According to eMarketer, there will be 1.43 billion social network users in 2012, a 19.2% increase over 2011. “The strength of social networking as a worldwide online activity cannot be understated,” said Debra Aho Willamson, eMarketer principal analyst and author of the new report, “Worldwide Social Network Usage: Market Size and Growth Forecast.”

According to new findings from The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life Project, 85% of social networking adults say that their experience on social networking sites are mostly positive. Furthermore, 68% of social adults reported having an experience that made them feel good about themselves, while 61% had experiences that made them feel closer to another person.

A new study by Forrester Research has revealed global social networking trends. According to the study, India and China are two of the most 'social' countries. The study also reveals that Italians are twice as likely to visit a social networking site as Germans, while the Japanese prefer to use a networking site called 'Mixi'.

Dubai's share in mentions in online forums and social networks has grown dramatically over the past few months. In May, the mentions outnumbered Hong Kong, according to the results of a survey released today by Mediastow, the award winning media intelligence agency in the Middle East.

Social networking sites are proving highly popular among Middle East hoteliers looking to get on board with region’s the online marketing craze. Websites such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Youtube are gaining increasingly more attention from both value and luxury hotels, often playing a pivotal role in their wider marketing campaigns.

Until recently, experts theorized about the promises of social networking technologies, including their ability to influence a participatory governance model, grassroots civic engagement, new social dynamics, inclusive societies and new opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs. A few months into 2011, there is more evidence suggesting that some of these promises can prove realistic.

Inside Social Games reports that Google has recently acquired SocialDeck mobile game developer, whose expertise covers mobile and cross-platform development. Google’s gaming interest focuses mainly on Android, but is reportedly working on a social platform to rival Facebook. This is a significant step for Google to jump over the social networking trend seeing that search engines are being replaced and have become less frequently used. 

Khaleej Times Online reports that according to a recent study conducted by YouGovSiraj and commissioned by anaZahra.com, online has definitely become a women’s space in the Middle East. Figures reveal that 71 per cent of Arab women belong to a social networking site, 66 per cent connect with friends online on daily basis, 83 per cent access the internet from home and 34 per cent spend at least 10 hours a week online.