Social Networking Trumps Email

Are you spending hours and hours on Orkut? If so, you are not alone. Networking and blogging sites account for almost 10% of time spent on the Internet - more than on email. Time on social networking sites ranked fourth, after online searching, general interest sites, and software sites. While two-thirds of the global online population already accesses member community sites, their vigorous adoption and the migration of time show no signs of slowing. One in every 11 minutes spent online globally is on networking sites.

In the past year, the reach of online networking sites grew more than 5%. Brazilians are the most avid fans of networking sites, according to the report. Eighty per cent of online Brazilians visit networking sites. Although Facebook is the most popular networking site globally, with 108.3 million unique visitors, preferences differ by nationality. In Brazil, Google’s networking site, Orkut, is number one. Many social networking sites were originally geared toward younger audiences, but the sites are no longer just for kids.