From the 2007 Digital Future Report:
43 percent of [American] Internet users who are members of online communities say that they “feel as strongly” about their virtual community as they do about their realworld communities.A significant majority of members of online communities (56.6 percent) log into their community at least once a day. [American] Internet users report having met an average of 4.65 friends online whom they have never met in person.
43 percent of [American] Internet users who are members of online communities say that they “feel as strongly” about their virtual community as they do about their realworld communities.
A significant majority of members of online communities (56.6 percent) log into their community at least once a day.
[American] Internet users report having met an average of 4.65 friends online whom they have never met in person.
Mind blowing stuff, especially when you consider the importance of word of mouth:
67% of all consumer decisions are primarily influenced by word of mouthOn product recommendations, 90% trust their spouse and 65% trust their friends, however only 27% trust manufacturers, 14% trust advertisers
67% of all consumer decisions are primarily influenced by word of mouth
On product recommendations, 90% trust their spouse and 65% trust their friends, however only 27% trust manufacturers, 14% trust advertisers
This relates to news earlier this the week, as reported by Pete Cashmore:
if you believe The American Marketing Association, MySpace, Facebook and other major social networks are missing out on massive profits this holiday season by neglecting to sell products through their sites. The AMA released a survey today in which 47% of consumers said they’d use social networks to find and discuss holiday gift ideas, while 29% said they would buy products through those sites. 51% said they’d look for discounts on social networks, another 51% said they’d download coupons and 18% said they’d read or write product reviews. Respondents could choose more than one answer, hence the total is more than 100%. The AMA say that we’re already seeing a merging of social sites and online stores (the Flickr Camera Finder is a great example), but that blatant hyping of products will turn users off. USA Today got hold of the release yesterday, and speculated that social networks could make more from product sales than they currently do from ads
Update: Social sites cash in on users via etail.
Robin Grant
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Last login: 02 Jun 2009
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