According to Hitwise, more internet users searched social media websites than search engines during last month which just goes to show we love finding out information about each other more so than the wider circle of knowledge available on the net. Is it any wonder then that online marketing are using sites such as Facebook as a gateway to advertising?
Admittedly, the difference was a mere 0.5 per cent but this shows no sign of slowing down. Facebook garners 55 percent of social media users with Twitter a mere two per cent and Bebo and MySpace following up behind with one per cent.
Google is by far the more productive search engine with nearly 88 per cent of all UK searches and Microsoft’s Bing barely registering on the scale.
Is the fact that social media is taking up such huge parts of our lives evidence that our lives are shallow and meaningless or simply a way of keeping in touch with our friends and relatives when we are spread so far across the globe? There can be no doubt that this is the easiest way to keep in touch and where it’s not possible to keep abreast of relationships in person, maybe this is the next best thing? After all, it’s far more personal than snail mail that takes days to arrive!
Search engines are by far a more useful tool when it comes to searching out information but are we now experiencing information overload and reverting back to what used to be more important – human relationships? Or, are social networking sites a passing fad that will see search engines once again surge forward in popularity? Those who use internet marketing would do well to keep an eye on this to enable them to target their campaigns as effectively as possible.
Looking on my Facebook page I can currently see only one advertisement for Sky TV. Personally, I think that cramming social media sites with advertising will spoil it but you can never beat the money making machine!
Related posts: