eMarketer reports that, according to the "Consumer Internet Barometer," the majority of Twitter users (42%) use the service to communicate with their friends. About 29% use Twitter to update their status, 26% to find news, and 21% for work-related reasons. Oddly, only 0.3% said that they use Twitter for fun. Significantly more women use Twitter to keep in touch with friends than men (48.4% vs. 33.6%). Besides this, though, there is little difference between how men and women use the service. About half of the survey respondents were introduced to the service by a friend or family member, and a third heard 
about Twitter from a co-worker.
about Twitter from a co-worker. Why People Use Twitter
When it comes to different age groups on the service, there are a number of clear differences. Users under 35 are more likely to use Twitter to keep in touch with their friends (43.8% vs. 39% for those over 35). These younger users are also significantly more likely to use Twitter to update their status (38% vs. 19%).
Interestingly, though, users over 35 are far more likely to use Twitter for work-related reasons (29%), and the older the user, the more likely they are to use Twitter for research. 16.2% of those over 55 report that they use Twitter for research purposes, while only 7% of respondents under 35 say that they use Twitter in this fashion.
These numbers clearly show that users under 35 are far more comfortable with the idea of publicly broadcasting their status, while older users tend to have a slightly more utilitarian approach to the service.
Who Do They Talk To?
When it comes to who people talk to on Twitter, women are significantly more likely to use the service to talk to their friends and family members. Almost 30% of all respondents also use the service to interact with celebrities - which is clearly a driving force in the mains
tream adoption of the service. About 24% use it to talk to bloggers (you can find RWW here), 13% use it to talk to their employers and co-workers, and 11% use the service to interact with brands.
Why Do You Use Twitter and Who Do You Talk To?
Do you use Twitter more to keep in touch with friends and family, or to do research? And when you use it to talk to other users, who do you talk to? You can find our own poll just below this post (note: you can check more than one answer).
When it comes to different age groups on the service, there are a number of clear differences. Users under 35 are more likely to use Twitter to keep in touch with their friends (43.8% vs. 39% for those over 35). These younger users are also significantly more likely to use Twitter to update their status (38% vs. 19%).
Interestingly, though, users over 35 are far more likely to use Twitter for work-related reasons (29%), and the older the user, the more likely they are to use Twitter for research. 16.2% of those over 55 report that they use Twitter for research purposes, while only 7% of respondents under 35 say that they use Twitter in this fashion.
These numbers clearly show that users under 35 are far more comfortable with the idea of publicly broadcasting their status, while older users tend to have a slightly more utilitarian approach to the service.
Who Do They Talk To?
When it comes to who people talk to on Twitter, women are significantly more likely to use the service to talk to their friends and family members. Almost 30% of all respondents also use the service to interact with celebrities - which is clearly a driving force in the mains
tream adoption of the service. About 24% use it to talk to bloggers (you can find RWW here), 13% use it to talk to their employers and co-workers, and 11% use the service to interact with brands.Why Do You Use Twitter and Who Do You Talk To?
Do you use Twitter more to keep in touch with friends and family, or to do research? And when you use it to talk to other users, who do you talk to? You can find our own poll just below this post (note: you can check more than one answer).
