London - Revenue from social networking sites is expected to reach $965 million this year, when worldwide members will total 230 million, with revenue growing to $2.4 billion in 2012, when membership will plateau, according to a new report from market research firm Datamonitor.


By the end of 2007, Asia Pacific will count 35% of all social network users, followed by Europe, the Middle East and Africa (28%); North America (25%); and Latin America and the Caribbean (12%).

"The extraordinary proliferation of online social networks is fueled by real innovation and is substantially changing the way we communicate," said Datamonitor analyst Ri Pierce-Grove.

"However, the hothouse atmosphere of easy capital, media attention and user curiosity which stimulates creativity will not be sustained indefinitely."

The firm said infrastructure providers, social network providers and wireless companies stand to profit largely in the near term.

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