Facebook study shows that men, married people are the most influential social networkers

Facebook study reveals that men and married people are the most influential online.

Researchers at New York University studied social networking influence by examining how the use of a movie-rating app spread through Facebook users.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the study found that men were more influential than women and married people tend to be the most influential on the social network.

Indeed, those with the relationship status "It's Complicated" were the least persuasive and the most gullible.

The study used the film-rating app to test for influence by having it sent to a random selection of the users' friends.

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After the participant used the app, friends were sent a message asking them to join the app as well.

HealthDay reported that over 40,000 messages were sent from nearly 8000 users with just under 1000 accepting the app offer.

Due to the messages, the app saw a 13 percent increase in usage, reported the Los Angeles Times.

The researchers found that men were nearly 50 percent more influential than women.

The New Scientist reported that influence increases with age as people over 31 had a much better chance of convincing friends than those under 18.

The study may help advertisers better understand how social networking can sell products but also how more altruistic endeavors such as human rights campaigns can succeed using social media.

The report was published in the journal Science.