Social Networking trends

While comScore earlier tipped social networks to grow hugely in 2011, number crunchers at eMarketer predicted social networking sign-ups will soon peak in the US, meaning networks will have to work harder than ever to draw new users and keep existing users happy with the service.

According to Web Pro News, eMarketer approximated a double-digit increase of social networking will peak in 2011, as fewer users will clamour to sign-up to Facebook, Twitter and rival platforms in 2012 and 2013.

After charting social networking sign-up trends from 2009 onwards, the analysts forecasted 13.2 million more individuals in the USA will join a social network during 2011; meaning 147.9 million people (or 63.7 per cent of the states’ web users) will be signed-up social networker by 2011.

Nevertheless, only 10 million more users are expected to sign-up in 2012, while only 6.4 million more people will sign-up in 2013 – prompting analysts to speculate that social networks will need to make alot more effort  to engage with users.

What’s more, the analysts exposed that while 90 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds and 80 per cent of 12- to 34-year-old web users will use social networks in 2011, social networks will require to work harder to succeed over surfers as just over 50 per cent of 45 to 64 year olds will update their status or tweet in 2011.

eMarketer analyst Debra Aho Williamson give details that social networks are likely to present multi-channel content and hyper-local deals in a bid to keep users, young and old, signed up and logged on.

“With fewer users signing up, social network users will be more sophisticated and discerning about the people and brands they want to engage with,” Williamson said.

“In 2011, social networks will need to cement their relationship with their users, particularly people aged 35 and older, in order to keep them engaged.