More than nine out of ten business to business (B2B) marketers are using social media as part of their efforts to reach customers, according to new research.

Called the Emerging Trends in B-to-B Social Marketing: Insights From the Field, the report found that 93 per cent of B2B marketers use social media marketing.

LinkedIn, which recently announced that it now has 100 million members, was highlighted as the most popular site for social networking activities.

Facebook and Twitter were also well-utilised, the study, which was released by BtoB Online, revealed.

Nearly 45 per cent used blogging as a means of marketing, while 48 per cent used YouTube.

Dan Rickershauser, marketing researcher with customer relationship management company Landslide Technologies, said marketers are probably spending more time on Facebook than Twitter "because it's a little more clean and controllable".

"I think the real winners are the companies that are using Facebook marketing because they are still relatively ahead of the pack," he added.

This news comes from the Direct Marketing Association and the website www.b2balliance.info which brings together best practice guidelines and other key information on a range of B2B Marketing & Communication topics from a powerful alliance of specialist trade organisations.