I was going to write about Social Networking Statistics 2012 closer to the end of the year, but I decided to jump the gun a little. The reason: A new social network that made social networking statistics 2012 needed now. What is that Google+ social network called again? Oh yeah, G+, the G-man, Google+. The fact is that this social network is completely reshaping the social networking landscape, and I wanted to update my statistics from last year in order to record this moment before it changes.
Last year, I was looking to prove statistically why you need to use social networking for your business. Since the word “Facebook” is as common as the word “Kleenex” nowadays I thought this year would be an update on a continually growing trend.
Please note: I am exchanging Myspace for Google+ and Skype. This is not to say that MySpace is dead, even though it feels that way. The reason is that it is just not useful for most small business owners, who mostly visit this site. Plus, I should have included Skype in last year’s social networking statistics.
Social Networking Statistics 2012 Base Numbers
So, let’s start again with the basic numbers.
Using Internet World Stats as we did last year, we will notice how the numbers of Internet users rose slightly from just below 2 Billion last year to 2.1 Billion this year.That is out of 6.9 Billion people on the planet.
That means that 30% of the world is online, which is a 2% increase from last year.
What Does This Mean For Social Networking Statistics 2012?
Very simply, we now can accurately understand how big a role social networking plays online. If you are not using the internet, then I will take a large lopsided bet that you do not use Facebook. To Tweet would be an even greater fallacy.
So, with this in mind let’s evaluate the big dogs of social networking. Keep in mind that I mostly doing this from an American/Western European viewpoint. I am not looking at networks in China and other parts of the world that are equally as large. Partially, because I do not really know anything about them. Partially, because because the bulk of the people reading this blog focus on the networks listed below.
Facebook only has 750 million users on their site. That is from the 500 million they had last year. I am going to put a big however here, because there are recent reports of Facebook users fleeing the site. My best guess, and this is only an educated guess. Their growth will slow, so maybe next year they might have around 800 Million at this point. I know I am putting myself out there saying this, but they do not have a lot of room to grow.
Can you think of a social network with 750 million user that until very recently was not talked about that much? O0h! Ooh! Ooh! I know! Skype! That is correct! Until Skype was recently bought by Microsoft for $8 Billion cash (Mazel Tov!), they were well known and discussed. But they did not always get the media exposure that Facebook and Twitter received. Add one for the international free video call with chat feature!
Twitter has had a huge year. A few months ago they surpassed 200 million and there is more growth left to this site. Do not be surprised to hear the 300 million word being spoken around the end of the year.
LinkedIn finally hit 100 million. I say finally, because they are older than Facebook and Twitter. The suit and tie network is also the first social network to go public. Look for them to continue to dominate the business social networking.
Google+ is just over 1 month old now. The proud baby sister of Google Search along with beam parents Larry Page and Sergei Brin. How much this social network will completely change social networking in the next year is not sure, but there is definitely some changes in the making. They have 20 million users already and should hit the 100 million point by the end of the year.
Update: My bad! I missed a post stating that Google+ has 170 million users right now.
Foursquare is still growing pretty quickly as well. However, it is not nearly as large as some of it’s social networking brethren. In June the company ticked off it’s 10 Millionth user. People are just starting to adapt to the idea of mobile, so this network has room to grow.
Pretty…Useful Social Networking Statistics 2012 Chart
Notes:Alexa lists Skype with 17.5%, Twitter 27% and Foursquare 32% of their traffic from the US, which is what I based roughly the number of US users would be. Google+ is too new for US statistics.
With this in mind, when you add up all of the accounts. You have over 1.08 Billion accounts through the major social networks. This is not even including sites, such as Myspace, Yelp, Digg, Youtube, Orkut, Badoo, QZone, Last.Fm, RenRen,Wordpress, and countless other social networking sites around the world and those that fill in niches not met by the major social networks.
I ended last year’s statistics with the sobering reality that the world has changed. So, I guess it would only be fitting if I stated this year that the world has remained the same, except more social. We have taken social networking into our homes and offices and made it a part of our daily lives. The people we meet here become a part of who we are in our offline and online world. What are your thoughts about the social networking statistics 2012?
Really interesting stats Andy. In the long run I may be one of those who flees from Facebook – from the beginning I had a love/hate relationship with that site. Still trying to figure out how best to work within Linkedin – ironically my “community” seems to be growing steadily without any effort on my part. Definitely some good stuff to think about – thanks!
Marquita,
That is great that LinkedIn is growing without your efforts. How can you hate a site like Facebook with no customer support and a place that bans your friends for tiny infractions? 🙂
Andy
Hi Andy,
Really interesting numbers. I love Google+ and what they are bringing to the table. Facebook is a beast and the skype integration should be interesting as it continues to develop. I think the most gains will be seen in the mobile space as a few simple additions to some of these platforms could change how we interact through social media in our daily lives.
thanks for sharing!
-Kevin
Kevin,
Thanks!
I am glad that you like this approach! Mobile will definitely be huge this year!
Andy
Hi Andy ~ Interesting article. I have been aware for what seems like forever about many of the social networking sites. But you have managed to pull some unknown entities out of the rabbits hat and into my attention. I will certainly have to explore some of these to see what they are all about.
I was impressed to hear you say that MySpace is virtually dead to business endeavors. I joined MySpace forever ago and just never seemed to go anywhere with it.
Facebook as you say is almost a household name. And here comes Google+. I read about Google+ a few weeks ago in another blog post and was enthused by what was said about it. And I was looking forward to getting an invite to try it out. My IT manager sent me an invite just yesterday. So now I am off to explore this new world of Google+. It’s all so exciting to me. And even without actually having explored any of it just yet I am enthused about the prospect of the “circles,” feature. Wouldn’t it be nice to send out group specific posts rather than to the whole all at once with no other options.
Competition often offers options and keeps us interested in the game. Thanks for an inspiring look at the statistics as well as introducing me to new information.
Jim,
There is just no point in using Myspace anymore. I just see no reason to use their site for 99% of my clients.
Additionally, definitely play around with G+
Andy
Hey Andy,
Great post on the growth and wave of current social network sites….
I am really curious about Google+, will it really take off or fall to the wayside? I know that the features are in actuality an improvement on the way that facebook users interact.
Obviously, as a marketer, I want to know how far they will go.
I know that if Big G gets their social platform to the level that facebook has, search engines and content marketing take a big turn as the +1 rankings will play a big part.
Looking forward to a future with potential!
-James
James,
I think that G+ is here to stay. Just seems to have the momentum to actually stick. As a marketer it will make our job even more essential.
The +1 will change internet marketing completely. The only thing is that I am not sure if that is for the better or worse yet.
Andy
Hey Andy, great stats. Very interesting to see exactly how the top social networks all add up. I had no idea skype was so large, primarily I guess because it appears to be bigger in other countries. Interesting also your perspective on facebook, the fact that you see it’s growth slowing down and there not being much room for them to grow. They seem to keep changing things but it will be interesting to see how well Google+ does in all this. Thanks for sharing all that research!
Hans,
Thanks! Skype sort of just jumped up on everyone as being a huge goliath in social networking. Everyone knows about it, but no one realized how big it was until they were ready to sell it.
Andy
Hello,
im an undergrad student in Malaysia, do you mind if i take some of your stat for my presentation. Also i am wondering where do you get the numbers from?
Ahmad,
I gathered it from a number of different sites, including as much as possible from the social networking sites themselves. Feel free to use it in your presentation. Please just reference my site name in your report. Thanks!
Andy
@ Marquita:
You are very right. I’m not really attached to Facebook. I’m not really into social media sites but then LinkedIn grows without so much effort. I love it there and I got lots of connections.
Use the social network that you feel comfortable with. If you feel comfortable with LinkedIn there is nothing wrong with that.