"Throughout the period, Facebook's popularity, despite falling consistently, was the highest, whereas Pininterest's was the lowest."

[hardyweineberg]

"Throughout the period, Facebook's popularity, despite falling consistently, was the highest, whereas Pininterest's was the lowest."
Source: me

1) What are the rules for using possessives? I read somewhere that they should only be used to talk about people, animals, countries, and celestial bodies, but "Facebook's popularity" sounds correct to me, despite not being in line with those rules.

2) Is it grammatical to put "despite" immediately after the subject of sentence?

3) Is my sentence okay?

 

[teechar]

I read somewhere that they should only be used to talk about people, animals, countries, and celestial bodies

Where did you read that? Please provide the source/a link.

2) Is it grammatical to put "despite" immediately after the subject of sentence?

If you mean as in the above, then it's possible.

3) Is my sentence okay?

OK, but note that it presumes a known/specific period is being referred to. Also note it's "Pinterest".

 

[hardyweineberg]

Where did you read that? Please provide the source/a link.

If you mean as in the above, then it's possible.

OK, but note that it presumes a known/specific period is being referred to. Also note it's "Pinterest".

I can't remember the name of the website. I am pretty sure I have checked more than 70 websites for grammar advice.

 

[Tarheel]

You'll see that usage quite often.

Facebook's popularity
The Ottoman Empire's demise
The Roman Empire's collapse
The British Empire's rise and fall
Nazi Germany's invasion of the USSR
New York's crime rate
North Korea's isolation