Random graphs

[charmian]

(note, you might need to be logged into google to see the full graph)

Was bored and looking at Google Trends, randomly.

http://trends.google.com/websites?q=myspace.com&geo=all&date=ytd&sort=0

In the past year, Myspace has lost over 50% of its traffic.

This made me curious to see how LJ was doing.

http://trends.google.com/websites?q=livejournal.com&geo=all&date=ytd&sort=0

Globally, LJ has stayed stable, with around two million daily visitors.

http://trends.google.com/websites?q=livejournal.com&geo=RU&date=ytd&sort=0

In Russia, traffic has risen significantly over the past year, to around over ~1.4 (maybe 1.5) million.

http://trends.google.com/websites?q=livejournal.com&geo=US&date=ytd&sort=0

In about a year, the US daily visitor traffic, however, has gone from ~500K to somewhat under ~400K. This represents around a 20% decline. (Thusly, Russian traffic is about three times the size of US traffic, and the US contributes 20% of LJ's visitors, if Google Trends' stats are correct.)

Comments

[sophie]

The fact that LJ is popular in Russia is by no means new, and the rise of Russian users last year is about the same as the year before that. I don't see any reason why it shouldn't be maintained.

[charmian]

Wasn't implying it was new?

There can always be new sites coming in, and I did read (via google translate) some articles indicating disatissfaction with some technical aspects of LJ in Russia. So I don't think it's a 100% thing that LJ will continue to grow.