Virtual goods can also "further the depth of the user experience on a social site." The Guide makes it clear that finding viable alternatives to online advertising revenue needs to be a priority for social networks in 2009. The 2009 Net Investment Guide presents an overall picture of virtual goods as an emergent but reliable revenue stream that offers platforms both stability and a way to increase user involvement in an online community. While 2008 was a strong year of growth for the virtual goods market, there are already signs that 2009's economic downturn may in fact offer new opportunities for growth in the virtual goods industry. - scott willeke