How the Social Web Reflected on Bin Laden’s Death

What a difference 10 years make. In the past 24 hours, a resource we didn’t even have a decade ago has become a primary medium — not only for finding out about important news but also for sharing it and reacting to it.

News of terrorist Osama bin Laden’s death has been spreading across the social web with a speed and volume only seen in the most dramatic world events. In fact, many of you heard the news via Twitter or Facebook before turning to traditional news sources.

You might have even turned to such services to express your feelings about the news, as well.

We’ve written a lot about the social web’s reaction to bin Laden’s destruction (see list of stories below the slideshow). Here’s a roundup showing how various services were used over the past 24 hours to spread news, to connect people and to allow us to express our mixed emotions of elation, anger and — for some — doubt over one of 2011′s biggest news stories.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

In a Mashable poll of 20,000 readers, the majority of you said you found out about the death through Twitter or Facebook.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

As news of bin Laden’s death began to spread, Twitter usage swelled with links, rumors, and reports about the raid.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

Sunday night, Foursquare users around the world began creating and checking into locations with names like “Osama bin Gonathon.”

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

But not all social media users were jubilant. Sunday night, a Facebook page called “Osama bin Laden is DEAD” went viral — but the page advocates the belief that bin Laden had been dead for a long time before the raid and presidential address.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

We all wanted to be part of and take part in the news. Path told The New York Times that 20% of pics uploaded Sunday night were bin Laden-related, and Instagram said it saw a 35% increase in uploads.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

Monday, the White House released photos of the President and other security staffers watching reports from the raid as it unfolded. The public, anxious for more proof of bin Laden’s death, responded strongly.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

Google Maps was updated with a (likely inaccurate) pinpoint for bin Laden’s last hideout. Maps users begin posting “reviews” to the Place page.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

YouTube ended up being an important destination for citizen and professional journalists, as well as an outlet for the crowds gathering to celebrate bin Laden’s downfall. Organizations such as the Associated Press and ABC News were using YouTube to spread important news.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

Some search engine stats aren’t yet available, but Yahoo revealed that a news-hungry public was searching for bin Laden-related articles.

Social Media’s Reaction to Bin Laden’s Death

Between the event that sparked our decade-long search for bin Laden and the event that ended it, we’ve come to rely on the Internet as a trusted, timely and always-on news source. Bin Laden’s demise cause a huge surge in web traffic overall.