Nielsen Tracks Continued Social Media Growth

Social Media Studies

NIELSEN has just released its latest Social Media Report and it essentially validated most observers' anecdotal evidence and past studies -- its popularity continues to grow and FACEBOOK is by far the most popular social media website. Currently, social networks and blogs reach nearly 80% of active U.S. Internet users.

Other interesting findings:

* Americans find more time on FACEBOOK than they do on any other U.S. website.
* Close to 40% of social media users access content from their mobile phone.
* Internet users over the age of 55 are driving the growth of social networking through the mobile Internet.
* 70% of active online social networkers shop online, 12% more likely than the average Net user.
* TUMBLR is a website to look out for, as it has tripled its audience in the past year.

JACOBS MEDIA Digital and Social Media Strategist, and MERGE author LORI LEWIS added some additional thoughts:

Social Networks and blogs continue to dominate American's time online.

Social Networking leans more Female 18-34 and 35-49. Men are still there - but likelier to use less conversation (FACEBOOK) and more informational/transactional sites. LINKEDIN and WIKIA-sites skew heavy male.

FACEBOOK has become synonymous with web use and dominates as the site people use and spend the most time on.

53.5% are using FACEBOOK
17.2% YAHOO
12.5% GOOGLE
11.4% AOL
9.5% MSN
9.1% YOUTUBE

TWITTER was not in the top ten sites used by the majority.

TUMBLER is a social platform emerging with female teens.

Mobile social media is on the rise with 2 in 5 social media users accessing these services from their mobile phone.

Of the features most valued on the mobile phone?

56% GPS
30% Social Networking
26% Download/Play Music and Web Browsing

App usage is up 30% from 3Q 2010.

Facebook ranks as the most popular app across all phones.

Top 3 categories of apps used by smartphone users 67% Games 65% Weather 60% Social Networking

More women watch videos, but men "last longer."
About 4,000 more women said they view videos online, however men are the heaviest users as they stream more and watch longer.

Why you need a social strategy?

60% of all respondents said they are talking about you!

They enjoy reviewing products and services and in fact, consumer created reviews is the preferred source for information about products, services, value etc...

Read the entire report here.

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