Thanks to the mobile web, flirtatious social network Badoo is about to hit 150m users, making it one of the world’s top five social networks, according to ComScore.
Badoo, which launched in 2006, operates differently to Facebook in that it tries to connect you with new people in your area, as opposed to linking you to your existing network of friends. Having launched in the US in March, the network is now available in 180 countries and 40 languages, and claims to have 35m active monthly users.
According to Mike Butcher, figures released exclusively to TechCrunch and verified by ComScore reveal that the site is clocking up 150,000 users per day – which means today’s the day to mark the 150m milestone as the ticker is quickly climbing up from 149.8m.
Because Badoo’s members are putting themselves out there to look for new friends, the site has more of a flirtatious vibe making it more akin to online dating networks. This appears to be of great appeal to users who don’t just want to keep up with current friends online, but want to make new connections.
Growth attributed to mobile usage
A significant driver behind Badoo’s growth has been the increasing use of the mobile web. In the US, 68pc of new users are registering via mobile devices and mobile usage across the site has gone up 100pc since November last year, TechCrunch reports.
Badoo’s mobile revenues have also doubled since last year, a fact that gives it one up on Facebook, who have not yet figured out how to monetise their mobile traffic.
