This IDC study provides insights to the consumers' usage, motivations, preferences, and opinions of social network sites (SNSs) in Asia/Pacific. Using surveys conducted in seven key markets, the study also examines the dynamics behind users' dropout and retention, as well as monetization possibilities for these platforms. Implications of the results are further discussed, with conclusions to which future developments of the market are proposed.

"SNSs are steadily encroaching upon other online communications platforms, such as email, instant messaging, and photo sharing services. It stands to reason that the more contacts that users have on their SNSs, the more likely they are to use these platforms to interact, at the expense of the other incumbent online communication platforms. While this does not bode well for the other types of online applications, the test for SNS stakeholders is to achieve that goal of turning their platforms into one-stop portals for socializing and communications," says Debbie Swee, market analyst, Emerging Technologies Research, IDC Asia/Pacific.