So is Facebook losing members?
Could Facebook Be About To Lose Popularity With Users Aged Between 12 and 17?
In recent months we have seen Facebook expand its efforts to combat the ever growing threat of SnapChat. But despite this analysts predicted on Monday that we could soon be starting to see a change on the social media horizon as Facebook the worlds biggest social media site, for the first time starts to lose popularity with young users.
Emarketer reported that Instagram and Snapchats uptake was surging in the US and UK while Facebook’s appeal is fading among teens and young adults. Despite this, it is expected that overall growth will continue despite the decline in younger users dragging its numbers down.
Facebooks decline in younger users is no doubt a concern for Facebook
But it is not as big a problem as it could have been. The growth of Instagram is slowing the rise in popularity of Snapchat and helping Facebook retain users. As we know Facebook owns Instagram. Facebook recognized the threat of Snapchat very early on, back in 2013 when Facebook tried to buy Snapchat for $3 Billion. This was deal that was declined with Snap much to their credit with them taking a “We are not for sale stance”
“The best thing is that, no matter whether or not you sell, you will learn something very valuable about yourself. If you sell, you will know immediately that it wasn’t the right dream anyways. And if you don’t sell you’re probably onto something. Maybe you have the beginning of something meaningful,” Evan Spiegel Snapchat CEO
Despite the continued growth of Snapchats user base Snap remains under pressure to prove it can compete with Facebook and its 2 billion monthly users. Shares of Snap are down 46% from their peak just a few months ago. Running costs are very high and Snap doesn’t seem to be able to combat Facebook’s relentless copying of Snapchat’s innovative social features.
Facebook losing members – So where is this all going?
Well, Facebook, as we have already stated, is the worlds biggest social site and that is not about to change. But despite Snapchats poor stock market performance and the challenges ahead they do seem to be making up some ground while Facebook loses members. And there is also good news for Snap that CNN has become the latest to make a daily news show for Snapchat. CNN isn’t shy about why it’s making this move: it wants to tap into a “young audience” and start “speaking their language.”
So why is Snapchat so popular with the 13 to 17 users?
Is it because Snap provides younger social media users with a space that they can call their own with older users not really understanding how Snapchat works or is it something else?
Let me know why you think Snapchat is so popular in the comments below.
Facebook losing members who would have thought we would have been saying that!
Regards
Dexter Roona
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Denise
The younger generation will always a need a home to call their own. Facebook has been taken over by their parents – there is no privacy. Most parents don’t get “it” and the self-destructing pictures are perfect for those that you wish you never sent. 😉 They have been trying to lure the “over25” crowd for years, but, honestly, they won’t have to worry about me.
Dexter Roona
Yes, spot on. if you are over 24 the Snap seems to be an alien concept. I’m gonna download and become a teenager again, i will let you know how I get on 😉
Dexter Roona recently posted…Is Facebook Losing Members in its battle with Snapchat?
Joy Healey
Hi Dexter,
That’s an interesting article, but as someone who uses Facebook (and social media in general) mainly for business, I have to confess it doesn’t really worry me if Facebook is losing its younger users. Because that’s not my target market 🙂
I’m looking for baby-boomers and those approaching retirement, so perhaps they’ll be making up a higher proportion of Facebook users.
I never even joined Snapchat – there just aren’t enough hours in the day for all these social media sites!
Joy Healey – Blogging After Dark
Joy Healey recently posted…Cash Back Stores From Global Shopping Rewards
Dexter Roona
Yes, you’re right for the vast majority of users this is not a problem. But as we know the internet is really going in a mobile direction and no one really understands mobile social media more than the youth of our society so you could argue that Snapchats member base is the future and that is a concern for Facebook and it’s investors.
jess
many apps will come and go but Facebook has reached to a level that no other will ever under take it now. Facebook is a giant and snapchat is no match too it.great article though loved it.
Dexter Roona
Facebook is online as well as app-based meaning you can access via your laptop or desktop and via the app. I think all sites that have both a traditional online presence and app are stronger than just those with apps.