Half of UK web users will use social networks at least once a month by 2013, according to a report by eMarketer.
The report found 39% of UK internet users (15.4m) will interact using a social network once a month this year, rising to 50% (21.9m) by 2013.
EMarketer said its estimates are lower than other researcher firms as they’re for average monthly use for a given year, whereas other estimates tally consumers who may have a social network profile but don’t visit a site frequently.
Karin von Abrams, senior analyst and author of the report, said, “In the short term, professional networks such as LinkedIn and Plaxo are attracting the newly unemployed, many of whom would probably not join a social network for purely personal reasons.
“Also, developments in other social media, such as corporate blogs, microblogs and podcasts, increasingly present opportunities to communicate with customers and mobilise influencers on behalf of brands,” she added.
Source New Media Age