The number of homes in the United States with access to the Internet rose 8% in the past year to 58% of households, according to research released Monday by Nielsen/NetRatings (NTRT: news, msgs). The number of online users rose 16%, to 102 million, in the same period. "Despite a troubled economy and slumping PC sales, adoption of the Internet continues to grow at double-digit annual rates," said Sean Kaldor, vice president of analytical services, NetRatings. "The Web long-ago captured early adopters and is now reaching the latter half of mainstream America. Growth is being driven by late adopters and by more aggressive use from the enormous existing Internet population." Web users spent an average of 10 hours and 19 minutes online during the month of July, he said, a 7% increase from July 2000. Surfers also accessed the Internet more frequently, logging on 11% more often during the past year.
O.K. so folks are spending an average of over 10 hours a week on the net ... and we still have double-digit growth.
This is perplexing. I keep hearing that there's no working advertising model, no real content model ... yada yada.
What I'd like to know is ... what are people DOING on the Internet?
My two cents ...
1. When I read an ad in the (paper) NY Times ... I don't find myself suddenly reading "Field and Stream" magazine. Likewise watching commericals during the Super Bowl doesn't change the channel to one of 23 channels showing "It's a Wonderfull Life". Banner Ads suck and we do need something better (and no, the X10 ad isn't it).
2. The pendulum of "irrational exuberance" has swung so far in the other direction ... that excellent opportunities are being missed. Heck I am surprised at the growth ... very surprised.
3. I still believe in the content and application "acid test" of the web. Does this make sense on the web? Is it better on the web than it would be on TV/Radio/Print? Is this web application a poor substitute for a standard PC program ... or is it something that could ONLY work on the web...
What do you think....
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