Social Media Users React To Facebook Changes
The Facebook Facelift
The Facebook Facelift
When Facebook users logged into their accounts a day before the F8 Conference on 22nd September, they were surprised to see an unexpected facelift. While the users were still trying to figure out the new layout, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg formally announced the design overhaul at the companys Annual Developers Conference. According to some industry experts, this was Facebooks response to Google+, while the skeptics felt that the changes were uncalled for and could raise security issues. However, Zuckerberg thought otherwise. According to the CEO, the new Timeline and Open Graph features can radically change how users display their information and the way they discover new content. Nevertheless, the changes baffled the networking behemoths users. Some threatened to quit Facebook, while others simply tweeted their displeasure. This is not the first time Facebook has made changes. In 2009, the network revamped its page, eliciting similar reactions from users who were not too happy with the changes. However, Zuckerberg preferred not to revert to the old Facebook format despite the demands from fans, and stuck to his decision. Critics were sure to see a dip in the networking giants then 175 million user count. Considering Facebooks dominance in the networking world and the obvious lack of competitors, the companys user count has crossed a healthy 800 million today; that was until Google+ was launched. Facebook vs Google PlusLet us look at the how Googles networking new-kid-on-the-block and Facebook have played out so far:
Late June 2011: Google announces the launch of Google+, creating a stir in the tech world.
Early July: Google+ allows limited users to register through invites (similar to its Gmail launch).
Almost simultaneously Facebook announces plans to introduce its video calling option, in partnership with Skype.
Early August: After going from invitation-only to open-access Googles latest attempt at going social amasses +20 million registered users.
September was clearly a busy month for both; A few hours after Google+ announced a host of new features, Facebook responded by unveiling their redesign.
The Facebook community does not seem too happy with these changes. Also, Facebooks latest batch of online sharing technology has raised privacy concerns from critics and privacy groups. According to Internet security software developer Bitdefender, Facebooks changes may expose users to targeted attacks from cybercriminals, spambot infestations like the ones that plague Twitter, interactive scams, and other unwelcome threats. While the critics and privacy groups continue to debate about the networks advantages and restrictions, let us look at how the users reacted.
Changes Spark Online Reactions
The Brand Monitor Team at Position analyzed the social media buzz surrounding Facebooks design overhaul (for the time period between 11th September 2011 and 11th October 2011). Unsurprisingly, the conversation volumes for Facebook spiked significantly after 21st September (4,855), with baffled users discussing the change, exchanging opinions, and complaining about the unexpected move. With more and more people joining the conversation, the volumes peaked on 28th September 2011, at 6,942.
Overall Sentiment Analysis and Top Media Breakdown
Facebook Changes - Top Media BreakupWith the digital space abuzz with conversations, we decided to further study how the volumes were distributed across top media platforms. Heres what our findings revealed:
Although the subject of discussion was New Facebook or Facebook Changes, it was Twitter that registered the maximum buzz at 51%.
Facebook, interestingly, accounted for the least buzz, at just 9%.
Blogs and discussion forums recorded 21% and 12% conversation volumes respectively.
One of the reasons why Twitter could have registered the highest volumes could be because it is a microblogging platform, while Facebook is a networking tool. Twitter, with its retweet option, accelerates how conversations travel, thereby increasing the possibility of reaching a larger audience.
Of the +67,000 posts registered totally, we were eager to see how people reacted to this change. This is what the overall sentiment analysis showed:
Facebook Changes - Conversation VolumeFacebook Changes - Overall Sentiment
50% of the networking community did not welcome the change (negative sentiment). While some users felt that this was an invasion of privacy, others openly expressed their dislike and asked Zuckerberg to fix the changes.
Facebook Changes - Twitter User Feedback - Example
The conversations that were neutral in tonality, at 43%, were mostly news feeds and discussions on how to use the new Facebook features.
A small percentage (7%) said that change was good. The conversations that were positive in tonality included posts that called the new revamp cool and said that it only took a little getting used to.
Demographics
Facebook Changes - Demographics
The changes or revamp was talked about the most in the USA, at 52%.
This was followed by Australia and the UK at 16% and 14% respectively.
Countries like India (2%), Singapore (2%) and New Zealand (1%), which incidentally account for the a large percentage of Facebook users, recorded negligible buzz.
The gender breakdown shows that the male population was more concerned about the changes (at 57%), when compared to women (43%).
As expected, the 20-35 age bracket was most active (40%) in discussions pertaining to New Facebook.
The +65 age group was relatively unconcerned about the revamp and decided to remain silent (0%).
The
by: Brand Monitor
Social Media An Effective Tool For Seo Bed Bug Control: Immediate Solution To A Long Term Problem The Most Effective Techniques To Boost Your Affiliate Commissions Immediately The Best Techniques To Boost Your Affiliate Commissions Immediately The Responsibilities Of A Social Media Manager Media Conference On Sustainable Tourism To Be Held In Jamaica How To Get Targeted Audience Using Social Media Media Equality: A Life Is Not A Life By Ronn Torossian Using Social Media Famous Australians In Media Importance Of News Media Identifying The Best Offshore Social Media Company The Social Media Phenomenon