Subscribe by EmailTwitter and the Oprah Effect
October 22, 2009 by Casey | 3 commentsBy Casey Lynn
Contributing Writer, [GAS]
According to the latest Pew Internet survey, one in five of you want to tell everyone what you’re up to in 140 characters or less. More specifically, 19% of Internet users are posting status updates on Twitter or another service (I would imagine that Facebook is the runner-up, with others trailing by a mile).
One unsurprising statistic about Twitter users: they’re young. Or at least, the 18-29 demographic marks the largest percentage; 33% of U.S. adults in that age group use Twitter. And another “duh” moment: people who use other social networks (like Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.) are more likely to tweet than those who don’t. Also more likely: those who have wireless access or multiple mobile devices.
Okay, so a lot of “duh,” but one interesting note in the report was the distinct jump in Twitter usage over the past six months. The 19% stat is up from the 11% found in both December 2008 and April 2009.
You may remember what happened to Twitter in April; Oprah happened. So could the jump in all those status messages be partly due to the Oprah Effect? After all, if she can sell a book, she can probably sell a social network.
Oh, and by the way, I was right; my mom did start using Twitter, back in April. That’s +1.
- Twitter aflitter with quicker quitters
- Oprah to Tweet on Friday’s Show
- Were You Here Before Oprah?
- Men Rule on Twitter
Little misleading about most twitter users being young, because teenagers were LESS likely to use the service. I know you point out about 18-29 age group, but it would be more accurate to say twitter users were adult. Not really a ‘duh’ moment at all.
The statistic I cited actually only covered U.S. adults. You’re right, the stats on teenagers might be more interesting.
Exactly, without the teenager stats the facts are a little skewed, I came across the teenager stats on Mashable once. Of course, in those few months, things may have changed. It was interesting because twitter was the first that young people WEREN’T first to adopt.