Brazilian Internet Phenomenon
Encyclopedia
The Brazilian Internet Phenomenon is a term used to describe the massive adoption by Brazilians of an Internet
service exceeding the number of members of the original nationality of the service. A possible reason for this is shown on a recently an IBOPE/NetRatings study that revealed that they overtook the U.S. in terms of time surfing on the internet and, as of 2004, were the people who spent the most time on the internet.
This phenomenon was clearly observed in 2003 on Fotolog.net
(now Fotolog.com), when the numbers of Brazilians exceeded the number of users of all the other countries combined. The potential of the market
of digital camera
s was noticed as a result of this Fotolog.net mania. Recently, such phenomenon happened with extreme rapidity in Google
's social networking site Orkut
. However, since it is common to find a person with multiple social network profiles, blogs and flogs or even fake registrations in these, statistics about which country has the most users may not always be reliable. On the other hand, a rumor (denied by Google) spread in Brazil claimed that Orkut users declaring themselves as being from this country could receive inferior services, leading many to register themselves as inhabitants of other countries. Thus, the percentage of Brazilians on these websites might be even higher.
Brazil is also home to the highest number of MSN Messenger users, an instant messaging
program that is very popular among teenagers. They have always adopted in great numbers such services as ICQ
, IRC
(BRASnet being one of the biggest IRC networks in the world), Gmail
, Skype
, Blogspot (recently Blogger released a service located in Brazil), and some defunct services like The Palace
, Gooey
and PowWow (chat program)
.
This probably explains why MSN Brasil
and Yahoo! Brasil
are relatively unpopular, and may have contributed to AOL
's failure in the Brazilian market, while UOL ranks highly in Alexa (traffic rankings website).
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
service exceeding the number of members of the original nationality of the service. A possible reason for this is shown on a recently an IBOPE/NetRatings study that revealed that they overtook the U.S. in terms of time surfing on the internet and, as of 2004, were the people who spent the most time on the internet.
This phenomenon was clearly observed in 2003 on Fotolog.net
Fotolog
Fotolog.com is a Web 2.0-based shared photoblog web site. With over 30 million registered users, it is one of the oldest and largest sites for sharing pictures through online photo diaries or photo blogs.-History:...
(now Fotolog.com), when the numbers of Brazilians exceeded the number of users of all the other countries combined. The potential of the market
Market
A market is one of many varieties of systems, institutions, procedures, social relations and infrastructures whereby parties engage in exchange. While parties may exchange goods and services by barter, most markets rely on sellers offering their goods or services in exchange for money from buyers...
of digital camera
Digital camera
A digital camera is a camera that takes video or still photographs, or both, digitally by recording images via an electronic image sensor. It is the main device used in the field of digital photography...
s was noticed as a result of this Fotolog.net mania. Recently, such phenomenon happened with extreme rapidity in Google
Google
Google Inc. is an American multinational public corporation invested in Internet search, cloud computing, and advertising technologies. Google hosts and develops a number of Internet-based services and products, and generates profit primarily from advertising through its AdWords program...
's social networking site Orkut
Orkut
Orkut is a social networking website that is owned and operated by Google Inc. The service is designed to help users meet new and old friends and maintain existing relationships...
. However, since it is common to find a person with multiple social network profiles, blogs and flogs or even fake registrations in these, statistics about which country has the most users may not always be reliable. On the other hand, a rumor (denied by Google) spread in Brazil claimed that Orkut users declaring themselves as being from this country could receive inferior services, leading many to register themselves as inhabitants of other countries. Thus, the percentage of Brazilians on these websites might be even higher.
Brazil is also home to the highest number of MSN Messenger users, an instant messaging
Instant messaging
Instant Messaging is a form of real-time direct text-based chatting communication in push mode between two or more people using personal computers or other devices, along with shared clients. The user's text is conveyed over a network, such as the Internet...
program that is very popular among teenagers. They have always adopted in great numbers such services as ICQ
ICQ
ICQ is an instant messaging computer program, which was first developed and popularized by the Israeli company Mirabilis, then bought by America Online, and since April 2010 owned by Mail.ru Group. The name ICQ is a homophone for the phrase "I seek you"...
, IRC
Internet Relay Chat
Internet Relay Chat is a protocol for real-time Internet text messaging or synchronous conferencing. It is mainly designed for group communication in discussion forums, called channels, but also allows one-to-one communication via private message as well as chat and data transfer, including file...
(BRASnet being one of the biggest IRC networks in the world), Gmail
Gmail
Gmail is a free, advertising-supported email service provided by Google. Users may access Gmail as secure webmail, as well via POP3 or IMAP protocols. Gmail was launched as an invitation-only beta release on April 1, 2004 and it became available to the general public on February 7, 2007, though...
, Skype
Skype
Skype is a software application that allows users to make voice and video calls and chat over the Internet. Calls to other users within the Skype service are free, while calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee using a debit-based user account system...
, Blogspot (recently Blogger released a service located in Brazil), and some defunct services like The Palace
The Palace (computer program)
The Palace is a software program used to access graphical chat room servers, called palaces, in which users may interact with one another using graphical avatars overlaid on a graphical backdrop...
, Gooey
Gooey
Gooey was an Internet chat application popular in 1999. The system allowed people who were simultaneously browsing the same web site to communicate with each other, in effect creating chat rooms external to the web site....
and PowWow (chat program)
PowWow (chat program)
PowWow was one of the first Internet instant message and chat programs for Windows. It was made by a company called Tribal Voice. It is a quintessential internet startup meltdown story.-Features:...
.
This probably explains why MSN Brasil
MSN
MSN is a collection of Internet sites and services provided by Microsoft. The Microsoft Network debuted as an online service and Internet service provider on August 24, 1995, to coincide with the release of the Windows 95 operating system.The range of services offered by MSN has changed since its...
and Yahoo! Brasil
Yahoo!
Yahoo! Inc. is an American multinational internet corporation headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, United States. The company is perhaps best known for its web portal, search engine , Yahoo! Directory, Yahoo! Mail, Yahoo! News, Yahoo! Groups, Yahoo! Answers, advertising, online mapping ,...
are relatively unpopular, and may have contributed to AOL
AOL
AOL Inc. is an American global Internet services and media company. AOL is headquartered at 770 Broadway in New York. Founded in 1983 as Control Video Corporation, it has franchised its services to companies in several nations around the world or set up international versions of its services...
's failure in the Brazilian market, while UOL ranks highly in Alexa (traffic rankings website).
External links
- A Web Site Born in U.S. Finds Fans in Brazil—New York Times article
- Alexa's Traffic Ranking—ranks the websites Brazilians visit the most