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Google+ Tops Twitter in Mobile App Popularity

A recent study from London-based GlobalWebIndex reveals that Google+ tops Twitter in terms of popularity with smartphone app users worldwide. The study places Google+ at number 4 behind Google Maps, F...
Google+ Tops Twitter in Mobile App Popularity
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  • A recent study from London-based GlobalWebIndex reveals that Google+ tops Twitter in terms of popularity with smartphone app users worldwide.

    The study places Google+ at number 4 behind Google Maps, Facebook, and YouTube. Twitter comes in at number 6, right behind Weixin/WeChat.

    Here are the top 10 in a nice infographic from Mashable. But what exactly do the numbers mean?
    Top Social Network Smartphone Apps
    Studies of social network usage often require a rather literal interpretation.

    For example, fans of HootSuite and Echofon might argue that the GlobalWebIndex study doesn’t appear to take into account third-party Twitter apps. If this is the case, do the study results really indicate that smartphone owners are spending more time on Google+ than Twitter? Or simply that more people are using the Google+ mobile app than Twitter’s own in-house app?

    The literal nature of social media usage studies is often cited when discussing results that, at first glance, show Google+ pulling ahead of Twitter in terms of overall users. As Media Bistro points out, it’s possible that the numbers of Google+ users are inflated because they include people who have a Google account in order to use Gmail or YouTube, but are rarely or never active on Google+.

    However, tying the GlobalWebIndex study into the great Google+ versus Twitter debate, if someone goes to the trouble of downloading the Google+ app on their smartphone, it’s probably safe to assume that they’re actually planning to get on Google+ instead of merely checking email or watching YouTube videos.

    What about you? What social network smartphone apps do you use most often? Let us know in the comments.

    Image credit: Google+ icon, chart

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