Social networking sites will become more user-relevant

Social networking websites will become increasingly tailored to users´ interests in order to maintain their enormous popularity.

That is according to Tim Gibbons, co-founder and editor of Social Media Portal, who asserted that, despite recent figures indicating a decline in Facebook´s UK audience, users would continue to be "hooked" on such sites.

He predicted that social networking websites would become more niche in order to attract users.

Mr Gibbons said: "The models for social networks are changing. Sites such as MySpace and Bebo are entertainment led so you´re going to see more niches.

"It could be that people are signing up to social networks that have a niche that´s more tailored towards them. Whether it´s pets, lifestyle or entertainment, they will go there rather than something that´s friend-based and where you´re going to find it more difficult to find something that interests you."

The role of social networks in 2008 will be bigger than ever, according to a Hitwise/Experian Integrated Marketing report.

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