Social media is growing in popularity, and people are empowered to communicate, connect and engage with friends, family, celebrities, companies and brands – on their own terms. You can “like” someone on Facebook, promote your “handle” on Twitter, and “LinkdIn” with a colleague on LinkedIn. Newer social networking sites and blogs also include Digg, StumbleUpon, Tumblr and a host of new sites and apps.
A look at social media popularity, looks at the new ‘State of the Media’: Social Media Report by Nielsen looks at American’s usage in Q3 2011 and here are the headlines:
- Social networks and blogs continue to dominate people’s time online, now accounting for a quarter of total time spent on the Internet.
- Nearly 4 out of 5 active Internet users visit social networks and blogs
- 40% of social media users access social media content from their mobile phones
- 70% of active online adult social networkers shop online
- More women view video online , but men watch longer
- Females ages 18-34 are most active social networkers
- Over twice as many people age 55+ visit social networking sites on their mobile phones than last year
- Among social networkers, 53% follow a brand while 32% follow a celebrity
- Tumblr is an emerging player in social media, nearly tripling its audience from a year ago
- Social networking app usage up 30% from a year ago
- Among Nielsen’s 10 internet-metered markets, Australian Internet users spend the most time visiting social networks and blogs