Duluth Looks Back on 10 Years of Facebook

DULUTH - On any given day, there are 250 million people logging on to the most popular social network in the world.

More than one billion people are Facebook users and Tuesday the site turned 10 years old.

Whether you run a business or run the city of Duluth, Facebook has changed the way people advertise their business, share pictures, and connect with the community around them.

“Facebook is an opportunity to snow your personality and make yourself a little bit more accessible,” said Duluth Mayor Don Ness.

He sees the social network as a place to connect with his constituents and explain his stance on complex topics.

“Sharing a little bit of your personal side or showing that you can have a sense of humor even in the face of difficult issues,” said Ness.

Duluth Grill went viral through Facebook nearly a year ago when a woman posted a story about her disabled client making too much noise at breakfast.

A nearby man told the boy to quiet down and the owner of Duluth Grill escorted the man out.

“It was at 500 likes that morning,” recalls Duluth Grill’s general manager, Jeff Petcoff. “Then it just kept going and going and going and we were just blown away and couldn't believe how popular it got.”

Duluth Grill sees the viral story as a positive because it brought the community together and business through the door.

For Anchors End Tattoo Shop in downtown Duluth, Facebook is a way to show an artist's daily masterpiece.

“It's a constant commercial, it's a constant billboard,” said shop owner, Joseph John. “It's ever changing everyday, so it's great for us.”

Facebook has also changed the way people get their news.

More than 90 percent of stories viewed on the Fox 21 News website are directed from people clicking the link through Facebook.