Facebook and Twitter are arguably the two most used social media sites on the Internet, but for users what is more appealing?
It is no secret that social media has dominated the Internet, smartphones, and our lives for years. Since the creation of Facebook in 2004 and Twitter in 2006, it has become a way of life. The younger generation has integrated social media into their lives. Terms like “wall” “status” and “Tweet” are part of everyday language and no one thinks twice of the terms.
Statistics for both social media sites are off the charts and mind-blowing. Facebook has grown tremendously since its creation. Facebook creator, Mark Zuckerberg, did not expect that Facebook would become what it is today. With over 845 million users, Facebook is credited for 1 out of every 5 page-views on the Internet worldwide. Fifty percent of the population in North America alone is on Facebook. Two hundred fifty million photos are uploaded each day to Facebook and there are 2.7 billion “likes” every single day. The average amount of time spent on Facebook adds up to 20 minutes per visit. The average amount of friends that a Facebook user has is 130. Needless to say, we are all addicts, but how does Twitter measure up?
Twitter, created in 2006 by Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams hit the ground running and made a splash in the social media pool. Twitter has half a billion profiles with over 100 million in the U.S. Users send 175 millions tweets every day. Twitter is seen as a very mobile type of social media. “Tweet and Go” is a common term heard about Twitter. About 55 percent of users access Twitter through their mobile device.
Twitter is particularity popular among celebrities. Lady Gaga is the most-followed user on Twitter with 20 million followers. A close second is Justin Bieber with 17 million followers and third is Katy Perry will a little over 15 million. Even though Twitter does not measure up to the outstanding numbers that Facebook carries, twitter seems to grab the vote in popularity.
When asked which social media site do you prefer, Facebook or Twitter, Senior Mass Communications Student Katie Hochgertel stated, “Twitter is better. I don’t have to see all of the unnecessary activities like on Facebook, also, I like staying connected with celebrities and Twitter also helps me stay up to date on current news.”
Senior Mass Communications Student, Sarie Tocket also stated that she prefers Twitter but, “Facebook is better to look at pictures.” With Facebook being nearly 8 years old, users seem to be craving something new. Twitter in its release in 2006 was not as popular as it is now.
When asked which is better, Facebook or Twitter, BU student Emma Brown stated, “Twitter. It is somehow more gratifying when someone re-tweets you over just liking your status.”
On overwhelming amount of responses favored Twitter over Facebook. The collective seems that there is just too much going on with Facebook. The micro blog Twitter with its limit of 140 characters has seemed to hit the nail in the coffin.
Watch out Facebook, Twitter is throwing the punches and might end up winning this social media battle.
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