Mobile social networking use grows 182% over 2007

The volume of U.S. wireless subscribers who accessed social networks via mobile device increased 182 percent between September 2007 and October 2008 according to a new consumer study conducted by research firms The Kelsey Group and ConStat. In all, 9.6 percent of U.S. subscribers ages 18 and over connected with a social network via mobile handset in October 2008, compared to just 3.4 percent in September 2007.

Other highlights of the Kelsey Group/ConStat report: In October 2008, 15.6 percent of subscribers searched the mobile web for local products or services (compared to 9.8 percent in September 2007), 14.3 percent searched the mobile web for products or services outside of their local area (compared to 6.4 percent), 13.7 percent accessed mobile for information on movies or other entertainment (compared to 8.2 percent), 11.7 percent accessed info on restaurants or bars (compared to 9.0 percent) and 8.4 percent watched or purchased a mobile video clip (compared to 4.4 percent).

eMarketer forecasts that by 2012 over 800 million users worldwide will access social networks via mobile device, up from 82 million in 2007. While the total mobile social networking user population will still account for less than 20 percent of the combined global mobile user base, eMarketer anticipates those users will enjoy a disproportionate impact on marketing, media and mobile communications because creating and sharing digital content makes up such a significant component of the social networking experience.

For more on the mobile social networking forecast:
- read this Emarketer article [1]

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MySpace, Facebook widen mobile social networking [2] lead
Five mobile social networking [3] services you should get to know