Nobody Hanging Out on Google+?

The WSJ has an interesting article today on the waning numbers spending time on Google’s ‘Facebook nemesis’, Google+. Talk of 90 million users since it’s June 2011 launch seriously flatters Google. Research from ComScore reveals that the average user is spending a mere 3 minutes a month on the network.

The value of a social network is exactly what it says on the tin – the social aspect.  Currently there is a perception that Google+ is a bit like an empty restaurant…people peak in, see it’s a bit dead inside and walk on to someplace with a bit more atmostphere…heading off to Facebook, Pinterest or Twitter to wile away some time. As such many people aren’t really giving Google+ a chance as there’s no point investigating useful features like video ‘hangouts’ if none of your connections are actively using the site.

Can Google turn things around?

60 seconds in Social Media [Infographic]

Easing the way into another working week, here’s a nice infographic from Social Jumpstart which illustrates the volume of engagement in social networks in any given minute.

Cyber Flashmob Attacks WSJ Facebook Page

An individual claiming to be associated with online hacking group, Anonymous, posted a call to virtual arms on a German Facebook page today. They were requesting that people show their opposition to the Wall St Journal’s portrayal of the group and the “deliberate dissemination of false information” and “lobby journalism“.

The Facebook post stated: “ATTENTION PLEASE! 3.15 p.m. – Comment flashmob on the site of the WSJ! We hope for active participation”

Comments were directed to both the German Wall St Journal Facebook page and the paper’s main page with the ‘spam attack’ lasting several hours.

Read more on this here.

Is the social media novelty wearing off?

New research from UK market research agency, You Gov, reveals that two in five (41%) of the UK online population claim to be getting bored of social media.

Some of the stats

Unsurprisingly Facebook is still the social network frontrunner when it comes to the volume of active users. 65% of the UK online population logged in within the last month as compared to 50% for YouTube, 23% for Twitter, 13% for LinkedIn and 12% for Google+ during the same period. However almost a quarter of these active Facebook users are using the site less now than they did a year ago. This ‘weaning off’ the network looks to continue as 19% expect to use Facebook less in a year’s time. The question is will new users to the site replace those who have lost interest? i.e. is usage cyclical?

The search for value

The recession is also having an impact on social media behaviour with people moving from spending time in online networks for recreation to getting involved in networks that serve a specific purpose. As people focus on ‘brand me’ and develop their professional networks for career development, LinkedIn usage is on the increase. Over half of UK internet users using the site more than a year ago and 30% also expect to use it even more in one year’s time.

Financial advice and ‘deals’ site, Moneysavingexpert.com, now has as many active users as Twitter. Similarly 10% of online consumers are active on music sharing network, Spotify.

For more on this research, click here.

Other useful articles of relevance:

Facebook Growth Over, Onset of Slow Decline

Facebook’s share of UK social networking declines

Young people ‘bored’ with social media

Tropicana Harness the Sun for Marketing Stunt

As part of their ‘Brighter Morning with Tropicana‘ campaign, the juice brand came up with a clever stunt which took place Monday in London’s Trafalgar Square.

To the surprise of Londoners making their way about on a typically grey Winter’s morning in the city, a huge sun which took six months to construct and was 30,000 times bigger than a football rose up to brighten up the square. Apparently the artificial ‘sun’ could be seen from space as the light was the equivalent of 60,000 light bulbs!

The brand is also running complimentary Facebook activity with competitions and the opportunity to join Tropicana’s ‘Breakfast Club’.