Twitter update – 7+ million users and growing… fast
Twitter has grown by a staggering 1382% in the span of one year, to have over 7 million monthly unique visitors, according to data from market research firm Nielsen. The research suggested that Twitter was becoming ingrained as a marketing and business tool, above its personal application.
The Nielsen research on the February traffic showed that I am plum in the middle of its most regular users: almost 42% of its users are 35 to 49 year olds, with a further 20% between 25-34. Interestingly, 62% of Twitter users visit the site while at work versus 35% from home.
One of the primary success factors for Twitter is the mobility and ease of use (i.e. text messaging). In January this year, 735,000 unique visitors Twittered via their mobile. According to Nielsen, “The average unique visitor went to Twitter.com 14 times during the month and spent an average of seven minutes on the site.”
The Nielsen research had the other big growth winners: 240% for Zimbio the interactive magazine (that claims 15 million readers in its header but which Nielsen pegged at 2.8 million unique users) and +228% for Facebook (66 million). Multiply (+192%) was logged at 2.4 million and Wikia (+172%) at 3.8 million.
Aside from the traffic, proof of Twitter’s success is the entirely new vocabulary that has sprouted: tweet (n. a twitter entry), to Tweet (verb), Tweeps (n. twitter friends), Twirt (v. to flirt on twitter), Chirp Storm (n. popular twitter subject), Twatter (n. nonsense chatter on Twitter)… And there are a number of accessory sites, my favourite of which is twitturly which tracks the most tweeted URLs.
At a dinner party this weekend, I had quite the discussion as to the usefulness of twittering (see a complementary raging debate group, “Debatable,” on Facebook launched by Justin Kirby, UK). For myself, I see the interest in micro-journalism, a more personalised social bookmarking and a way to propagate good content or branded content (business use). Whatever the reasons, though, Twitter has definitively accelerated past the tipping point. Are you a fan of Twittering? What do you think? How should brands be taking advantage of this phenomenon?
Minter – Here in Montreal, we are more concerned with the decline of our beloved Habitants – let alone those who are still confused how the Flyers are ahead of them in the standings – again.
My thoughts of Twitter – which I have tried to push to several Canadian corporations so far – is that it is a double edge sword.
When corporations understand the power of a tool such as Twitter, they can really leverage the medium to maximize exposure in a PR or Press Relation sense. However, if they are not prepared (or willing) to support and/or monitor the medium, it can turn into a PR nightmare.
There is still alot of old school mentality out there – where they feel that corporations can disseminate the info as they please…wise are those who embrace the power of the consumer.
Hope all is well in Europe.
See you soon.
Michael Cyr
Montreal, Canada
Thanks for coming by Mike. Need your details! Pls send me an email or connect on FB…even twitter! And, yes, you are right about needing to monitor. In any event, there is little in the way of free rides. Internet media needs investment in resources…including people. It seems that there is far too little in the way of objectives and strategy in the medium of the internet in companies.
Twitter and its rise in enterprise usage is being watched pretty closely here at Microsoft.