Independent data suggests that millions of users are abandoning Facebook in search of new social media platforms.
Ahead of Facebook’s Q1 2013 earnings report, analysts suggest that the social media giant has already reached its peak in the biggest markets.
In the US and major European markets like the UK, Spain and France, Facebook is reportedly already seeing huge drops in user numbers.
According to analysis firm SocialBakers, American Facebook users dropped by 6 million or 4 per cent in the last month alone. British logins fell by 4.5 per cent, equating to 1.4 million less people using the social media site as of last month.
The drops are definitely speeding up as well, as over the past six months US usage dropped by 9 million and in the UK it fell by 2 million.
“The problem is that, in the US and UK, most people who want to sign up for Facebook have already done it,” said Ian Maude, a new media specialist at Enders Analysis. “There is a boredom factor where people like to try something new.”
In other major markets, such as Spain, France, Germany, Japan and Canada, the independent data showed Facebook is also experiencing a loss in visitors.
“Is Facebook going to go the way of MySpace? The risk is relatively small, but that is not to say it isn’t there,” added Maude.
Jeffries Bank analysts recently published a note that “suggests user levels in [the first quarter] may have declined from peak” in developed markets, after gathering data accumulated by its algorithm that interacts directly with Facebook.
Despite smartphone Facebook access doubling in a year to 69 minutes a month, the increased mobile usage may not be enough to counteract the decline in desktop access.
Users are apparently looking for alternative social networks as a Facebook replacement, which could include Instagram, the photo sharing social media network that amassed 30 million users in the 18 months prior to Facebook’s buyout.
Other alternatives could be Path, a mobile based social media site that limits users to 150 friends. Created by former Facebook employee Dave Morin, Path currently gains 1 million new users a week and has over 9 million already.
Via: The Guardian
