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If you are one of the 150 million members who logs in to Facebook everyday invariably to connect with friends, ex colleagues, acquaintances, college mates, school buddies or business associates, give yourself a pat on your back for contributing to Facebook’s rising popularity.

When Facebook made a quiet debut in social networking market in early February 2004, it was just another entrant in a pack. Originated in the dorms of Harvard University by founder Mark Zuckerberg and his friends, within 24 hours, 1,200 Harvard students had signed up on Facebook and soon after that the network was quickly extended to other colleges and universities.

The site was super simple but its allure lay in its exclusiveness. Its restricted access to University students only, tempted non users to know what it was like. Soon, the buzz caught on with everyone around the world getting curious to be a part of it and see how Facebook worked.

Over the years, Facebook grew, both in accessibility and in flashiness. And now 5 years down the line, it has emerged seemingly out of nowhere to become a major contender in the social networking space, fighting hard for a second place in the market against social networking giant Twitter and overtaking My Space’s 130 million user record.

Today the site is translated across 35 languages with another 60 in development. More than half of its 150 million unique users are not at college and the fastest growing demographic is 30 years old and above. Everyday more than 15 million users update their status to tell their friends what they are doing. An average Facebook user spends more than two hours each day on-site. The figures speak for themselves.

So what’s behind this exponential growth and popularity of Facebook as a social networking platform? Is it because of its strategy to open up to new applications or the greater connectivity it offers to other social networks? Facebook’s willingness to change and evolve has clearly been the key to its success. As also its awareness that change should be steady and pragmatic.

Perhaps Professor B J Fogg, who ran a course called the ‘Psychology of Facebook’ at Stanford University, sums it up best in his own words to BBC news, “The genius of Facebook isn’t the technology or the interface. Facebook is winning because it puts friends first. Our relationships shape our online experience. No technology is better than our friendships”.

Facebook has changed the game for all consumer-facing companies. Just the reason why if you are a corporate and want to reach and influence everyday people, you’ve got to understand Facebook. And we help you do just that!

If you are still are stuck in the traditional way of marketing and positioning your brand, then you really need to wake up and smell the coffee !!! Call the experts who can help you navigate your brand in the changing online media landscape. Make your move now! Call us right away!

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