Facebook, Email and bigger brands

Facebook reached 1 billion unique users using its service in a day for the first time on 24th August. To put things in perspective, one in seven persons on Earth used Facebook (or only 85.7% of planet earth did not use Facebook). While 14.3% used Facebook on 24th August, it is important to note that over 65% of world's population brush their teeth from Colgate every day.

There are bigger brands used by more unique people every day. Today, daily servings of Coca‑Cola beverages are estimated at 1.9 billion globally. It is interesting to note that there is one thing common among all these brands - They solve a fundamental human need (Oral hygiene, refreshments, Personal computing/productivity, and communication).  

In terms of social networking, Facebook is by far the most used social networking site. Only YouTube comes a close second with a billion unique users using its service every month. But, is Facebook the ultimate communication medium?

The only threat to Facebook comes from Email, which can perhaps facilitate the creation of the next big communication network. Email still rules when in comes to being the ultimate communication medium primarily because of the following three things (missing in Facebook)

• Ubiquitous - Every device, network and system has (and needs) an email address
• Democratic - No central controlling authority (unlike Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter)
• Open - While spam filters keep out the garbage, and do an increasingly good job, it’s still the most reliable way to reach out to someone, especially a new contact.

Facebook has done well to keep the threat of email at bay so far by acquiring WhatsApp (which does not require an email). Also, in the list of top 10 networks, Facebook owns 4 (Including Facebook, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp, and Instagram).