The latest comScore 2010 Digital Year in Review report indicates that Facebook grew 38 percent last year, whereas Twitter saw 18 percent annual growth. But can the microblogging site’s growth outpace the social giant this year?

The latest comScore 2010 Digital Year in Review report indicates that Facebook grew 38 percent last year, whereas Twitter saw 18 percent annual growth. But can the microblogging site’s growth outpace the social giant this year?

A forecast from eMarketer indicates that Facebook will reach an estimated 132.5 million U.S. internet users in 2011. As Brafton reported, this means the social site will reach the majority of American internet users and nearly half of the overall U.S. population.

The predicted expansion of Facebook’s user base demonstrates 13.4 percent growth. Meanwhile, Twitter is expected to grow by 26.3 percent. While Facebook reaches a much broader audience, continuously dramatic Twitter growth expected over the next few years should indicate to marketers that the microblogging site must not be ignored.

In fact, Twitter is working hard to catch marketers’ interest this season. Yesterday, Brafton reported that the site is targeting SMBs to act as advertising partners. The company wants to work with smaller companies to show Tweets can help mom and pop shops as much as major corporations.

Brands of all sizes may be interested in using Twitter to distribute industry-relevant content. Search giant Google recently expanded its social search options, and content shared on publicly available social sites, such as Twitter, can help boost brand rankings.

Katherine Griwert is Brafton's Marketing Director. She's practiced content marketing, SEO and social marketing for over five years, and her enthusiasm for new media has even deeper roots. Katherine holds a degree in American Studies from Boston College, and her writing is featured in a number of web publications.