Skip to main content

Polls show e-mail popularity waning, Facebook Messages ready to fill in

FB messagesFacebook is still in the process of rolling out its Messages application, but a few recent studies and surveys already bode well for the social network’s new feature. A recent comScore study revealed that Web-based e-mail is losing popularity, declining 8-percent in the past year. Naturally, 12-to-17 year olds were most likely to ditch the archaic communication tool last year, closely followed by 18-to-24 years olds. 25-to-34 year olds also joined in the mutiny, which seems more significant given that many in this bracket have entered the job market and graduated from college.

Facebook profusely claimed its Messages system would not be an “e-mail killer” – it’s looking like it could simply be a replacement. As more and more consumers of various age groups forsake e-mail in favor of other communication devices (instant messages, social media outlets, and texting), there could be an opportunity for a new Web-based “e-mail” platform to succeed. And it’s poised to be Facebook.

According to a recent poll, 22 percent of UK participants will switch to Facebook’s upcoming Messages service. The social network explained it plans to incorporate various communication systems into the messaging client, creating a virtual collection of users’ digital conversations. So what do you get when electronic communication becomes increasingly popular, Facebook (whose user registration reaches staggering numbers) integrates these methods, all while e-mail usage plummets? A sure thing.

Also helpful is the 70 percent of Facebook’s 500 million users currently sending messages on the site. But Facebook was probably right when it said it wasn’t going to be stealing Gmail’s business, it’s just stepping in to claim its wayward users. We’re still waiting for the Messages application to fully hit, but the numbers show the gap is there for it to fill.

Molly McHugh
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Before coming to Digital Trends, Molly worked as a freelance writer, occasional photographer, and general technical lackey…
Best color laser printers for 2024: tested and reviewed
A Brother printer on a counter in front of a brick wall.

The best color laser printers can be a great investment, saving you quite a bit of time and money. For shoppers worried about the long-term ink costs, you'll find color laser printers surprisingly affordable. Laser printers use toner, which lasts a very long time, delivering a low cost per page for monochrome documents and fast color prints. The best color laser printers offer quick performance and reliability to help keep your home office or small business productive.

If you need to scan documents for record-keeping and photo capture or want the convenience of a color copier, an all-in-one color laser printer is an essential tool for your small business or personal use. For a small added cost, you get expanded capabilities. That's why every model on this list is an all-in-one from the best printer brands.

Read more
The 5 best Wi-Fi adapters for PC in 2024
The Ugreen AC1300 Wi-Fi adapter in a desktop PC.

Whether you're designing it yourself or getting a pre-built PC, it can be easy to get a computer and realize that it doesn't have a native Wi-Fi adapter. Or, maybe it does, but you're internet speeds are getting faster, game downloads are getting bigger, you've already upgraded your router and need an adapter to match your newfound power requirements. No matter the situation, an external Wi-Fi adapter that you can add to your PC setup or even laptop setup will be worth your time. Here, we investigate the best Wi-Fi adapters for PC use. Most are incredibly affordable and just snap into a free USB port and start working.
The best Wi-Fi adapter for PC in 2024

Buy the

Read more
How to pin a website to the taskbar in Windows
A man sits, using a laptop running the Windows 11 operating system.

Windows includes many interesting tools, but if you’re like many people, more and more of your digital life is happening in your web browser and nowhere else. That being the case, you’ll want to keep your most important websites close at hand. The easiest way to access them in Windows is the Start menu and the taskbar, treating them more or less like programs in and of themselves.

Although easy overall, getting a website from your browser to your taskbar is slightly different depending on which browser you’re using.

Read more