Twitter not top for Gen Y

A new study has found that almost one-quarter of 18 to 24-year-old web users use Twitter, despite nearly all users having at least one social networking profile.

The Participatory Marketing Network (PMN) polled 200 Generation Y consumers for the research and found that 99 per cent have a profile on a social networking site, although just 22 per cent use Twitter.

Of those who use the microblogging site, 85 per cent do so to keep up with their friends' updates, while 54 per cent follow celebrities and 29 per cent keep track of family members and companies.

The research also revealed that 89 per cent of Generation Y web users have downloaded an application for use on a social networking profile, with photos being the most popular.

Michael Della Penna, co-founder and executive chairman of the PMN, said: "There is a tremendous opportunity now for marketers to develop strategies to get this important group active on Twitter too."

Twitter saw an 83 per cent increase in the number of US visitors it attracted in April, according to recent statistics from comScore.

About 17 million American web users visited the social media site during the month.

This news story was brought to you by Bluhalo, a leading UK digital agency.