Michael Jackson-related traffic doubled Twitter's update frequency, tripled Facebook's [UPDATED]

Traffic to news sites in North America saw a massive spike as the Michael Jackson story unfolded. Times are EST. Credit: Akamai.

As the news of Michael Jackson's fate unfolded, sites around the Web felt the strain of spiking interest.

On Twitter, the volume of Jackson-related messages – up to 5,000 per minute at peak – put such a demand on the site that it slowed considerably.

“We saw an instant doubling of tweets per second the moment the story broke,” Twitter co-founder Biz Stone wrote in an e-mail response to our inquiry. “This particular news about the passing of such a global icon is the biggest jump in tweets per second since the U.S. presidential election.”

"Regarding performance," he added, "there were reports of slowness following the spike in activity. It highlighted an opportunity for improvement which we'll be acting on right away."

Online chatterers reported slowness at other social hubs, including AOL’s popular instant message system and at the blog site LiveJournal. 

The Los Angeles Times website creaked beneath the weight of the story as well, with nearly 2.3 million page views in one hour, more traffic than during any single hour last Nov. 5, the site’s highest-traffic day.

Facebook saw a frenzy of activity, too. A spokeswoman for the company said the number of status updates during the hour after the Jackson news emerged was triple the average. She said Facebook remained free of performance issues.

Traffic to the leading online news sites throughout North America was at least 20% above average, according to Akamai’s Net Usage Index, which monitors online news consumption around the world.

The intense interest among Web users was evident on sites that track which terms are most popular among users. Phrases such as “Rip MJ,” “King of Pop” and “Thriller” were among the most frequently used on Twitter, and on Google.com, “Michael Jackson died” became the most popular query.

Updated, 7:27 p.m.: A statement from AOL noted the following: “At AOL our AIM instant messaging service was undergoing a previously scheduled software update which should normally prove routine.  It proved not to be. There was a significant increase in traffic due to today’s news and AIM was down for approximately 40 minutes this afternoon."

The statement also noted that, "Today was a seminal moment in Internet history. We've never seen anything like it in terms of scope or depth."

Updated, Friday June 26th, 1:24 p.m.: Yahoo is reporting record traffic too:  "Yahoo! News set a record in unique visitors with 16.4 million UV's in a day.  Our previous record was on election day when we had 15.1 million visitors.Yahoo! News had 4 million visitors come to the site between 3-4 pm, setting an hourly record."

-- David Sarno

Comments

[Kevin Burton]

Here's the burst of content that we saw from Twitter on Spinn3r:

http://feedblog.org/2009/06/25/michael-jackson-spike-on-twitter/

[Kristina]

I was on Twitter this afternoon when it spiked beyond recognition, it was really crazy. You couldn't tweet, refresh, nothing. But it was amazing to see that so many people loved MJ. I had the idea to change our pics or backgrounds black and white, which I see as fitting for this event in history. No matter black or white, we we're all united by MJ. Thank you!!

Follow me @KristinaFBaby

[Ed Pischedda - Dallas, Texas and Portland, Oregon]

So who the hell cares about how much public interest in Michael Jackson prompts spikes in Twitter and Facebook traffic? It is of no importance. Why don't you call up Pac-Bell and tell us how much their telephone traffic spiked at the same time? I'm on pins and needles waiting to know. Is this the new LA Times, bringing us pseudo-in-the-know tales of dog biting man yet again?

One of the few things more nauseating than the LA Times' fawning coverage of Mr. Jackson's unfortunate death is its equally fawning and inane implication that the day-to-day sputterings of Twitter and Facebook are of any significance whatsoever. Like Mr. Jackson Twitter and Facebook are unimportant, but at least he was entertaining.

When the world is ruled by thirteen-year-old girls, then perhaps Twitter and Facebook will matter, but until then only fact-checked, edited and printed pages are repositories of the significant.

[Pascal@TweeSpeed]

Other graphes concerning traffic increase on Twitter via http://www.tweespeed.com

Impressive !!

[Shaw Deshai]

Here's a twitter service that links tweets to news articles (how I learned about MJ first):

http://zooie.wordpress.com

[Kathy]

Michaels music for me brought hope and enlightenment He was a one and only, a great understander of emotions and the harshness of this crazy world we live in. Peace is now with him. Michael my heart breaks to say goodbye. Thank you................. for all you gave

[Jana]

Michael is dearly loved and will be dearly lost. Please just remember him for all the amazing work he did for people as well as what his music and dance have done to change the world in one way or another. There isn't a person on this planet between the ages of 20 and 90 who doesn't know who he is. He is truly a legend and deserves all the respect and honor in the world. Only the good die young! Peace be with Michael as well as his family! Thank you again for all the wonderful things you have brought to us during your short life!

[albert]

we have lost a legend !! i grew up buying jackson 5 records and it had been a while since i really cared much for his songs after off the wall !! but i now realise that i was throwing stones from a glass house !! i just had a problem getting over the payoff to that kid and that bothers me !! if you did not commit a crime , you fight back and prove your innocense !!! no amount of money can replace your dignity !!! but he was surrounded by vultures his hole life , including that abusive father and the mother who did not fight for her children !! thats just my opinion !! i will prey that he forgives me !!! we love you michael , and we will miss you !!!

[Alan]

R.I.P MJ

we love you

[Bob]

Michael Jackson was killed by Iranian agents at the behest of Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in order to divert attention from his oppression of the Iranian people. It worked. There is not a major news network in the country that is talking about Iran, they are spending their time on Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, and comparisons to Elvis. Meanwhile Iranians die, and they get no TV specials.

[nekosukimusume]

I wonder what caused that Michael Jackson had lost his life, so rumor has it that he was assassinated by somebody dangerous..
I don't believe the rumor, but some prooves of the rumor were found.
Maybe his doctor murdered him with poisonous medicine.

[Sandi Krueger]

When you love someone's talent so much, it is so emotional when they die.

Let's stop the false accusations. People just want his money. We should focus on hthe positive. He was a wonderful person. He gave a lot of time and money to charity.

He is now in peace. Mentally, physically and emotionally.

[bkind]

have you seen these bad assMichael Jackson Memorial shirts I go mine in three days and the shipping didn't cost anything... it was at http://www.michaeljacksonshirts.org

[njr]

Michael Jackson was an amazing talent. He had an incredible work ethic, and changed the music/entertainment industry forever. RIP MJ, you will be missed.

[dina]

Hi my aim tinaro53 aol. My intersted is michael is alive and ok there been talk he is ...... If he is living a healthy life don't have to change now his latest music will be a big come back to his fans. If he is gone he will rest in peace & I don't care what any body said about him he is too nice thats the thing like my daugher said haters' fall back......michael never change u kept on working just to make your fans happy.... what about u thats why u are the king of pop people like make our kids come true & work hard & keep it real. when thriller came out when i was young it was hot***** we will miss you rowe family

[dina]

I hpoe and prays to the jackson one thing i learned u never change who u are but most important that i wish for michael he should stay off the drugs &eat well and relax his music will always be here with our heart .......*******************************************************

super star...... michael music will never die

[Bradford J. King]

Michael Jackson personally inspired me to create my own Neverland Ranch style getaway, only locally in the Hollywood / Los Angeles area.

His creativity, flamboyance and attention to ornate detail will be greatly missed. I even named my place Melodyland Ranch based on his inspiration. He will be greatly missed.

[Francis]

You were simply the best and a legend Mike, will miss you RIP..

[amber]

Well, i would say that twitter is the only service where you can get response to what you said with put any delay.Passing of MJ was the tragic accident and people when they are effected by some incident,try to share it .Twitter is the new way to show how you feel about particular incident.

[los angeles locksmith]

I think regardless of what media you are using Michael Jackson will be the focus of attention. The public interest he sparks is going to be off the charts regardless of where it is viewed. We should focus on his accomplishments as an artist and not how much traffic his name generates. Michael will be missed for a very long time.

[Non Chexsystems Banks]

Michael Jackson is a legend and his name is never going to be forgotten. It just shows how popular and loved he is when that many people start talking about him and searching him on the internet. I remember there were a few other celebrities that died before him, and that did not have as much affect as when Michael passed away. It is also amazing how much the sales on all of his music and stuff skyrocketed like CRAZY!