Research and Markets: Social Network Content: Are Users Willing to Pay?

2009-11-11 13:49:02 -

Research and Markets ( www.researchandmarkets.com/research/234cd9/social_network_con : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. ) has announced the addition of eMarketer's new report " Social Network Content: Are Users Willing to Pay? : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww .. " to their offering.

On September 15, 2009, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg announced that the social network had surpassed the 300-million-member mark and reached cash-flow-positive status for the first

time. Those milestones validated Facebook's core concept of monetizing its service through advertising, and revived a lingering question that has swirled around social networking since its inception: Will users pay for content?

A close look at the social network landscape reveals that beyond mainstream sites such as Facebook and MySpace, paid content is alive and well. Networks that cater to market niches have particularly thrived on hybrids of paid models and ad-based systems. Some of these players, such as LinkedIn, Classmates.com and MyLife.com, are earning at least as much revenue from fee-based content and services as from advertising.

As the online ad market continues to struggle, paid services including membership fees, premium features and virtual goods will take on increasing urgency for social networks, either as primary revenue generators or ancillary income sources.

Key Questions.

- Are social network users willing to pay for content?
- What is the revenue outlook for paid social networking sites?
- What are the prospects for Facebook and Twitter charging their users?
- What strategies work for paid-content providers when ad-supported competitors enter the fray?

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary



- Us Paid Social Networking Site Revenues, 2008-2013 (Millions And % Change)


Key Questions


Paid Social Network Content



- Us Paid Social Networking Site Revenues, 2008-2013 (Millions And % Change)
- Us Online Social Network Advertising Spending, 2008-2011 (Millions And % Change)
- Best Way To Monetize Social Media According To Social Media Leaders In North America, February 2009 (% Of Respondents)
- Social Media Service For Which Social Media Leaders In North America Would Most Likely Pay, February 2009 (% Of Respondents)
- Social Media Service For Which Social Media Leaders In North America Would Advise A Business To Pay, February 2009 (% Of Respondents)


Competitive Strategies: Paid Vs. Free


Will Facebook And Twitter Charge Users?



- Us Adult Twitter Users, 2008-2010 (Millions And % Of Adult Internet Users)


Paid Services On Niche Networks


Controversies Over Paid Services


Conclusions


Endnotes


For more information visit www.researchandmarkets.com/research/234cd9/social_network_con : cts.businesswire.com/ct/CT?id=smartlink&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww ..



Research and MarketsLaura Wood, Senior Manager, press@researchandmarkets.com : mailto:press@researchandmarkets.com U.S.

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