The total number of American internet users passed the 150 million mark for the first time ever in September, according to the latest figures from comScore Media Metrix.
The online research group claims that the number of people online in the US increased by 0.8% last month while the resumption of university studies helped boost the amount of time spent online by 3%.
comScore claims that there are now 150.045 million internet users in the States. This tallies with eMarketer’s estimate of 148.9 million. Nielsen//NetRatings puts the figure at 135.1 million but does not include university students in its total.
“In September, a number of events impacted Americans’ use of the internet, including Hurricane Isabel, the kickoff of the NFL season and students returning to school,” said Peter Daboll, president of comScore Media Metrix. “That this medium has now crossed a threshold of 150 million users is a reminder that while it continues to mature, the web also continues to expand its reach among the total US population every day.”
| Total Minutes Spent Online In US – September 2003 |
| |
|
|
| Location |
Minutes (m) |
Share (%) |
| Home |
140,337 |
57.5 |
| Work |
83,713 |
34.3 |
| University |
20,071 |
8.2 |
| Total |
244,121 |
100.0 |
| Source: comScore Media Metrix, October 2003 |
