Facebook注册用户的空间分布特征与影响因素

互联网地理学研究已成为近年国际人文地理学研究的热点之一，但对网站注册用户空间分布的研究较少。本研究以世界最大的社交网站Facebook为研究对象，利用获得的2012年注册用户规模数据，具体分析其空间分布规律与影响因素。研究发现：①无论是在洲际层面还是国家层面，Facebook注册用户的规模与普及率分布都存在着巨大差异。其中前者的集中化指数高，且偏重发达国家和人口规模过亿的国家；后者则是欧美、大洋洲和高收入国家相对偏高。②Facebook注册用户规模主要受国家经济总量、人口数量和网民规模三个层面因素影响，普及率则主要受人均收入、人口层面的城镇化率、网民普及率和网络基础设施等层面因素影响。此外，上网工具变革、文化差异和网络监督制度也是影响其空间分布的重要因素。③由于成为Facebook注册用户的基本前提是其必须首先是网民，因此后者也相应成为影响前者空间分布最为直接的因素。其他因素主要通过作用网民进而实现对Facebook注册用户空间分布的影响。

The spatial distribution and influencing factors of Facebook users

Websites aren’t only components of cyberspace, but also one of basic breakthrough points for studying cyberspace or internet from the perspective of geography. Differences exist in types of websites, websites of the same category, countries to which websites belong and service objects, where it is inevitable that impacts and presentation forms of geographical elements aren’t totally identical. However, geographical rules will be unified as long as websites are adequately famous with a huge amount of users to browse, register and log in to them. Laws of spatial distribution of registered website users are the most fundamental focuses, while Facebook is definitely the optimal case for a global study. This paper explores spatial distribution of Facebook users by considering number and penetration of users. Factors affecting spatial distribution of Facebook users are quantitatively and qualitatively examined. Quantitative indicators are selected on the basis of analyzing factors impacting distribution of individual netizens and those from different countries. After research, conclusions are reached as follows in this paper. Firstly, at the continental or national level, number and penetration of Facebook users greatly differ. Centralization index of the former is high, inclined to developed countries and nations with over 0.1 billion population, while the latter index is relatively high in Europe, America, Oceania and high income countries. Secondly, number of Facebook users is mainly impacted by three aspects factors of GDP, population size and number of netizens. Penetration is primarily influenced by multiple level factors of per capita income, urbanization rate, internet penetration and network infrastructure. In addition, transformation of internet surfing tools, cultural differences and network supervision system are important factors affecting spatial distribution of Facebook users. Thirdly, a basic premise for one to become a Facebook user is that he must be a. Thus, netizens is the most direct factor impacting the spatial distribution of Facebook users accordingly. On one hand, other factors mainly influence spatial distribution of Facebook users by affecting distribution of netizens. On the other hand, although spatial distribution of Facebook users and netizens correspond to each other to a great extent, it isn’t totally consistent. Fourthly, traditional geographical elements have indirect impacts upon spatial distribution of Facebook users. They impose impacts upon distribution of netizens, especially of Facebook users by affecting national economic growth, population distribution and cultural differences, etc.