The influence of social networks is higher in emerging countries - report

According to recent research, social network penetration in the above-mentioned countries ranged from 56 percent to 86 percent of internet users in 2011. In countries with relatively low internet penetration, the percentage of people using social networks is higher than the US’s 60 percent of internet users, the same source indicates.

The survey has shown that Indonesia and Russia have witnessed the highest social network penetration, reaching 86 percent for each in May 2011, up from 63 percent and 76 percent since 2010.

These are the findings of the “Global Digital Communication: Texting, Social Networking Popular Worldwide” report released by Pew Research Center and cited by emarketer.com.

Worldwide social network ad revenues are expected to surpass USD 8 billion by the end of 2012, with the US accounting for just under half of the total, eMarketer’s predictions from September 2011 have unveiled.

According to the source, non-US revenues were also expected to increase, due to marketers attempt to amplify brand awareness market share and profits in fast-growth countries like Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC) and beyond.

According to the TNS “Digital Life 2011” study users in BRIC countries, Indonesia and Mexico were more likely to perceive social networks as a good place to learn about and purchase brands and products than users in developed markets like Canada, the UK and the US.