The Power of Twitter – How effective is it anyway?

Twitter has been creating lot of media buzz, and is in fact the fastest growing site with an increase of 1,928 % year-over-year, according to the recent reports. Its one million unique visitors in the month of June 2008 to 21 million unique visitors in the month of June 2009 make Twitter the 4^th most visited 10 Member Community Destinations in June.

However, reports from LinkedIn Research Network/Harris Poll indicate that this micro-blogging service could be more of a craze than anything else in the US. According to the reports, very few people say that Twitter is a very effective tool for promoting products and ideas.

What people think

Highlights from the report:

• Over two-thirds, i.e., 69% of the users say they do not know enough about Twitter to have an opinion about it.
• Over 1 out of 10, i.e., 12 % users say it is just at its infancy.
• 12% users also say it is just something that young people and the media will use.
• 8% of users say it is already over and it’s time to find the next best thing.
• 11% of 18-39 year olds do not know enough about Twitter to have an opinion.
• Half of adults, i.e., 55% of users who are between 18-34 years old say they don’t know enough to have an opinion, compared to 80% of those 55 and older.

[Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding| Base: All adults, US]

How effective is Twitter for the end user?

Highlights from the report:

• 8% of users say it is very effective for promoting ideas and products
• 42% believe it is just somewhat effective.
• 31%, i.e., 3 out of 10 users say Twitter is not that effective
• 19% users feel it is not at all effective for promoting products and ideas.

[Note: Percentages may not add up to 100% due to rounding | Base: All adults, US]

Share your comments on what you think about Twitter and how useful you find it.