FACEBOOk VS YOUTUBE

 With over one billion viewers, Facebook is the most popular social networking site on the internet. Millions of users actively use Facebook and add their friends. One of the main differences between YouTube and Facebook is that Facebook allows its members to upload and share videos to YouTube restrict this functionality. When comparing the two, it is evident that Facebook has attracted a younger generation and YouTube attracts older users. So how have these differences affected businesses and which is the better choice for marketing?

YouTube An easy comparison would be between YouTube and Facebook. The former has a younger audience and therefore, has attracted more users whereas with Facebook, the majority of its users are older. However, YouTube's reach extends further than Facebook and is available globally whereas with Facebook, all you have is the US. Because of this global reach, YouTube's video influencers are able to reach a larger audience than those with Facebook.

Facebook has several similarities with YouTube, such as the ability to upload and share videos, however, the major difference lies in the way Facebook monetizes the site. Unlike YouTube, Facebook allows creators to earn revenue from their videos. Unlike YouTube, creators can also apply multimedia features, such as effects and animated images to videos and create sponsored videos. These features provide a way for Facebook users to interact with the creators in a more personalized way, engaging with them in a more intimate way that cannot be achieved through the use of more generic interfaces on other platforms.

Although Facebook has similar demographics features, it also offers a platform where the creator can engage in revenue-generating activities. To put a simply, Facebook allows the creator of a video to attract more viewers or "fans" by attracting more people to view the creator's videos. The platform permits the creator to put up advertisements that run across the top of the user's screen when they watch one of the creator's videos, or at least at the same place in which they have watched the video. This is known as the "sponsored experience" feature, where ads are placed on the user's screen when they are engaged in a video.

While YouTube allows viewers to rate videos they like or dislike, Facebook allows the creator to create an application that will generate revenue for the creator based on the number of views it receives. The "like" feature is where the real power of the Facebook platform truly comes into play. Simply, it allows the creator of a video to connect with its audience in a more personal and meaningful way. In addition to connecting with the audience, the application connects the audience to the creator through their "friends" or networks.

Farnsworth describes these networks as "fans." Facebook's current video platform farnsworth uses the Wuzzytube, which is a framework based on Digg, Twitter, and Reddit. While farnsworth compares these networks to other social networking platforms, he states, "It's much simpler to work with the Facebook platform than any of the other ones." He goes on to add that while Facebook may not be able to replace MySpace or other social networking websites completely, it can offer a solid start for creators who want to get a steady stream of traffic and fans to their site.

Farnsworth goes on to note that he believes the future of Facebook is in its ability to provide entertainment. The social network has made it very easy for people to create and share unique video content, and he states "I think there will be a day when all videos on Facebook are just a blip on the screen, and you have to go to a specific page to see the latest video on Facebook." According to Farnsworth this would be true of every day news stories. He continues, "What if the next news story was about the new iPhone, and you had to go to Apple's site to find out more about it? I think we'll have fewer reasons to go to Facebook to check out the latest videos as well."

In the future the social network could easily replace a large number of publishers across all platforms including Google AdSense, Yahoo Publisher Network, AOL Search, Microsoft Publisher Network, and others. With over half a billion people using Facebook, the social network is quickly becoming the publishers first choice. If you haven't created a Facebook account you should consider it right away. It's free, it's easy, and it can dramatically increase your visibility in your target market!