Teens who visit MySpace and Facebook return more often

The most recent report from online metrics firm Nielsen//Netratings indicates that marketers may have more luck targeting users who visit more than one social networking hub.

by Kristina Knight

The report also found that the 12-17 demographic increased their use of the social networks more than 120% in August.

According to the report, users between the ages of 12 - 17 who visit both MySpace and Facebook, spend more time on both sites than users who visit only one or the other of the social networks. Here is the break down: in the 12-17 demographic, users who visited both sites spent 20% more time on MySpace than users who only visited MySpace. Facebook saw an even great increase (26%) from users who frequented both sites than from users who were exclusive visitors to Facebook.

"[Teens] are venturing onto multiple networks to experience new features and broaden their connections,” said Jason Lee, media analyst, Nielsen//NetRatings. “This demographic is typically drawn to what’s new, and since they are growing up online, they are not afraid of learning the latest Web technologies.”

Though the report focuses on teen users, the trend is one that marketers should watch because the use of social networks in all age groups is growing at astonishing rates. With so many new users signing on and experienced users looking for new networks to try, it makes sense to keep a steady flow of campaigns going into the social space.