Facebook Apps Easier Than Using Mobile Browser

Boston, MA - June 3, 2010 – Mobile Facebook and Twitter users do not find it as easy to undertake tasks using their phone compared to a computer, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics, which found that mobile social networking sessions are considerably shorter than sessions on a computer. The Wireless Media Lab report, “Facebook and Twitter Mobile Experience Sub-Optimal,” analyzes usage of two of the most popular social networking sites, which is one of the fastest growing mobile services.

“Two-thirds of respondents in the US, and almost half of respondents in the UK, say that their mobile phone is either the main way they access Facebook or that they access Facebook as much on their phone as they do on a computer,” according to Paul Brown, Director of User Experience Research at Strategy Analytics. “However, respondents who use a dedicated application to access Facebook find it considerably easier to undertake the majority of tasks compared to those who use their mobile browser.”

Chris Schreiner, Senior Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, “Given that the average mobile phone Facebook session is shorter than the average computer Facebook session, it suggests that respondents are accessing Facebook with very specific straightforward goals in mind - checking updates, responding to messages and posting comments. Respondents save casual browsing of profiles and more complex tasks—such as uploading picture albums and playing games—for times when they are sitting at the computer.”