WhatsIn AName: Social Network Naming Conventions David Berkowitz Blog: MarketersStudio.com Twitter: @dberkowitz April 2009 facebook

The Questions Answered Are there naming conventions for top social networks? How do those top networks share by share of traffic? Source: David Berkowitz, MarketersStudio.com

Are there naming conventions for top social networks?

How do those top networks share by share of traffic?

Methodology The social network names and traffic are based on Compete Inc’s Top 25 Social Networks, January 2009, available at blog.compete.com This report and the author have no affiliation with Compete Source: David Berkowitz, MarketersStudio.com

The social network names and traffic are based on Compete Inc’s Top 25 Social Networks, January 2009, available at blog.compete.com

This report and the author have no affiliation with Compete

The Four Naming Conventions of Social Networks Compound Words : Two real words joined together to create a new word ex. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn Real Words : Dictionary-certified words (source for report: Dictionary.com) ex. Twitter, Tagged, Classmates Made-up Words : Not found in the dictionary ex: Imeem, Ning, Bebo Based on Real Words : Sound-alikes or ficticious components added to it ex. Flixster, Hi5, Yahoo 360 (based on 360-degrees), Source: David Berkowitz, MarketersStudio.com

Compound Words : Two real words joined together to create a new word

ex. Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn

Real Words : Dictionary-certified words (source for report: Dictionary.com)

ex. Twitter, Tagged, Classmates

Made-up Words : Not found in the dictionary

ex: Imeem, Ning, Bebo

Based on Real Words : Sound-alikes or ficticious components added to it

ex. Flixster, Hi5, Yahoo 360 (based on 360-degrees),

Types of Names of Social Networks Source: David Berkowitz, MarketersStudio.com

Social Networks Naming Convention by Share of Unique Visitors Source: David Berkowitz, MarketersStudio.com

Social Networks Naming Convention by Share of Traffic Source: David Berkowitz, MarketersStudio.com

Share of Naming in Review * Note: Values may not equal 100% due to rounding Source: David Berkowitz, MarketersStudio.com Network Type Share of Names Share of Uniques Share of Traffic Compound 36% 66% 88% Real Word 28% 19% 10% Made up Word 24% 10% 3% Based on Real Word 12% 3% 3%

Parting Thoughts Are there any compound word domains you can buy? Correlation does not imply causation; the name doesn’t cause the differences in traffic. Source: David Berkowitz, MarketersStudio.com

Are there any compound word domains you can buy?

Correlation does not imply causation; the name doesn’t cause the differences in traffic.

Contact David Berkowitz Blog: MarketersStudio.com Twitter: @ dberkowitz LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dberkowitz Email: [email_address]

Blog: MarketersStudio.com

Twitter: @ dberkowitz

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/dberkowitz

Email: [email_address]