Today, according to the Facebook blog, Facebook’s 200 millionth active user joined the most popular social network in the world.
To celebrate, Facebook shows off a world map of its user density, fun facts about the number 200 million and, in an era of community outreach, highlights a few ways they’re making a difference around the world in a video today. Check out where they’re most popular:
The highlighted apps include an app that helps to find missing children in South Africa, one that keeps users updated on delays in the London Underground and groups that unite users against the Colombian terrorist group FARC (The highlighted group, with over 430,000 members, describes itself as a “military weapon of espionage.” That’s a little freaky.). “Together we can make a difference,” the video concludes.
For a little historical perspective, this announcement comes 51 days after they reached 175 million active users, which was just 39 days after the site reached 150 million active users at the beginning of January.
I’m intrigued by the emphasis FB is placing on the humanitarian uses of the social network. Kinda makes you feel warm and fuzzy when you know that the same thing you use to make fun of your friends’ awful photos can also help find missing children.
What are your favorite apps/groups/campaigns in this area? (Here’s mine; it’s run by my cousin.) Do you think this is a good focus for Facebook, or is this just something they’re doing to look good?
