Auto manufacturers is top gaining US website category
comScore’s analysis of US web activity for March 2010 reveals that auto manufacturers ranked as the top-gaining site category for the month, up 23% to more than 30 million visitors.
Political sites grew 18% in March to 20.5 million visitors, while online trading sites grew 13% to 11.5 million unique visitors.
Jack Flanagan, executive vice president of comScore Media Metrix, said: “Auto manufacturers relied on incentives and promotions to boost sales before the end of the quarter, sending more Americans to research their purchases online prior to buying.
“As automakers compete in this challenging market, it is ever more important for consumers to research all of their options online before making these important purchase decisions.
“Americans also looked to stay abreast of the monumental healthcare bill negotiations in March by closely following political news and information online.”
| Total Unique Visitors (000) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb-10 | Mar-10 | % Change | |
| Total Internet : Total Audience | 209,749 | 212,593 | 1 |
| Automotive – Manufacturer | 24,554 | 30,268 | 23 |
| Community – Green | 18,773 | 22,615 | 20 |
| News/Information – Politics | 17,410 | 20,523 | 18 |
| Retail – Tickets | 23,618 | 27,007 | 14 |
| Business/Finance – Online Trading | 10,218 | 11,533 | 13 |
| Services – Downloads | 77,108 | 86,949 | 13 |
| Travel – Car Rental | 5,297 | 5,954 | 12 |
| Retail – Fragrances/Cosmetics | 13,434 | 14,956 | 11 |
| Travel – Transactions | 3,854 | 4,287 | 11 |
| Retail – Toys | 16,618 | 18,459 | 11 |
In separate research published earlier this month, comScore revealed that more than 174 million US internet users watched online video during February.