News

Facebook dominates global internet usage

One in five minutes spent online across the globe in October 2011 was spent on social networking sites, according to Comscore.

According to the report, It’s a Social World: Top 10 Need-to-Knows About Social Networking and Where It’s Headed, social networks now reach 82% of the world’s internet population, representing 1.2 billion users across the globe.

During October alone, Facebook reached more than half (55%) of the world’s global audience, accounting for one in every seven minutes spent online and three in every four social networking minutes.

Microblogging sites are beginning to make their mark worldwide, with rapid adoption levels. Twitter reached one in 10 internet users, up 59% over the past year. China’s Sina Weibo grew 181% to rank as the tenth largest social network in October, while Tumblr grew 172%.

Israel was the most engaged social networking market, with more than 11 hours spent on social networks during the month. Argentina ranked second with 10.7 hours, followed by Russia (10.4 hours), Turkey (10.2 hours) and Chile (9.8 hours). The Philippines (8.7 hours), Colombia (8.5 hours), Peru (8.3 hours), Venezuela (7.9 hours) and Canada (7.7 hours) round-out the top 10.

“The emergence and widespread global adoption of social networks has vastly influenced human interaction on an individual, community and larger societal level, and underscores the convergence of the online and offline worlds,” says Comscore chief marketing officer and executive vice-president of global development Linda Boland Abraham. “Regardless of geography, social networks are weaving themselves ever more intricately into the fabric of the digital experience, opening a world of new opportunity for business and technology.”

Jenni Baker, London