Is competitor pressure causing Facebook to up its game? Either way, the users win.

There was a time when we all thought Facebook could just rest on its laurels, watching social network wannabes (and even fairly on-par competitors) attempt to steal a fraction of its user base. Facebook clearly had a firm, unwavering grip on our loyalty, and no matter the frustrations or even outrage it caused us, our digital identities and communities were so ingrained in the site that leaving would be worse than staying. And yes, that is a phrase you often use to describe returning to an abusive relationship.

But that may no longer be the case. Part of Facebook’s incredible success can be attributed to timing: Its launch targeted an audience that had been raised with the Internet and was accustomed to experimenting with social platforms. Of course, it’s brilliant design and attention to social applications is why they stuck with it. But we’re growing up and older, and there are ample entrepreneurs who are designing applications to utilize everything the Internet can do–and some of them are really, really good.