Facebook Skiing Downhill to the Rest Home?
December 15, 2011
Is it possible that the most widely used Web site on the Internet is at the end of its time? Some seem to think so.
In September 2011, Facebook claimed 14.7 percent of total U.S. consumer Internet-usage minutes. This number is higher than any other Web site; the average Facebook user spent 410 minutes on the site during that same month. However, despite these numbers, some predict the Web site has peaked or is near its peak.
Ben Bajarin, director of consumer-technology analysis at Creative Strategies Inc., gives his outlook in the Time’s article, “The Beginning of the End for Facebook?”
When I survey the landscape and look at trends, which is one of my jobs as an industry analyst, I see declining usage of Facebook as a significant trend. Taking that into context and combining it with the unique new offerings coming up daily, you can see why I’m asking the question. Facebook may have run its course. Of course, it’s too early to tell, and Facebook can still innovate and, in essence, disrupt itself.
The author cites his own declining use of the site, as well as a poll of almost 500 high school students, as evidence for the imminent failure of Facebook. He calls it “Facebook fatigue” and believes people will slowly drift toward websites that put limits on your network or are based upon specific interests.
I disagree. Although people may find they are spending more time on other social networking sites, at the end of the day, the will return to Facebook. Why? Simply because everyone else is. With a network where everyone logs in everyday to post thoughts and pictures and events, it’s a catchall that will survive because it is seemingly limitless.
Andrea Hayden, December 15, 2011
Sponsored by Pandia.com
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