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Earlier this week, a circulating report pegged the number of iOS owners accessing Facebook each month at a staggering 104 million. With over 100 million iOS devices in the wild, this figure suggested that each iOS device was actively being used to browse Facebook. This number raised some eyebrows and prompted Facebook to take a closer look at this reported figure.
After a quick recount, Facebook adjusted the number of active iOS users downward by an equally staggering 60M. According to a Facebook spokesperson, Facebook for iPhone only has 44M active monthly users, not the previously reported 104M. This discrepancy arose from Facebook’s practice of counting any individual who opened the app as an “active” user. Further ballooning this number, Facebook also included those who liked or commented on a stream story in this pool of active users.
This new 44 million count shaves off these excess users and reflects a more reasonable number of iOS users. Though not as sensational as 104 million, this newly revised figure is still impressive. Of the 150M people regularly checking Facebook from a mobile device, 44M (29%) are using an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch. Folks with a thing for numbers may want to keep a watchful eye on this stat as this number may fluctuate quite a bit in the upcoming weeks. With the new Facebook Places initially available only on the iPhone, a pool of inactive mobile Facebook users may fire up their iPhone or iPod Touch to try out this new feature.
[via TUAW]
About The Author
Kelly Hodgkins
Kelly spent the last four years covering mobile technology at places like BGR, Gizmodo and The Unofficial Apple Weblog. Before writing, she spent a few years working with and teaching others how to use Adobe Flash and Macromedia Director. Even earlier than that, she spent several years as a Ph.D student in Microbiology. When she's not writing, she can be found fishing the lakes and hiking the mountains of Western Maine with her husband and tribe of children. You can follow her on Twitter @kellyhodgkins.
