Social Media outpaces search engines in UK

SOCIAL networks had more UK internet visitors than search engines last month, according to research by online data company Experian Hitwise.

Google UK remains the most popular website, although traffic to social networks pulled ahead of search engines to 11.88 per cent compared to 11.33 per cent

Facebook accounts 55 per cent of all social networking visits, three times more than second placed YouTube. Twitter, according to some reports doubling in size every 90 days, is now in third place ahead of former favourites Bebo and MySpace.

Robin Goad, research director for Experian Hitwise, said: "Social networks are a key part of the online landscape in the UK, and their popularity continues to grow. Although social networks and search engines perform different functions, they both act as gateways to the wider Internet. This data perfectly illustrates the key role that social media now plays in so much online behaviour."

“Many marketers and brand owners have yet to grasp the full potential of social media marketing, but spending on the channel will increase as proven success stories emerge. There will be particular opportunities for sectors that have traditionally struggled with online and remained tied to traditional media, such as FMCG and automotive”

Comments:

Robert Schmitt
Date: 09/06/2010 19:01:25

Great news. The localsocial er.I mean localsearch landscape is changing. This will test Google's ability to sell, market. etc. Social is the new search? hmmm.

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