Washington 6/16/2011 11:20:39 PM
News / Internet

New research shows Facebook users have more friends

By: Daun Lee

A research conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Internet and American Life Project dispels the myth that Facebook users are not the nerdy shut-ins that people might think.

Facebook critics have previously stated that using social media sites detaches people from real world interactions. According to the Pew Center’s study, which was released late Wednesday evening Facebook users have more close friends, are more trusting and are more active civically and politically.

The survey involved 2,255 American who were questioned via phone.

In the U.S., 59 percent of internet users belong to at least one social media forum. In 2008, only 34 percent belonged to a social networking site. The power of social media is also frequently used by businesses and SEO optimization.

Facebook users, who logged in frequently, several times a day for some, were found to have 9 percent more close friends than people who use only the internet. They were also 43 percent more likely to vote.

Business owners have discovered the laurels of social networking. According to Business Journals, who released a study earlier in the spring, 70 percent of business utilized social media. A SEO optimization firm can help a business maintain a social media page and grow their business. Small and mid-size businesses have begun to use social media and can see increased traffic to their website by employing SEO optimization. The power of social media is growing and instead of disconnecting people it is bringing them closer together.