Google+ is well-positioned to become the second-largest social networking site in the US within the next 12 months, according to research carried out by Bloomberg/YouGov. With some 16 million online adults planning to join the platform over the next year it is positioned to surpass Myspace, Twitter, and LinkedIn in US audience figures in 2012.
And the demographics of Google+ users are significantly different from those of other social networks, the study finds. While the likes of Facebook and LinkedIn mature as products, they attract a more mature demographic. But Google early adopters skew young, male and educated, with three men coming onboard for every two women (versus one man for every 1.2 women on Facebook); 43% of membership is 18 to 29 (31% for Facebook)’ 59% have a college degree (37% for Facebook), and 48% are single (33% of Facebook users).
And As Google+ gains followers, it is likely to negatively impact Facebook usage – 30% of Facebook users who already log on to Google+ plan on cutting down time spent on the Social Network this year.
“Google+ is tracing a path similar to Facebook’s initial growth – building excitement in a core group of early adopters,” says Michael Nardis, head of YouGov investment products. “For Facebook, it was college students. For Google+, that path is young, educated, single men who are heavy internet users.”