Social networking types revealed

Research was recently commissioned to identify the types of users of social networking websites MySpace and Facebook. The results revealed six distinct types.

by Helen Leggatt

Previously undetected categories of MySpace user have been revealed in the results of extensive research commissioned by the social networking website. As well as identifying with various tribes, users also fall in to one of six personality types.

The research, MySpace 08: People. Content. Culture., asked around a thousand MySpace and Facebook users the way in which they used the social networking sites.

Most of the users came under the “essentialist” category, those who primarily use social networking to keep in touch with friends and family.

“Transumers” make up 28 percent of users. This type is a follower of trends, unlike the “connectors” who actively seeks out new trends and cool content and spread the word and make up 10 percent of users.

Five percent of users are self-appointed talent scouts who spend their time searching the social networking sites. They are called “scene-breakers” and share their newly-discovered online talent on the social networks.

Finally there are the “collaborators” (5 percent), facilitators who enjoy bringing users together to create projects, teams and events and the ever-present online money-spinners, “netrepreneurs” making up just 4 percent.