While Facebook has been a major website almost since it hit the Internet, 2010 saw its rapid rise and spread throughout the world and the Internet as a whole. The Facebook phenomenon is unparalleled in social media worth. These five reasons describe precisely why it is highly unlikely that Facebook shuts down anytime soon.

1) Social Media as Marketing Tool

While Facebook was always a way for people to connect with people, 2010 saw the rise of Facebook used to connect businesses with people. By providing Facebook-only discounts, Facebook credits, community discussion boards, and a central location for all direct engagement with customers, Facebook business pages became a vital component of a business’ marketing strategy almost overnight. Furthermore, Facebook became more business-friendly as a whole, allowing businesses to connect with customers through advertisements based on information on customers’ Facebook profiles. In fact, practically every page of any importance has “Like” buttons next to each piece of content on the site. This “Like” button allows users to tell their friends what sorts of websites they visit in real-time, with a literal click of a button. The Like button changed the nature of Internet marketing, seeing a rise in organic methods of advertising. Word-of-mouth advertising is much easier today, thanks by and large to the social trends provided by Facebook.

2) Improved Apps

Facebook’s Developer Driven development also saw the rise of social apps, a unique Facebook phenomenon. Games which were half achievement-oriented, traditional play and half the social experience provided by Facebook exploded in popularity during 2010 and show no signs of stopping. Apps were created not just for gameplay but for a wide variety of uses, all of which emphasized a social component. While playing with and talking to people over long distances was once the purview of online gamers, by and large young males, Facebook apps have widened the appeal of that activity to nearly every demographic.

3) Accessibility

With the rising popularity of smartphones used to surf the web, it is clear that online access from any location, at any time is going to become as ubiquitous as electricity, roads and other infrastructure elements. Phones like the T-Mobile Galaxy S or AT&T’s iPhone let you download Facebook apps on your phone for instant access, enabling users to log in anytime, anyplace.

 Unlike many social media sites, Facebook emphasizes its messaging platform, showing that it’s on the cutting edge of technology. For instance, Facebook messaging is a form of free email hosting accessible through any channels. With the rising popularity of smartphones used to surf the web, it is clear that online access from any location, at any time is going to become as ubiquitous as electricity, roads and other infrastructure elements. Facebook understands that no matter where we are or what we’re doing, we’re going to want to connect with our friends and family that is why many new phones nowadays come with a built-in Facebook button. Facebook’s messaging system is so easy to use and connect with that it is indeed a Titan.

4) Constant User Interface Updates

While Facebook users often complain whenever the UI changes, by and large all of the Facebook user interface updates have been well-executed, resulting in a more fluid, dynamic experience of connecting with friends over the Internet. Through it all, Facebook has never lost its core principles, among them being unlimited web hosting for all of its users’ social interactions and personal information. Constant evolution always marks a growth-oriented company, and Facebook definitely fits that bill.

5) Rise of the “Social Web”

Facebook by far is the most sociable social network out there since it has been integrating openly with major players in the online community beginning with its competitor Myspace and now with Flickr as well.

All in all, Facebook is here to stay and as forecasts show set to rule the cyber world!