Social Networking Stats: Facebook’s Feature Phone App Tops 100 Million Users, #RLTM Scoreboard

The #RLTM Scoreboard:  Social Networking Stats for the Week

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Facebook Continues Expansion In Developing Countries; App For Feature Phones Tops 100 Million Users

This week, Facebook announced that Facebook For Every Phone – a native app that works on feature phones – has over 100 million users every month.  “Today, millions of people in developing markets like India, Indonesia and the Philippines are relying on this technology to connect with Facebook, without having to purchase a smartphone,” wrote Ran Makavy, Facebook’s Growth Manager.

In developing markets, feature phones are more common than smartphones, and are often the only source of internet access. Though Facebook only just began selling ads on its feature phone platform – and makes very little money doing so – this expansion into developing countries “is an essential part of the company’s global strategy.” (TechCrunch)

Facebook announced that it has partnered with mobile operators “around the world” to offer free or discounted access to Facebook For Every Phone.

“In just two years, Facebook For Every Phone has successfully put Facebook into the hands of millions of people around the world with limited access to the Internet.” And this has allowed Facebook’s growth to continue abroad, while slowing significantly in the US, UK, and other developed markets.