Google moves into Twitter territory with new social status stream
The Wall Street Journal announced Google may introduce social features as soon as this week. In Twitter-esque fashion. Google’s newest feature would let users view a stream of status updates from their online connections. The WSJ’s sources said this may launch as soon as this week.
Google eventually plans to incorporate YouTube and Picasa into the new status stream. The time frame for that is uncertain.
Right now, Google allows users to set an away status, similar to instant messenger’s away message.
This is the second time Google made a splash in online news this week. Last night’s Super Bowl commercial “Parisian love” was also a first for the company. The video had been on YouTube since November, but was new to most of the country. Here are some live thoughts:
What do you think about Google’s newest venture into social media? With YouTube, Google Reader, and Picasa already under its wing and Twitter functions soon to be, could Google be the social media hub of the future?
Facebook redesign… again
I was hoping to review Facebook’s new layout today, but as this blogger isn’t one of the 80 million that got it today, the review will have to wait until Monday.
Until then, here’s video from a post on Mashable on Facebook’s 6th birthday, 400 million users, and newest redesign.
Twitter & Blogging aren’t the best ways to reach teens online
To continue on yesterday’s topic of social media & higher education, here’s an interesting article from Mashable about the latest trends for teens in social media.
For higher education marketers, these trends are important when promoting your school to potential undergraduate applicants. While blogs and Twitter are great ways to keep up with alumni, they aren’t reaching high school students.
A new study published today by Pew Internet finds that teens and young adults are blogging less and using social networking sites more, with the prominent exception of Twitter.
Pew’s Report surveyed 2,253 American adults and 800 U.S. teens to get a reading of how they use the Internet, which gadgets they own, and which social media tools they use the most.
Some of the data will surprise you.
The Internet’s Everywhere
Here’s a no-brainer: Young adults use the web far more than older adults. In its study, Pew found that 93% of teens and young adults go online, compared to only 38% of adults over 65 years of age. It surprises us that 7% of 12-29 year olds still don’t browse the web, but some just don’t have or can’t afford access.
Among those teens going online, 63% say they go online at least once a day, with older teens more likely to go online than younger teens.
Most are connecting with high-speed connections as well. Seventy-six percent of families with teenage children have broadband connections, while 10% still use dial-up, 8% have no computer and 4% have a computer but no Internet access. For comparison, 49% of families used dial-up in 2004.
The Internet’s getting faster and more accessible. As computer prices drop and Internet access becomes more readily available, we should see these Internet usage numbers continue to rise.
The Laptop Is More Popular than the Desktop
In terms of gadgets, more teenagers have cell phones (76%) than a computer (69%). More than half of 12 year olds own a mobile phone, while a rather impressive 83% of teenagers carry a cell phone in their pockets. That number only rises with age — a full 93% of 18-29 year olds own a cell phone.The mobile trend even continues into the computing realm: Laptops have overtaken the desktop for those under 30. Sixty-sex percent of adults 18-29 own a laptop, while 53% own a desktop. Other interesting trends: Males are more likely to own a cell phone, income dramatically affects computer ownership but not cell phone ownership, and race is a non-factor when it comes to the percentage of adults using cell phones.
Teens Just Don’t Blog. Or Tweet.
As you might have guessed, Pew found that teens are avid social networkers: 73% of 12-17 year olds, in fact. They are posting pictures, commenting on status updates and sending IMs.What they aren’t doing much of, though, is blogging and tweeting.
Pew’s study finds that blogging has dramatically decreased in popularity with the younger crowed since 2006, where 28% of teens reported that they were bloggers. Now that number has dropped to just 14%. Interestingly enough, lower income households (under $50,000) report more blogging than higher income ones. With Facebook, Twitter and other social tools to keep your friends updated about your life, blogging just isn’t as necessary.
Perhaps we shouldn’t include Twitter in that list of social media tools teens use, though. As we’ve reported on multiple occasions, teens don’t tweet, and Pew’s numbers don’t disagree with that assertion:
Yes, only 8% of teens use Twitter, remarkably small when compared to most social networks. Only one in 10 high schoolers use Twitter. Among this small group though, the girls are more likely to be microblogging: 13% of 14-17 year old girls reported using the service.
Conclusions: Teens Aren’t Heavy Content Creators
First, it’s important to note that most of this data was taken from September 2009. A lot changes in social media in a five-month period.With that said, though, the trends seem clear: Teens love to be online, but they’re not terribly interested in writing blog posts or maintaining a stream of tweets. Creating content takes time and energy that they’d rather exert on Facebook, texting, YouTube or other online activities. And of course, they have school and friends.
Let’s face it: Teenagers haven’t had the time to build up expertise, life experiences or a career that would merit content creation. Without that expertise, fewer people are inclined to listen to what they have to say, and without that knowledge, teenagers have less to talk about.
As my colleague Barb Dybwad also brings up, a teenager’s social circle is far smaller and more closely defined than an adult’s network. Perhaps this is why more closed networks like Facebook are more appealing to teenagers than Twitter, which is a completely public experience. Blogging was a more intimate experience a few years back, which could also explain why more teens have abandoned personal blogs over the last few years.
Combined, it means that Twitter just might not be for the average teenager. Let us know what you think in the comments.
How the top 4 US colleges use social media
The top colleges in the US aren’t shying away from social media. Whether Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Flickr, or blogs, colleges are using social media to recruit new students, interact with alumni, inform parents, and to showcase their university to the world.
The list below represents the top 4 colleges in the US. Take a look at how they’re using social media to stay ahead.
1. United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy uses a wide variety of social media tools. On Facebook, the admissions office claims 2,345 fans and potential students interact on the Facebook wall daily. The Facebook page also links to the Admissions blog where interested prospects can find out more about USMA student life. On YouTube, USMA’s online audience can watch the online show “The Point,” which is based around the lives of current students at USMA. USMA also uses YouTube for Media Relations where they show off their students and highlight press coverage.
USMA’s parents of students are also involved online with 2,290 Fans on Facebook and 247 followers on Twitter. Through these sites, parents share event information, photos, and advice while welcoming new members into the USMA family.
The West Point Association of Graduates has also gotten in on the action with 4,230 Facebook fans, 414 Twitter followers, and active accounts on Picasa, Flickr, and YouTube. With social media, alumni reconnect, keep up on current WestPoint events, and share stories and photos from their college days.
Princeton uses Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, iTunes, and a blog to keep up with students, faculty, and prospects. On Facebook, YouTube, and the blog, Princeton posts articles that highlight the achievements of the university and its faculty, students, and graduates. The Twitter page links back to the blog and features events. On iTunes you can find presentations or lectures on topics ranging from quantum computing to women in theatre. There’s even a presentation on social media’s debut at Princeton.
Princeton’s Alumni Facebook and Twitter pages feature content from the blog and allow alumni to continue interacting after graduation.
3. California Institute of Technology
Caltech’s admissions office features 5 student blogs that detail the lives of students at various places in their college career as they attend CalTech. Caltech also runs a Twitter account focused on the latest interesting science news.
Caltech’s Alumni Association has really embraced social media through a LinkedIn group, Facebook page, Flickr photostream, and an active Twitter account. The alumni reconnect and post news about CalTech and its graduates.
Facebook and Twitter for Williams College serve as a way to connect with students, faculty, and graduates and distribute the latest news about Williams College and higher education. On YouTube, Williams College offers video lectures and presentations, special videos for alumni, and videos from commencement.
So what do you think? Which college is using social media in the best way? How does your alma matter use social media?
Pepsi chooses social media over Super Bowl: Is it working?
Back in December, Pepsi shocked news outlets by abandoning a 23-year tradition of placing Super Bowl ads in exchange for giving away over $20 million in a social media campaign. Voting has officially started for Pepsi’s “Refresh Everything” campaign, which rewards its virtual audience with between $5,000 and $250,000 for individuals, businesses, or charitable organizations who want to turn their ideas about bettering the world into a reality. Pepsi accepts up to 1000 submissions during the first 2 weeks of the month, and then lets the virtual audience vote on their favorites by the end of the month. Up to 32 submissions can win per month.
Pepsi is using Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, and the “Refresh Everything” website to promote the contest. Celebrities Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon and their “Refresh Everything” ideas are featured on Pepsi’s Facebook page. Facebook users are invited to fan the Pepsi page and vote for their favorite celebrity idea. On Twitter, Pepsi is frequently interacting with followers and posting to the hashtag #PepsiRefresh. Several promotional videos have appeared on Pepsi’s YouTube over the last month with the most recent featuring Demi Moore and Kevin Bacon discussing their ideas. Mashable wrote yesterday that Pepsi is receiving the most positive online buzz right now.
Now that the facts are out there, let’s discuss their implications. A recent study showed over 85 percent of senior marketers call social networks/applications a “top priority” or “important” for 2010. Pepsi’s significant step away from their iconic and expensive Super Bowl ads and gravitation towards social media marketing demonstrates a shift in the way companies are approaching marketing communications. Engagement is more than a metric; it’s the whole point.
What do you think of Pepsi’s online campaign? Now that the campaign has launched in full-force, will it be as successful as Super Bowl ads?
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