According to Facebook demographics, there are 1,594,040 Lebanese Facebook users. It actually calculates the number of accounts that are being signed up from Lebanon through the IP addresses of the users' machines. The interesting part is that it measures the rate of penetration from Lebanon as 38.64%. Now Facebook demographics mentions that in the US, there are 167,431, 700 American Facebook users which measures the rate of penetration as 53.97%. (rate of penetration is percentage of the population using Facebook)
According to accurate studies, there are around 3,100,000 Lebanese inhabitants. (Many sources mention that there are around 4 million but those sources are not deducting the immigrants registered on the electoral lists). If interested I can refer you to many sources about the actual number of Lebanese residents. The number of users is measured to be 38.64% where mathematically speaking, it has to be around 50%. Facebook demographics uses the fact that the population size is around 4,100,000 getting their info probably from CIA World Fact book and for this reason, they give Lebanon a rank of 72 which is actually not true. According to the mentioned facts, Lebanon will be in the highly active nations in Facebook use.
Why did I mention the US numbers? Because as I am writing this, the population in the US is estimated to be around 311,000,000 which actually gives an accurate measure of rate of penetration and tells us that Lebanon is close to the US (US is ranked number 1).
What is the problem? Why do I care that we are ranked at 72. Is it because I am proud of people posting their pictures, their daily activities? No. Facebook uses these figures to estimate the impact factor of media on a given population. Thus big businesses in Lebanon will pay pennies to get their ads on Facebook at the time that they can reach very high number of users.
Do I want Facebook to make more money from Lebanese businesses?
Well no but I am happy I figured that out.
According to accurate studies, there are around 3,100,000 Lebanese inhabitants. (Many sources mention that there are around 4 million but those sources are not deducting the immigrants registered on the electoral lists). If interested I can refer you to many sources about the actual number of Lebanese residents. The number of users is measured to be 38.64% where mathematically speaking, it has to be around 50%. Facebook demographics uses the fact that the population size is around 4,100,000 getting their info probably from CIA World Fact book and for this reason, they give Lebanon a rank of 72 which is actually not true. According to the mentioned facts, Lebanon will be in the highly active nations in Facebook use.
Why did I mention the US numbers? Because as I am writing this, the population in the US is estimated to be around 311,000,000 which actually gives an accurate measure of rate of penetration and tells us that Lebanon is close to the US (US is ranked number 1).
What is the problem? Why do I care that we are ranked at 72. Is it because I am proud of people posting their pictures, their daily activities? No. Facebook uses these figures to estimate the impact factor of media on a given population. Thus big businesses in Lebanon will pay pennies to get their ads on Facebook at the time that they can reach very high number of users.
Do I want Facebook to make more money from Lebanese businesses?
Well no but I am happy I figured that out.
I Was wondering where you were going with it!!! Very smart deduction and the mistake is a blessing for marketers in Lebanon!!!
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