Daily search engine use now more common

7th August 2008

Almost half of web users consult a search engine at least once a day, new research has revealed.

A total of 49 per cent of the internet population go to a search site everyday, up from one-third of users in 2002, said the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

Search appears to be catching up with email as the most common everyday task performed on the internet, the organisation said, as six in ten people currently check their emails every day.

Pew said that some of the driving factors behind the growing popularity of search engines may be down to these sites offering an improved functionality for web users.

It also cited higher broadband penetration and the increasing use of site search facilities across many web properties as potential reasons.

In related news, a recent Nielsen Online study suggested that Google search was the most popular website for Britons in the year ending June 2008.