Facebook vs Twitter (2024)

Facebook vs Twitter (1)

Facebook vs Twitter connections

History

Facebook was launched by Mark Zuckerberg, along with his college roommates, in February 2005. It was initially only intended for Harvard students, but eventually expanded to include students at other Boston colleges, Ivy League universities, and Stanford. The site gradually added support for other universities, before also becoming available to high school students. In September 2006, it became available to any users over 13. On May 17th 2012, the company went public. It was valued at $104 billion. Facebook’s user base is still growing rapidly. A chart showing its growth can be found here: http://www.benphoster.com/facebook-user-growth-chart-2004-2010/

Twitter was founded on March 21st 2006 by Jack Dorsey and was launched on July 5th 2006. Twitter tends to be fairly secretive about its number of users, but it had explosive growth between 2009 and 2011, with 2 million tweets a day in January 2009, 32 million tweets a day in January 2010, 90 million tweets a day in September 2010 and 200 million tweets a day in July 2011.

Uses

Facebook is used by members for a variety of purposes. It is mainly used by individuals who wish to stay connected with, or reconnect with, people that they know offline. As well as maintaining a personal profile and posting messages on their “wall,” users can upload photo albums and videos, share links, write long notes, send private messages to friends, text and video chat, and play games.

Twitter allows users to post 140 character messages, or tweets, and follow the messages of other users on their Twitter feed. It is mainly used to communicate with other individuals with similar interests, regardless of whether users know one another off Twitter, and to follow updates from celebrities. Users can upload photos, share links and send private messages to people they follow.

The video below compares the pros and cons of Twitter, Facebook, and Google+.

Privacy

Facebook allows users to select from various privacy settings, from a completely visible profile to one that is not even searchable except by acknowledged friends. Users can change the privacy setting on each individual post, from public, friends only, private, or “custom.”

Twitter has two privacy settings: public and private. Private messages can only be read by people that are followed by the user. Individual messages cannot have different privacy settings.

Facebook vs Twitter (3)

Terms of Service for Twitter and Facebook, as rated by ToS;DR.

Advertising

Facebook features ads. These adverts are often catered to the user, based on the preferences expressed in their profile. Facebook sells user info that has been uploaded to the profile to other corporations.

Twitter does not feature ads. Twitter may sell user information to other corporations.

Integration

Twitter and Facebook can be integrated. Tweets can be posted to Facebook automatically using the Twitter app.

Many other websites can be integrated with Facebook, including GoodReads and Wordpress. Facebook can also be integrated into other websites, and Facebook login details can be used to access some other sites.

Twitter widgets can be added to a website or blog and can be integrated with Instagram. Some websites allow users to sign in using Twitter.

Financial History

Facebook received a $500,000 angel investment from Peter Thiel in 2004. In April 2005, Accel Partners made a $12.7 million venture capital investment, after which Facebook was valued at $98 million. Facebook also received $27.5 million in funding from various investors in 2006, leading to a value of around $500 million. In 2007, Microsoft purchased a 1.6% share for $240 million, leading to a total implied value of $15 billion. Facebook is currently valued at $104 billion.

Twitter was originally developed by the podcasting company Odeo. It has raised over $155 million in venture capital since 2006. Its third round of funding, in February 2009, raised $35 million, while in October 2009 the private-equity firm Insight Venture Partners invested $100 million in the site. In 2011, Twitter was valued at around $10 billion.

Controversies

Facebook has been involved in several controversies, particularly involving privacy concerns. Facebook prevented users from permanently deleting their accounts until 2010 and has been criticized for changing user’s privacy settings, making more information publicly visible or available to data mining, without their explicit consent. The site has been repeatedly criticized for removing photos uploaded by breastfeeding mothers and deleting their accounts. After Donal Trump won the 2016 U.S. presidential election, some people blamed Facebook and Cambridge Analytica for contributing unfairly to his victory via data leaks.

In July 2012, a British teenager was arrested after sending abusive tweets to Olympic diver Tom Daley, and earlier in 2012, a student was jailed for inciting racial hatred after tweeting abuse at Fabrice Muamba. In 2022, billionaire Elon Musk amassed a sizable stake in then publicly listed Twitter. He offered to buy the company but then tried to back out citing concerns over fraudulent users. He was forced to go through with his acquisition offer when a Delaware court struck down several of Musk's arguments. Soon after Musk took over Twitter, he fired a large portion of the staff. Several other prominent executives quit in the following months.

References

Facebook vs Twitter (2024)

FAQs

Facebook vs Twitter? ›

While Facebook is a multi-purpose social networking platform, allowing users to chat, post photos and notes, and play games, Twitter is built around the posting of short 140 character messages, or “tweets.” They are the two most popular social networks in the world.

Which is better, Twitter or Facebook? ›

The choice depends solely on the user and their usage. For the latest news, updates, and burning topics of the world, Twitter is the best platform. But if you want to connect with friends and family, and share your personal life with your loved ones, Facebook is your correct choice.

Why do people use Facebook and Twitter? ›

Connecting with others: Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram enable users to connect with friends, family, and acquaintances from across the world. Sharing updates: Individuals use social media to share life updates such as big life events, trips, accomplishments, and milestones.

Why do celebrities use Twitter instead of Facebook? ›

Why are all of the celebrities on Twitter, but only some are on Facebook? Because Twitter is a broadcasting platform. Its easy for them to tweet short message to their fans where they don't need to engage at the same time. They can also use Facebook for the same purpose (some may be doing this also).

Who mostly uses Twitter? ›

63% of Twitter users worldwide are under 35 years old. Most users are millennials or Gen Z, proving that Twitter is a favorite platform for younger tech-savvy people. 80% of Twitter users are affluent millennials.

Who is richer, Twitter or Facebook? ›

Facebook has about 20x the valuation of Twitter. This is due to the fact that not only does Facebook have far more users, but generates more revenue per user than Twitter.

What is Facebook's rival to Twitter? ›

The new social media app set to rival Twitter. Facebook owner Meta has launched a new app called Threads, which appears to be a direct rival to Twitter.

What is the key weakness of Twitter? ›

Let's continue the same example of Twitter to discuss its weaknesses: Fake accounts: Twitter reports millions of fake or spam accounts on its platform. These fake accounts may be used to spread propaganda and fake information.

What is the point of having a Twitter account? ›

Twitter is a great place to get news and information in real time. To stay up to date on the most recent developments in your industry, you can follow your favorite sources, experts, and influencers. Contribute Your Thoughts: Twitter is a great way to share your ideas, thoughts, and opinions with the world.

Is there any benefit to Twitter? ›

Twitter is a great place to get news and information in real time. To stay up to date on the most recent developments in your industry, you can follow your favorite sources, experts, and influencers. Contribute Your Thoughts: Twitter is a great way to share your ideas, thoughts, and opinions with the world.

Is Twitter less toxic than Facebook? ›

You're not alone, and according to a new study from SimpleTexting, the micro-blogging platform tops the list of "most toxic apps." Some 38.1 percent of respondents said that Twitter had the most trolls, compared with 26.9 percent who said trolling was a problem on Facebook, and 14.8 percent on Reddit.

Is there a better social media than Facebook? ›

Alternative Social Media Platforms include the likes of Mastodon, Lemon8, Locket and more. They offer features like decentralised networks and free speech spaces. Alternative Social Media Platforms refer to the services that act as alternatives to mainstream Social Media Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

What is Twitter best for? ›

Twitter is a social media site, and its primary purpose is to connect people and allow people to share their thoughts with a big audience.

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