The reason Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is described as the world’s largest social network is that it boasts the highest number of active users and even none of its competitors come close. With over 1.32 billion monthly active users, Facebook dwarfs Twitter Inc (NYSE:TWTR)’s monthly active user base of 284 million. However, there is something interesting about how the company acquires users and keeps them on the network. According to an article on The Atlantic, playing around with metrics helps Facebook to attract more users and keep them engaged on the network in a manner that is almost irresistible.
Users of Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) are familiar with such things as “Likes” and a whole lot of other notifications. By keeping its more than 1.32 billion users updated about how many people “like” their posts or how a particular post is trending, Facebook creates the appetite in users to keep clicking and even position. As a result, people spend more time on the network, and they also find better things to keep them on the network, which works well for Facebook’s user retention and growth.
With an app known as The Facebook Demetricator, The Atlantic reported that artist and programmer, Ben Grosser, obtained interesting insight about the Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) numbers. Grosser’s app allowed users to hide Facebook notification metrics such as the amount of “likes” on their posts and related numerical updates. As it turned out, such tweaks had a profound impact on how users of the app interacted with Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB). Some users of Demetricator expressed concerns that doing away with the numerical notifications almost took away the whole point of being on Facebook. That clearly illustrated how Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) adds more users numbers to its side by keeping users updated through activity metrics.
Over the years Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) has worked to tweak its platform. Such tweaks seek to enhance user experience, and it seems that the aspect of activity notifications and the newsfeed are helping the company to keep and boost its towering user-count.
However, in so doing, the company is becoming a thorn in the flesh of traditional media publishers. According the Guardian, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) was posing a dilemma for the publishers, almost threatening the life of their businesses. However, it continues to be one of the most used Social Media websites.
Ken Griffin‘s Citadel Investment Group held4.58 million shares of Facebook Inc. (NASDAQ:FB) at the end of June 2014.
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