Question of the week: Twitter or Facebook?

photo credit:

Question of the week: Twitter or Facebook?

2nd Nov 2009

As social networking becomes more and more influential what is the difference between the different networking sites and which ones are more effective? According to psychologist Dr Tracy Alloway of Scotland’s University of Stirling, Facebook actually stimulates people intellectually yet Twitter is too succinct, meaning that you don't really process the information and your attention span is diminished. However, there has also been suggestions that Twitter works much better as a marketing tool, delivering information that the consumer can take in and process at will, rather than the business offering 'friendship' under the Facebook banner. Whatever your opinion it seems to be an ever-growing trend that is difficult to ignore. Join in the debate below.

Published by
Laura Hicks, Copywriter
laura.hicks@creationagency.com,
show all articles from Laura Hicks

Comments

Good points! I would say that I agree with that as I use twitter to follow brands I like and get updates on what new things they are doing. I use facebook more to interact with my friends.

By Tracy Robinson on 02/11/2009
I love Twitter, this weekend was particularly funny with someone calling Stephen Fry 'Boring' and then getting death threats. Then SF apologised and the whole thing ended up on the news. I don't think Facebook has the influence that Twitter has, the Jan Moir thing was another good example of how powerful it can be. It's great for bringing things out in-the-moment and tapping into what everyone is thinking. Amazing, because on paper, it's just the status updates from Facebook, you'd never think it could have become such a powerful force.

By BB on 02/11/2009
I prefer Facebook. Personally, I have no desire to follow Lily Allen's every move or read Russell Brand's eccentric posts. I'd prefer to keep in contact with my real friends through facebook thank you!!

By David Hodgson on 02/11/2009
As a business tool Twitter much more usable, and its especially good for collecting news articles, and I can also tell you that Andi Peters likes Pinapple for breakfast. Its also much better platform to do a mass communication as people can search on key topics and find you. Facebook (for me) is more about social connections, and I feel works better in small groups due to the depth of personal information. Lloyd Daniels has over 100k follows on facebook, but it didnt save him going intothe bottom two on Sunday. So, is less more? Is the next big thing going to be a 'shout' micro-blogging site where can you can say only three words? I dont know, but what I can say is that on the office network we block facebook.com apart from at lunch, but people can tweet all day long, so I think the business has spoken.

By Jason Burrows on 02/11/2009
I prefer Facebook. Personally, I have no desire to follow Lily Allen's every move or read Russell Brand's eccentric posts. I'd prefer to keep in contact with my real friends through facebook thank you!!

By David Hodgson on 02/11/2009
Hodge. you've totally missed the point BOOOOOOOOO! You're so out of the loop it hurts me, Twitter is direct access into everyone's brain on the planet at this exact nano second. Facebook is for the housebound.

By Ben Brown on 02/11/2009
Darren Bent loves Twitter: http://www.thespoiler.co.uk/index.php/2009/11/02/darren-bents-twitter-obsession-reaches-a-new-low

By Ben Brown on 02/11/2009
I'm into both but I can only asses their relative merit through my own usage. I access FB every three days. I access Twitter every hour . Twitter is here and now for the connected masses. FB is Flickr+. If I want to see someone's pics or remember their birthday, it's fine. If I want to know what's going on in the world, and I mean what's really going on, it's Twitter - the CNN of the people.

By Peter Smith on 02/11/2009
You guys are all so last year, the new word on social networking is Foursquare and Gowalla. Say goodbye to your privacy and hello stalking...check them out http://gowalla.com/ http://foursquare.com/

By Laura Hicks on 02/11/2009
To clarify, I think that if you use Twitter to follow your favourite brands etc then fair enough but if you feel like you just have to check what Stephen Fry is doing whilst you are out with the family then it strikes me as a bit sad!

By David Hodgson on 02/11/2009
Twitter...... "it's a look at me technology that seems to be more about vanity and competition than about information" Facebook..... "there's a good reason you didn't stay in contact with all those people who are now your 'friends' but who you will never see again.....but who you think want to see pictures of you at a party they weren't invited too...." "if you want to send someone a gift.......then send them one! Royal Mail might not be great but E Buyer do next day delivery and you can order upto 11pm so go online at www.ebuyer.com and make today an E Buyer gift day"

By Dylan Slaney on 02/11/2009
Hodge, you're a Luddite. To think you'll be running the country in 10 years saddens me.

By Ben Brown on 03/11/2009
There’s such a wide choice when it comes to communicating online that these communication platforms need to evolve to gain our loyalty or else they face the abyss of cyber space. If you want to stay connected with friends Facebook is for you. Twitter is excellent for anyone with something to promote and worthwhile to say. Status: I’m now making a cup of tea =:0)

By Chris Horley on 03/11/2009
Their are far too many of these in circulation, first we had Friendster, then WAYNE, Bebo, facebook now Twitter as well. I think of these sites are more of a FAD thery will all wear off and disappear, evenetually supersede by the next trend.

By Pat on 06/11/2009
Hi, its a so nice and good site ever. Its a really great and fantastic post here in this site. So, thank you for the sharing of your ideas and thoughts to all of us.

By martin1 on 22/01/2010