Studies Show the Importance of SEO

According to a recent study by the Pew Internet & American Life Project, the number of Internet users who use search engines on a daily basis as been steadily rising over the past six years.

A similar study by the group in 2002 reported that about one third of users visited search engine sites daily, but that number has increased to an impressive 49% this year making the importance of search engine placement and visibility even more evident to those doing business online. This only goes to substantiate what ecommerce website development experts have been saying for years now.

The same group authored a study last year that reported on average that 8 out of 10 Americans use the Internet to explore and educate themselves on their hobbies and interests. This information can easily be translated into dollar signs for online businesses that take the initiative to cater their copy and content to focus on niche interest groups such as these.

There are a few additional statistics that may do more to capture your attention as well. For example, 66% of college graduates use a search engine daily, as opposed to 32% of those with a high school diploma (or less).

When it comes to income, more is more. The higher the income, the more likely they are to use search engines daily:

• 62% of people making $75,000 or more annually
• 56% of people making $50,000 – 74,999
• 34% of people making $30,000 – 49,999
• 35% of people making less than $30,000

What about the ages of these potential customers? This is how the same study breaks down on age lines:

• 55% of 18 – 29 year olds
• 54% of 30 – 49 year olds
• 40% of 50 – 64 year olds
• 27% of 65 years and older

As for the gender debate, the study has a lot to say as well:

Data collected since 2002 show that men who use the internet have consistently been more likely than women to integrate search into their daily lives. The percentage of online men who search on a typical day has risen steadily from 33% in 2002 to 53% currently. The percentage of women has also risen, increasing from 25% in 2002 to 45%.