Facebook Tops 200MM Members Worldwide

Well, news of Facebook’s death is greatly exaggerated. According to the best mathematicians, Facebook busted 200 million members today (according to Facebook’s Rapid Growth Continues with 200 Million Members):

Facebook says it expects to welcome its 200 millionth member today. It was just January when Facebook announced 150 million members. Founder Mark Zuckerberg sees Facebook as more than just social networking, he sees it as a force for social action.

We Americans tend to be a little bit self-centered; however, Facebook is a global phenomenon.  I am connected to people from France, Germany, Colombia, Portugal, Argentina, Turkey, Great Britain, Slovakia, and many other places. That 200MM is global, and growing every day. And the advertising is localized as well, something that Friendster was not able to do when it became “big in the Philippines,” something that has always been a sticky wicket.

To be honest, when I was in Berlin, every Euro and every Brit I met didn’t care about my card or my Twitter handle or anything besides the email that would get them connected to me on Facebook.

So, people wanted cja@well.com not because they ever intended to email me but in order to plug it into Facebook in order to make the connection.

What do I think about Facebook short- and long-term?

Well, I think Facebook will be just fine. Probably even better off than Friendster, if they play their cards right.