Web Surfers Spend 23 Percent More Time Online Than Last Year, According to Nielsen//Netratings; Internet Usage Crosses 10-Hour Mark for the First Time

Business Wire, Nov 15, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2000

The Internet ratings report for the month of October 2000 from Nielsen//NetRatings, the Internet audience measurement service from Nielsen Media Research, ACNielsen eRatings.com and NetRatings, Inc. (Nasdaq:NTRT), reports that Internet usage for the first time has crossed the 10 hour mark for U.S. home users, with users spending 23 percent more time online last month than a year ago. Internet users at home surfed an average of 10 hours and 4 minutes in October 2000, compared to 8 hours and 13 minutes in October 1999.

Page views per month also grew substantially over the past year. Last month, users viewed 720 pages per month, jumping 37 percent, compared to only 524 pages visited in October of 1999. Sites continued to offer broader and richer content, compelling surfers to spend more time and visit more pages at a site.

"As Internet content expands, sites are attracting and keeping surfers' attention longer through value-added services like free email, chat, and mobile messaging," said Allen Weiner, vice president of analytical services, NetRatings. "Even as people are spending more time online, they are predominantly visiting sites that provide a one-stop-shop for all of their needs."

Internet penetration continues to rise, with 54 percent of the U.S. population having access to the Web from home. Internet access peaked in October 2000 with nearly 150 million people having access, a 32 percent increase over the same time last year.

The two age groups leading this growth were youths and seniors. More than 17.5 million surfers ages 2-17 accessed the Internet last month, jumping 47 percent over the past year. Seniors 55 and over who accessed the Internet grew 38 percent over the past year, with more than 11.9 million seniors logging on in October 2000.

October Internet Audience Ratings

The following set of at-home and at-work information includes: Top 25 Web Properties, Top 25 Internet Advertisers, Top 10 Banner Ads and Average Web Usage statistics for the month of October 2000.