Social networks becoming increasingly niche

Social networking sites are going through a segmenting of sorts, with lots of smaller and niche networks being formed which are growing in popularity. While MySpace still commands roughly 84% of the entire social networking market share, smaller and newer entrants like Buzznet and iMeem are gaining in popularity each week. According to LeeAnn Prescott, director of research at Hitwise, "Social networking has been rising in popularity steadily for the past two to three years."

The Hitwise survey tracked visitors at the top 20 social networking sites which rose by 11.5% from janruary to February, with the largest increase belonging to Buzznet, which grew 148.4% and iMeen which grew 145.7% during the period. MySpace users also increased by 10.2% during the same period.

Several factors likely contribute to the increase in site traffic, including a recent increase in the number of users in their 20s and 30s coming around to the technology, as well as the genre's ever-growing teen market, according to Amanda Vega, a principal analyst with Vega Consulting.

"Kids have a circle of influence that spreads rapidly," Vega told the E-Commerce Times. "Now, we are seeing older users finally coming around."

In addition, the growth hangs on the use of social networking sites in the U.S. political process -- national political campaigns have been adopting the technology as a marketing Free Trial. Reduce returned mail by verifying addresses before they enter your database vehicle and a way to broadcast political messages.