer.
12. At December 2, 2007 5:36 PM, Tanvir Ahmad wrote:
So can anyone tell me what good does this myspace or bebo or facebook would do to our businesses? Yes, if you run a dating website and want to get more people you might want to advertise on it. Yeh also if you want to sell apple ipods or iphones I guess you will. I guess Internet cafes will take advantage from it when a myspace or bebo addict spends hours chatting to his "mates", some who he/she never met and thinks the picture on the display is them!!
I don't know. Sorry for being so ignorant.
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1. At November 19, 2007 1:44 PM, J G Dawson wrote: