A report by Inside Facebook came out today saying that whereas Facebook normally gets about 20 million new users a month, the month of May only saw 11.8 million. Further, it said over 6 million people left Facebook, including about 100,000 from the UK. It only goes to ask the question: Is Facebook over? Maybe they are just getting ready for Quit Facebook Day?
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First of all, I have to wonder if this 6 million number are not duplicate or web-bot profiles. With over 700 million on the Social Network, you have to figure there are a few of those out there. The sooner they’re gone, the better.
I know people that leave Facebook like a grocery store. Instead of keeping their profiles up, they don’t want anyone to bother them, therefore they nix the whole account. A month later, they are back on to friend you once again.
There have been several issues of privacy on Facebook. There have also been those blasted games like Mafia Wars and Farmville. Some people just get annoyed with all the wall programs out there.
A really bad break-up? Loose a job? I could see someone deleting one account to create another account. Better than unfriending hundreds of people.
How do I leave Facebook?
- Go to www.facebook.com
- Log in with your username and password.
- Choose Account – Account Settings
- Choose “deactivate my account“
At this point, you will get a full bleeding heart story with pictures why you should stay. Expects you to select your friend to let them know you are leaving so you forget how to leave again. Either that, or you start looking through pictures to the point of emotion, so you stay on Facebook.
You can also let Facebook what to do with the groups and pages you created. Finally, you opt-out of any future email from Facebook.
I don’t know what is after that (I’m not deleting my account – do you think I’m crazy?). I would guess there is a email confirmation, then after 14 days, it gets removed. You are then Facebook free.
Did you leave MySpace, too?
If you did try to leave MySpace, you would find that it’s a more daunting task. I personally have 3 MySpace accounts that have been dormant for 3 years. After all – I’m not leaving Facebook to go back to MySpace.
Facebook used to be that difficult. Remember this article on How sticky is Membership?
As for Facebook, attrition happens. If I have 100 people in line waiting, I would expect 5 to walk out of the line. There are 700 million Facebook accounts. That means less than 1 percent left the social network. When we start seeing 5% leave, then we’ll begin to worry.
On the question of 11.8 million for May, that is pretty easy. It’s either the fact that everyone is on Facebook already, or (a more poignant reason) IT’S SUMMER! People are more apt to go out and ride a bike than social network. Even if they have an iPhone or Android, they still are going to enjoy the outdoors.
Did you leave Facebook? Why? Let me know through Twitter. I am @geekazine (Because I know you cannot tell me on Facebook…)
As a podcaster, videographer and blogger, Jeffrey works to convey the geek message. Inspired and passionate about tech and geek life. As a musician, Jeffrey loves to rock the house.
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I left facebook myself, and honestly, it was a great decision. I can honestly see why many people are leaving, but wonder, like you, are many of those just bots and people with alternate accounts?