The Outlook for Social Networks (Market Focus)

SUMMARY

Abstract

Overview

Introduction

Virtual communities & online social networking sites are providing a new. powerful, & extremely popular medium for human connection. In the near term, infrastructure providers, social network providers, & wireless players stand to profit largely.

Scope of this report

• Shows growth in revenue and membership in the four major regions in the world.
• Covers the impact for major enterprises.

Research and analysis highlights

North America has led the world in social networking innovation and adoption, and is the most developed market in terms of advertising revenue.

This value chain will continue crystallizing, until each element required to design, build, maintain, operate and exist in a social network can be supplied separately.

Global social networking will grow and then plateau by 2012.

Key reasons to read this report

• Understand what makes a social networking service succeed.
• Gain insight into the fundamental drivers of the market
• Identify the strongest areas for growth.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

• DATAMONITOR VIEW
  • CATALYST
  • SUMMARY
• ANALYSIS
  • Global growth in social networking will plateau in the next five years
  • Three distinct paths to success have emerged for social networking services
    • People-based sites
      • People-based sites - offline relationships
      • People-based sites - online relationships
    • Content-based sites
    • Special-interest sites
    • General success factors for social networks
  • Major enterprises have committed to social networking as a marketing channel
    • Building a presence in existing social networks
    • Leveraging brand to create social networking properties
    • Adding selected social networking components to existing web sites
  • A nascent value chain is emerging
  • Innovation will continue at a high pitch
• APPENDIX
  • Definitions
    • Social network
    • Social networking service
    • Membership
  • Methodology
  • Further reading
  • Ask the analyst
  • Datamonitor consulting
  • Disclaimer
  • List of Tables
    • Table 1: Global social networking revenue, 2006-2012
    • Table 2: Global social networking memberships, 2006-2012
  • List of Figures
    • Figure 1: Global social networking revenue, 2006-2012
    • Figure 2: Global social networking memberships, 2006-2012