The UK market research company Trendstream this week updated its Global Web Index for social networking and revealed that Google has now moved into second place behind Facebook on the most popular social network chart.
Not only that but Google’s YouTube site also moved into third position pushing Twitter down to fourth place, followed by LinkedIn.
The Rise of Google+
According to the new table just released, Google+ is now placed second, reporting that Facebook‘s active users in December 2012 totaled a massive 693 million, compared to 343 million for Google+. This significant rise in Google+’s user base highlights the platform’s growing influence in the social networking sphere. Google+ has managed to carve out a niche for itself by integrating with other Google services, making it a convenient choice for users who are already embedded in the Google ecosystem.
As you can see in the chart, a large percentage of the most popular social networks in the chart are based only in China. This includes platforms like Sina Weibo and Tencent’s Qzone, which dominate the Chinese market but have limited influence globally. The global reach of platforms like Facebook and Google+ contrasts sharply with these localized networks, emphasizing the importance of international appeal in achieving high user numbers.
YouTube’s Growing Influence
YouTube’s move into third position is another noteworthy development. The platform has become a central hub for video content, attracting a diverse user base that ranges from casual viewers to professional content creators. YouTube’s integration with Google+ has also contributed to its rise, as users can easily share and comment on videos within the Google ecosystem. This synergy between Google services has proven to be a powerful strategy in increasing user engagement across multiple platforms.
“Data collected in GWI.8 (Q4 2012) demonstrates the continued shift in usage from localized social platforms to global ones with huge growth for Twitter, Google+ and Facebook. The fastest growing network in 2013 in terms of “Active Usage” (defined as “Used or contributed to in the past month”) was Twitter which grew 40% to 288m across our 31 markets (approximately 90% of global internet population). 21% of the global internet population now use Twitter actively on a monthly basis. This compares to 21% actively using YouTube, 25% actively using Google+ and a staggering 51% using Facebook on a monthly basis.”
The data also highlights the rapid growth of Twitter, which saw a 40% increase in active usage, reaching 288 million users across 31 markets. This growth is particularly impressive given the platform’s focus on real-time information and microblogging, which appeals to a wide range of users from news organizations to celebrities and everyday individuals. Twitter’s ability to facilitate immediate, global communication has made it an indispensable tool for many.
LinkedIn, while not as rapidly growing as the other platforms, remains a crucial network for professionals. Its focus on career development and networking has made it the go-to platform for job seekers and recruiters alike. The platform’s integration with other professional tools and services continues to enhance its value proposition.
The updated Global Web Index underscores the dynamic nature of the social networking landscape. With Google+ and YouTube making significant strides, and Twitter continuing its rapid growth, the competition for user engagement is more intense than ever. As these platforms evolve, they will likely introduce new features and integrations to attract and retain users, shaping the future of social networking in the process.
Source: Forbes : Global Web Index
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