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Facebook Up, MySpace Down

09 February 2009 | social-media | 1 Comment

facebook and myspace changes on the horizon of social media useSocial networking site Facebook turned five years old this week and has a marked impact on social media as their market share continues to grow. According to our 2008 Social Media Statistics Study, Facebook grew 85% in 2008 alone and boasts over 150 million users.

Hitwise Intelligence reports that “one year ago, visits to Facebook represented 15% of the total social networking category while MySpace captured 73%. In January 2009, Facebook’s share doubled to reach 31%, while MySpace’s total share of the category eroded to 57%.”

Hitwise also reports that time users remain on the page is trending up for Facebook and remaining the same on MySpace (despite declining numbers). In 2008, Facebook released several features such as chat, and Facebook applications have rapidly grown in popularity.

Tasty Numbers:

Also of note is that the Facebook user demographic is changing with the 18-24 demo declining over the last 12 months and the 25-34 crowd booming. What’s interesting about the Myspace/Facebook study is that users with household incomes under 60k are in higher number on MySpace while those earning over 60k populate Facebook more frequently.

So in five years, Facebook has become the fifth most highly ranked website by total market share of visits in January 2009.

Why Facebook is Prospering:

How come MySpace is declining while Facebook is prospering? I believe several reasons can be attributed to this shift in website market share:

  1. Adaptation: Facebook continues to adapt to a wider demographic by continuing to manicure their services while MySpace sticks to their tried and true methods. The MySpace strategy isn’t a bad one, users are never alienated, but Facebook users spend more and more time on the site discovering new offerings.
  2. Pollenation: Facebook has several applications and ways to populate users’ own sites while allowing users to bring their social networking content elsewhere to autopopulate their Facebook profile.
  3. User Interface: let’s face it, MySpace has a less serious interface which is great for specific demographics but for businesses may be less comfortable. The MySpace advantage is that it is highly customizable giving each user an independent feel but some may say this lends to the immature feel of the space.
  4. Friends: the very act of “friending” is far different between the two platforms with MySpace being a more youthful social feel while Facebook tends to allow a more professional atmosphere if one seeks it. Porn stars and musicians are more popular on MySpace than on Facebook while CEOs and politicians are more popular on Facebook.

With the current trends taken into account, Facebook is suited for dominating the space over this next year with its diverse demographic and its continued adaptation making it prime space for any professional or social networker to be present.

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1 Comment for this entry

  • John McElhenney
    February 10th, 2009 on 8:03 am

    Well done with the post. Hitwise data is some of the most revealing stats there are. I love what you guys are doing here and with AG! My hat is off to you both. Keep it coming!

    @jmacofearth

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