RESTON, Va., Jan 24, 2008 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX News Network/ -- comScore (Nasdaq: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, today released the November 2007 U.S. rankings of the top web widgets and announced key enhancements to the comScore Widget Metrix service. The service measures independent objects that can be embedded or downloaded onto another site and can be used as a tool, have automatic content updates, or are interactive. These objects are most often referred to as "widgets," but may also include other naming conventions such as Facebook "applications" and Google "gadgets." The most recent enhancements to comScore Widget Metrix include the reporting of JavaScript objects and Facebook applications. Measurement of Facebook applications requires that a user actively engage with the application, different from the reporting of other widgets, which are measured in terms of views or exposures.

"The widget space is rapidly evolving, and we are continuing to add various widget file types into our definition to provide the most accurate and comprehensive reporting in the marketplace," said comScore executive vice president Linda Boland Abraham. "The inclusion of Facebook applications in our reporting structure represents a significant step in that direction. As the widget universe continues to evolve, it will become necessary to define better industry standards, and comScore is committed to aiding in that effort."

MySpace.com Widgets Reach Largest U.S. Audience

In November 2007, nearly 148 million U.S. Internet users viewed widgets, representing 81 percent of the total audience. MySpace.com widgets had the widest audience, reaching more than 57 million Internet users, while Slide.com ranked second with 39.2 million viewers. Google.com has the sixth widest widget-viewing audience with more than 19 million viewers.

    Top Web Widget Viewing Audiences*
    November 2007
    Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations
    Source: comScore Widget Metrix
                                                                   Penetration
                                                     Unique           of U.S.
                                                    Viewers          Internet
    Widget                                           (000)            Audience
    Total U.S. Widget Viewers                       147,904            81.1 %
    MySpace.com - Widget                             57,747            31.7 %
    Slide.com - Widget                               39,213            21.5 %
    Clearspring.com - Widget**                       39,159            21.5 %
    RockYou.com - Widget                             32,557            17.9 %
    Photobucket.com - Widget                         26,434            14.5 %
    Google.com - Widget                              19,436            10.7 %
    BunnyHeroLabs.com - Widget                       16,123             8.8 %
    MusicPlaylist.us - Widget                        15,844             8.7 %
    MyPlaylist.org - Widget                          15,586             8.5 %
    BlingyBlob.com - Widget                          14,967             8.2 %

    *  Facebook.com excluded from list due to different measurement
       methodology
    ** Clearspring is a widget platform and has independent objects; both are
       included in its total

"Top Friends" Tops Facebook Application Rankings

The inaugural Facebook application rankings revealed that more than 20 million Facebook visitors, or 61 percent of the site's U.S. audience, engaged with an application in November. Visitors between the ages of 18-24 were twice as likely as the average Facebook visitor to engage with applications, while those aged 25 and older were less likely than average to exhibit this behavior.

"Top Friends" by Slide was the top ranked application during the month, with more than 6.2 million engaged viewers (18.5 percent of the Facebook audience), followed by Movies by Flixster with 5.2 million (15.4 percent), and SuperPoke! by Slide with 3.6 million (10.8 percent). Slide contributed three of the ten most engaged Facebook applications in November, while RockYou! contributed two.

    Top Facebook Applications*
    November 2007
    Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations
    Source: comScore Widget Metrix
                                                                   Penetration
                                                    Engaged          of Total
                                                     Widget           U.S.
                                                    Viewers          Facebook
    Facebook Application                             (000)           Audience
    Total Facebook.com Visitors                      33,660           100.0 %
    Total Facebook Applications                      20,649            61.3 %
    Top Friends (Slide)                               6,230            18.5 %
    Movies (Flixster)                                 5,199            15.4 %
    SuperPoke! (Slide)                                3,626            10.8 %
    Compare People                                    3,503            10.4 %
    iLike                                             3,449            10.2 %
    Super Wall (RockYou!)                             3,237             9.6 %
    Likeness (RockYou!)                               2,693             8.0 %
    Quizzes                                           2,583             7.7 %
    FunWall (Slide)                                   2,107             6.3 %
    Graffiti                                          1,647             4.9 %

    * Rankings based on number of people that actively engaged with the
      application during the course of the month, which includes interacting
      with the object, downloads of the object or views of the application
      information page. The rankings may differ from Facebook.com's own "Most
      Active User" rankings, which are based on daily active users.

Widget Definitions

The current universe of widgets is defined as embedded Shockwave Flash objects, certain JavaScript objects, and Facebook applications. The comScore Widget Metrix service will evolve in its tracking of widget file types as the market dynamics and content delivery systems change. The report currently focuses on the individual widgets, and not the platforms that deliver them. Desktop widgets are not included in the reporting.

To request more information on comScore Widget Metrix, please visit http://www.comscore.com/contact.

About comScore

comScore, Inc. is a global leader in measuring the digital world. This capability is based on a massive, global cross-section of more than 2 million consumers who have given comScore permission to confidentially capture their browsing and transaction behavior, including online and offline purchasing. comScore panelists also participate in survey research that captures and integrates their attitudes and intentions. Through its proprietary technology, comScore measures what matters across a broad spectrum of behavior and attitudes. comScore analysts apply this deep knowledge of customers and competitors to help clients design powerful marketing strategies and tactics that deliver superior ROI. comScore services are used by more than 800 clients, including global leaders such as AOL, Microsoft, Yahoo!, Verizon, Best Buy, The Newspaper Association of America, Tribune Interactive, ESPN, Fox Sports, Nestle, MBNA, Starcom USA, Universal McCann, the United States Postal Service, Merck and Expedia. For more information, please visit http://www.comscore.com.

SOURCE comScore, Inc.

http://www.comscore.com

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