New developments in the tech world sometimes make mainstream news headlines, but they almost always generate major attention on Twitter. Last week was no exception as Twitter was dominated by developments and new products for leading social networking sites-and the announcement of a Google social network.
For the week of September 13-17, the top three stories on Twitter were about innovations by major players in the online world: Twitter, Google, and Facebook. Combined, they made up more than a third (36%) of the top news links, according to the New Media Index from the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism.
While a range of technology topics often lead Twitter's news agenda, last week's top stories were all focused on one very specific area: social media. Facebook, the preeminent social media tool, is still growing, especially internationally. Twitter, also a social networking tool, released a new layout last week. Google, an internet powerhouse, has struggled to create a successful social networking tool and the announcement of a planned social network from them could have a significant impact in this field.
And, as was the case last week, social media users often seem to function as announcers and reviewers of new online products.
A first look at the redesigned Twitter website from Wired's blog Epicenter was the top subject, with 15% of linked tweets. A number of Twitter users complained, however, that they did not yet have access to the new site.
Read the full report, Advanced in Social Networking Keep Twitter Atwitter on the Pew Research Center's Project for Excellence in Journalism Web site.