Australians socialize, Americans shop

An international study into the habits of Internet users has thrown up some interesting comparisons between Australians, Britons and Americans.

by Helen Leggatt

Recent research from Hitwise has found Australian Internet users are more likely to be involved in social networking and informing themselves than taking the wallet for a walk. Meanwhile, in the U.K. and the U.S., online shopping came in above social networking.

During the week ending February 9, 2008, just 5.93% of all online visits by Australians were to shopping sites whereas in the U.S. and Britain that figure rose to 9.54% and 9.61 percent respectively.

Instead of shopping, it would seem Australians prefer to socialize, with MySpace and Facebook being the fourth and seventh most popular websites in the country. Eight percent of all online visits by Australians are spent on a social networking site, almost double the U.S. figure of 3.97% and higher than the U.K.’s 4.63%.

Tags: America, Australia, education, media, online shopping, social networking, United Kingdom