It wasn't too long ago that "old people," those over 25, were persona non grata on Facebook. Marketers looked at it as this incredible youth targeting tool, and any company who wanted to sell anything to anyone under the legal drinking age damn well better get on that Facebook thing. I used to laugh as my old boss used to toss out Facebook like it was the second coming of the Branding Christ, although she had seemingly little understanding of how it worked, let alone how users related to it. (Calling it "The Face Book" in presentations didn't help.)
I got on Facebook early last year when I realized that to actually speak intelligently about it, I had better use it. A funny thing happened: I liked using it. Perhaps too much. Since joining, I have amassed (as of today) 365 "friends." One of the most amazing things is that I have reconnected with at least 50 people i had totally lost touch with. That in itself is probably the best benefit.
Apparently, as one who turns 50 this year, I am not alone. iStrategyLabs' 2009 demographic study of Facebook shows the 35-54 age segment grew 276%.
The key findings...
2) The 55+ demo is not far behind with a 194.3% growth rate
3) The 25-34 year population on Facebook is doubling every 6 months
4) For those interested in advertising alcohol on Facebook, there are 27,912,480 users 21+, representing 66.3% of all users
5) Miami is the fastest growing metropolitan area (88.5%) and Atlanta (6.4%) is the slowest
6) There are more females (55.7%) than males (42.2%) on Facebook - 2.2% are of unknown gender.
7) The largest demographic concentration remains the college crowd of 18-24 year olds
(40.8%) which is down from (53.8%) six months ago.
WTF, Atlanta? Too cool for Facebook?
As much as anything else, i have to think ease of use and instant gratification, coupled with the proliferation of portable versions and attendant applications drive the aging up of the Facebook user profile. It's not that it's suddenly getting old. It's just building out as it's owners likely have hoped. I know that for me, I really began to use it as more than a curiosity once I linked other things together... Facebook, Twitter, Ping.fm, and my iPhone all work together. I use it to promte my own blog posts, call attention to other people's worthy blog content, keep in (minimal) touch with friends, and provide a venue for snarky remarks. It's also my principal mode of communication with my nieces and nephews.
But, I swear, if my 82 year old Dad gets on Facebook, I'm quitting. No one wants their parents seeing that crap.
Go here to see some more Facebook demographic fun facts in table form.
Comments