MySpace layouts is now the world's 9th most popular search term, according to the latest data coming out of Hitwise. We've already seen how huge the market is around feeding the MySpace beast (creating Flash widgets for social networking profiles), but MySpace layouts are also a massive driver of traffic. In fact, these sites are growing at about the same rate as MySpace itself - while the market share of visits to MySpace increased by 60% over the last 6 months, visits to the Hitwise "Web Development" category have increased by 57% over the same period. The top sites are no doubt making big bucks from their ad-supported business models.
Designers will also be overjoyed to learn that 9 of the top 10 web development sites in the world create MySpace layouts and flashing gifs. Additionally, it's interesting to note that the top players are not simply those that have the highest Google ranking for "MySpace Layouts" (although there is some correlation).
So who are the big winners here? I thought I'd do a quick, easy-to-read, fun-for-all-the-family round up of the Top 10 companies in this booming sector. The following are ranked by market share.
FreeWebLayouts
FreeWebLayouts also has a profile creator that lets users develop their own customized MySpace layouts - not to mention the hundreds of buttons, banners and add-ons that are available. Obviously all these elements will all link back to FreeWebLayouts when inserted into your MySpace profile - resulting in masses of traffic from MySpace.
HotFreeLayouts
PimpYourPro
Like all these sites, PimpYourPro has diversified beyond MySpace layouts - they also offer video codes (ala YouTube) and games, seemingly through partnerships with other sites. A service like Bunchball should seriously consider partnering with one of these services to increase adoption. In fact, anyone who is feeding the MySpace beast should make contact with all of these companies ASAP and try to strike a distribution deal.
FreeCodeSource
Blogthings
Additionally, Blogthings generates custom html code for LiveJournal, Xanga, Facebook, MSN Spaces (aka Windows Live Spaces) and forums. Another important point is that Blogthings offers multiple ways for users to be notified of new stuff. Members can subscribe in MyYahoo, Xanga, MyAOL and LiveJournal. A basic RSS feed is also offered, but I doubt it sees much usage.
WhateverLife
MyGirlySpace
FreeFlashToys
FreeFlashToys also has a cunning MySpace-specific affiliate scheme: if you put a "FreeFlashToys promoter" button on your MySpace page, the site will count the number of visitors you refer. The top referrers get featured on FreeFlashToys, presumably earning them more attention and friend requests. This is a really interesting trend: MySpacers will happily advertise your product for free if you can help them gain more friends. Does this have any consequences for sites like MyPickList, which is offering cash in exchange for product promotion? Definitely something to think about.
Memegen
BlinkYou
Summary
MySpace layouts and so-called "MySpace codes" are a huge, huge market - perhaps even bigger than the market for MySpace widgets. What's more, I doubt this is a winner-takes-all game - there's a huge long tail of sites providing friend adders, virtual pets and many more MySpace additions. However, it should also be noted that many (probably most) of these sites are full of scams, spam and adware (see MySpace Codes Bring Adware Payload). As a result, Googling "MySpace layouts" is probably an unwise move.
See also: MySpace, America's Number One.
Attention MySpace Users!
Mashable's MySpace account is at myspace.com/mashable - if you're a MySpace user, feel free to add Mashable to your friends list.