Social networking on mobile accelerates 37%

More than 72 million Americans accessed social networking sites or blogs via their mobile devices in August, 37% up year-on-year from the same time last year, according to data via comScore.

Here are 5 quick observations we can pull out of their data:

1. Nearly one-third of all U.S. mobile users are now accessing social media services
2. More than Half of Mobile Social Networkers Access Sites on a Near Daily Basis
3. Facebook Mobile Audience Approaches 60 Million Users
4. 70 Percent of Mobile Social Networkers Posted a Status Update While on Their Mobile Device
5. More than half read a post from an organisation, brand or event while on their mobile device

There is no doubt that social networking via mobile devices is on the up-and-up. This is inline of course with sales of such devices, especially smartphones. Comscore also suggest that “This behaviour is even more prevalent among smartphone owners with three in five accessing social media each month,” said Mark Donovan, comScore senior vice president for mobile.

We know that the social networks are seeing this impact, only this week we're seeing the iPhone 4s (with Twitter integration) directly impacting new Twitter registrations, not a little, but helping triple the rate of new sign-ups for the social network according the their CEO.

Not surprising then that more than 38 million people accessed a social networking site or blog via an app in August, representing a 126% change from 12 months previous. For now though the browser still remains the most popular mode of social networking on mobile with 42 million U.S. mobile users accessing social media sites via a mobile browser, Safari on the iPhone.

Two take-aways here that we'd like your thoughts on:

1. Mobile internet access of course won't just be limited to social network usage, but much wider services and content. Though this research only looks at social network usage of course
2. If social media matters to your business, and you appreciate the power of users and consumers interacting and sharing with your content, think through the implications of mobile over desktop accessibility as you develop web sites, web services and of course web content:
   • You need to remember users are most likely 'on the go', distracted, maybe moving as they read
   • You'll have short time windows of interaction, sweet and easy to digest content will matter
   • Mobile apps for are popular and getting more so due to the one-click on/off

Are you seeing any change in the way your website is used, positive or negative impact? What do you think marketers will need to change to accommodate this shift?