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Blue Collar? MySpace. White Collar? Facebook | Linked In.

“Blue-collar, part-time workers might like the appeal of MySpace more — it definitely depends on who you meet and what they use; that’s what motivates people to join and stay interested.”

Is there a class divide online? Research suggests yes. A recent study by market research firm Nielsen Claritas found that people in more affluent demographics are 25 percent more likely to be found friending on Facebook, while the less affluent are 37 percent more likely to connect on MySpace.

More specifically, almost 23 percent of Facebook users earn more than $100,000 a year, compared to slightly more than 16 percent of MySpace users. On the other end of the spectrum, 37 percent of MySpace members earn less than $50,000 annually, compared with about 28 percent of Facebook users.

Even on social networks, we can’t escape class distinctions. Marketers interested in connecting with Middle America should be taking a more active role on MySpace instead of reaching out to the ‘vastness’ of FB.

2 responses to “Blue Collar? MySpace. White Collar? Facebook | Linked In.”

  1. Scott Lange Avatar
    Scott Lange

    I’ve always felt like there was a divide there and I wonder how much is due to facebook.com’s origins as an academic community? Are the users, even today, more likely to be college educated/higher earners?

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  2. Lori Laurent Smith Avatar
    Lori Laurent Smith

    I’ve thought about the FB=Harvard beginnings too, but then realized sites like eBay started with a core group (of collector enthusiasts) and quickly outgrew them as more price-sensitive consumers recognized the intrinsic value of their platform.

    Wonder if it is as deceptively simple as the design of the respective sites? Is Facebook is the country-club, gated community suburb by virtue of its structured “you-must-play-by-our-KISS-rules approach versus the ghetto vibe of MySpace, where visitors can do pretty much anything they want?

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Scarlett of Suburbia shares personal opinions and general life perspective for entertainment and informational purposes only. It is not professional, medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice, and no columnist-reader relationship is created by reading this site or sending a message. For serious concerns, please consult a qualified professional. Submissions may be published, edited for length or clarity, and shared anonymously.