Facebook Rules OK!

New research from research specialist Conquest reveals that Facebook is fast becoming the preferred way of keeping in touch amongst 16-24 year olds, ahead of mobile phones and even face-to-face conversations.

Conquest's study 'Project Chatter' found that regular Facebook users (91% of the sample of 350) check their account more than 6 times a day, with 30% staying on the site for over an hour each time.

The research highlights the importance of social media to the lives of young people, and how they learn about and develop an affinity for a brand especially through Facebook.

And Facebook itself is enjoying greater loyalty than other social media, with just 13% of those surveyed expecting to use it less in the next year, compared to 20% for Twitter.

'Project Chatter' also found that over half of the young people interviewed who had used Twitter said they used it less than Facebook. Conquest have gone one further, suggesting that the use of Twitter may have peaked amongst younger people.

With new tools coming in to help develop Facebook pages it is firmly established as an essential medium for engaging with customers.