While Iowa caucusgoers official 2012 Republican President kicked off nominating contest, in the world of social media among national users, Texas Rep. Ron Paul already is leading, according to data analysis using Facebook by Socialbakers, which collects social media statistics.
“The amount of interaction just crazy,” says CEO Jan Rezab Socialbakers. “Ten percent of Facebook fans Paul talking about himself. Average for brands such as Coca-Cola’s only 1 percent. “
Paul engagement levels-the number of “like” and comment on posts, divided by the number of fans-have grown at a rate that is faster in the last month than any other Republican Presidential contenders or President Obama, Rezab said.
Socialbakers than any candidate in the Iowa Caucus. While Paul leads in Facebook engagement, former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney not far behind. And Minnesota Rep. Michele Bachmann fans chat with each other than any fan base, Rezab said.
How much involvement online will reflect what’s happening at the ballot box or caucus participation remains to be seen.