The Pew Internet Project has released a report detailing the search habits of Americans, and they confirm what many of us already know: Internet search has become a part of daily life for many people, to the point that it is challenging the dominance of Email, the web’s longstanding killer app.
According to the study, nearly 50% of internet users use search engines like Google or Yahoo on a daily basis – substantially more than the number of people who check news (39%) or the weather (30%). While search still falls behind Email use, which holds steady at 60%, it is showing significantly more growth. In the six year span between January 2002 and May 2008, search use increased by 69%, while Email use grew only 15% during the same period.
It’s important to note that this data pertains only to usage on a “typical day”. 90% of web users use a search engine at some point over the course of a month – a figure that has held relatively constant over the years. But as search engine accuracy has improved, more people are turning to them for their day to day information instead of traditional tools like bookmarks and homepages.
I am still evaluating LiveSearch and the pros and cons for that. Email and search….I think I personally spend an even amount of time. When ever you are disciplined enough to stop checking various email accounts too frequently you find a great email you are glad you did not miss. I wonder will all search engines do what other corporations do…..merge into 1.
As this shows, the use of email is going to “fizzle out” in a couple of years. While that is quite a bold prediction, I think that the reign it had for the past decade will start to diminish as other forms of communication emerge.
Did TechCrunch die on anyone else’s mobile phone? I’m getting a blank screen on mine now.
Of course, given that most of us use address-bar search rather than typed URLs, it’s amazing we don’t blow that stat away completely.
However, I’m pretty sure I check email about 5 to 1 or better compared to initiating a search with any intention of going through a search results list.
An even more interesting comparison, IMHO, would be the odds of clicking through to a second page of search results versus repeat-searching with modified terms.
Interesting insight! I am always trying to get less messages (email and voice mail). If I need something I just google it, whether I am on my blackberry or on my laptop at home.
Who needs email when search can sometimes get you an instant response
missing: time spent on each!
i can do one seach every day and spend 30 seconds on it
i can do emailing everyday and spend 30 minutes.
Where is “Watch Porn” on the chart?
Surf web for fun which accounts for 26% usage
oooh. I am surprised that social netowrking websites account for 13% usage only. I think, in future we will see a steady growth in social networking site usage. And Research/Hobby may seen growth. I would not be surprised if searches bypass the email figure.
It is odd to compare Search with Email, just like comparing an apple with a chair.
What are we supposed to do with this information?
So does that mean Yahoo should be valued more?
Its either Google Search or Gmail — either way Google wins!
Interesting stuff…but definitely not a surprise to me. I work at a major Web Analytics firm that offers an integrated Search application and it seems that search has just recently (I am talking last 6-12 months) seen a spike in interest. I think of it as that mid-market boost that happens during this part of the app lifecycle as SMB and traditional industries have that internal realization of “oh shit….I am way behind the competition…better try this out…even if I don’t have a clue about what I am doing.” It is without a doubt driven by the amount and frequency of online searches going on now.
As far as some of the comments about what to do with this information; I take it as a good sign that there is an opportunity here. Search is primarily a lead-acquisition tool, getting new customers to your site. Email should be used primarily as a remarketing and customer relationship management tool. That being said, they are complementary apps, both taking one side of the conversion process. If you are smart and have the technology (web analytics integrated with ESP) you can start optimizing this relationship by customizing email based on search behavior. For instance, create email touches that are contextually relevant to the search engine and search term the individual has used in the past.