More and More, It's All About Social Media

So when people are hunched over their laptops, Ipads and smartphones, what are they really doing? Not reading online newspapers and magazines. A new report from Nielsen on the state of social media shows that more than ever, they’re focused on social networks and blogs. News and current events barely register:

Social networks and blogs 22.5%
Online games 9.8%
E-mail 7.6%
Portals 4.5%
Videos/movies 4.4%
Search 4.0%
Instant messaging 3.3%
Software manufacturers 3.2%
Classifieds/auctions 2.9%
Current events and news 2.6%

(All the rest, 35.1%, was labeled ‘Other,’ which includes sports, education, gambling, adult entertainment, etc.)

Other findings in the report:

• Nearly 40% access social media from mobile phones.
• The fastest growing demographic in using social media is the over-55 age group.
• We spend far more time on Facebook than any other website.
• Tumblr is coming on strong, nearly tripling its audience over the past year.

This report is a valuable snapshot, but the scene is changing fast. Check back.

- Potomac Communications Group