The number of Twitter users reached an estimated 75 million by the end of 2009, up from approximately 5 million in the previous year, but the growth rate of new user accounts is slowing and only 20% of Twitter users are active, according to a study from RJMetrics.

During the last six months of 2009, Twitter registered a steady decline in new user accounts: The growth of new users peaked last July at an estimated 7.8 million new users a month, but dropped to 6.2 million by December, down 20% from its high.

Twitter Account Activity

At the end of 2009, a large portion of Twitter accounts were inactive:

  • 25% of registered accounts had no followers.
  • 40% of accounts had never sent a tweet.
  • 80% of Twitter users had tweeted fewer than 10 times, up from 75% in August.

In addition, only 17% of Twitter users sent a tweet in December, an all-time low.

Average Number of Followers Down

Twitter users had an average of 27 followers at the end of the year, down from 42 followers in August.

Enter your email address to continue reading

Twitter Growth Slows, User Base Younger

Don't worry...it's free!

Already a member? Sign in now.

Sign in with your preferred account, below.

Did you like this article?
Know someone who would enjoy it too? Share with your friends, free of charge, no sign up required! Simply share this link, and they will get instant access…
  • Copy Link

  • Email

  • Twitter

  • Facebook

  • Pinterest

  • Linkedin