The latest social networking traffic and market share list from HitWise maps out the emerging media landscape:

- MySpace has the lion’s share of this market and continues to be a significant referrer to other social networking sites.
- Facebook holds its own in the second spot.
- The rest of the social networking space is pretty fragmented, with iMeem, Bebo and Hoverspot showing remarkable growth since January 2007.

Another factoid we need to take note of in Hitwise’s analysis is that ethnic community sites Black Planet and Mi Gente also make it to the top 20. They are not just offering story, video or music exchange. They are tapping into a common cultural thread among their members, without forgoing diversity of views and backgrounds.

It would be too simplistic and incorrect to say that a given ethnic community site would do well because its members share similar demographic characteristics. Thriving social networking sites allow members to find like-minded people within their sub-cultures, share and shape experiences. The leading ethnic community sites are standing proof of this basic concept.