Consumers using mobile social networks today are mainly checking messages, status updates and comments of friends rather than posting photos or comments themselves, according to a recent study by ABI Research. However, this pattern is changing as more consumers have access to better-equipped phones and social network applications that allow for easy uploading and communication.
“Today more than 60% of those who access a social network on their phone do so mainly to check for messages or comments from friends, compared to less than 30% who upload photos,” says research director Michael Wolf. “Over time, however, a growing number of consumers will share photos and use social network messaging and email which will translate to longer and more frequent usage of social networks on mobile.”
Today more than half of those who use a social network on their PC do so on a daily basis, while only approximately 17% of those accessing a mobile social network do so as frequently. This disparity in usage between online and mobile social networks will shrink over time as consumers become more accustomed to using their mobile phone as one of the primary means of keeping in touch with their networks of friends and associates.
“The fact is that more consumers are really starting to adopt social networking on their phones,” said Wolf. “The combination of more capable phones with flat-rate mobile broadband and pre-installed social network applications will help cement social networks as hubs for entertainment and communication, regardless of the screen consumers use to access them.”
ABI Research’s “Mobile Social Networking” study demystifies some of the key issues around mobile social networking.
It forms part of the firm’s Mobile Content Research Service.
The data in this report are derived from two separate surveys conducted by ABI Research. The first, conducted in March 2008, was a sample of just over 1,000 mobile subscribers in the United States. The second, conducted in July 2008, was a sample of just over 500 mobile subscribers that were users of online social networks
ABI Research is a leading market research firm focused on the impact of emerging technologies on global consumer and business markets. Utilizing a unique blend of market intelligence, primary research, and expert assessment from its worldwide team of industry analysts, ABI Research assists hundreds of clients each year with their strategic growth initiatives. For information, visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1.516.624.2500.
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