Category: Social Media Marketing

The app for the biggest network in the world is now installed on 70 percent of these Apple smartphones.

A newly released report is underscoring the fact that social media marketing is an ideal fit in the mobile environment, as it discussed the considerable role played by Facebook on one of the top smartphones worldwide, the iPhone from Apple.

The report looked into the importance of the network on this popular mobile device.

This publication was created with data that was gleaned from Benedict Evans, an analyst from Enders Analysis. It helps to provide a more thorough understanding of the influence that social media marketing has on mobile commerce and consumer behaviors. Specifically, it looks at the relationship between the use of the Facebook app and the iPhone smartphone.

The social media marketing app is easily among the most commonly used on a worldwide scale.

Back in September 2012, Evans had released the social media marketing news that Facebook’s smartphone app had achieved 470 million users. That said, it was its use on the iPhone that was especially important, as it was those users who were especially likely to download the application.

At that point, there were already more than one billion people registered with Facebook. The install base on iPhones in that month was an estimated 200 million. The recent social media marketing report has been able to extrapolate from this information that there is, therefore, a tremendous 70 percent market penetration among the users of that device.

This also means that the social media marketing app penetration of Facebook within iPhone devices is considerably higher than that among Android smartphone users. The report suggested that this could be an issue of geography, as many users of Android devices live in emerging markets where the use of the social network is considerably lower.

However, the authors also indicated that even among those on Android who do have the app, the engagement level is notably lower. It was speculated that this could reflect a quality issue with the social media marketing application on that operating system. Equally, Evans stated that there is another trend that this data has clearly identified, which is that the “Use of smartphone apps is surging as a share of Facebook, up from 240 million in September 2011 (30% of the total) to 470 million (44%) in September 2012.”

Foursquare aims to expand some of its services

Location-based services are becoming more popular for businesses and consumers. These services offer benefits for both parties: Businesses can use geographic information to formulate better marketing strategies and consumers can be rewarded for their loyalty to a specific company by “checking-in” to a location. Checking-in to locations is a trend that has taken the social media space by storm. Foursquare is one of the pioneers of this service in the social sector, and the platform is now taking steps to streamline its location-based services.

Platform aims to streamline its practice

Foursquare has announced changes to its terms and conditions documents, which will take effect on January 28, 2013. The social media platform is looking to better streamline its services for businesses and consumers. For years, Foursquare has been one of the most prominent names in social media marketing and location-based services, but other social networks have begun to encroach upon the platform’s virtual turf. In an effort to stay relevant with consumers and businesses, Foursquare is taking steps to provide better service.

New policies could be of benefit to businesses

One of the changes being made to the platform’s privacy policy involves the names of its users. Foursquare will begin showing the full name of each user across its entire platform, allowing this information to be seen by anyone. Users can, of course, opt out of having their full name displayed without being faced with any penalties in terms of service. Another change involves the check-in history businesses can see. Traditionally, businesses could only view check-ins over the most recent three-hour period. After the changes go live, however, businesses will be able to keep better track of their traffic.

Foursquare manages to stay ahead of the competition, for now

The changes may help businesses provide better rewards for consumers that check-in frequently, while also allowing these businesses to access information that can be used for marketing campaigns. In 2012, Foursquare reported more than 15 million new users and celebrated the 3 billionth check-in. While several other social networks are pushing new location-based services, Foursquare continues to hold a solid lead over its competitors.