November 16, 2004
Pew Internet Report on Instant Messaging
Recent Pew Internet & American Life surveys reveal that more than four in ten online Americans instant message (IM). About 11 million of them IM at work and they are becoming fond of its capacity to encourage productivity and interoffice cooperation. At the same time, IM usage varies widely across different age groups. Instant messengers utilize IM not only as a way to expand and remain connected their social circle, but also as a form of self-expression.
- 42% of internet users—more than 53 million American adults—report using instant messaging. There has been modest growth in the overall IM population since the Project first started tracking it in April 2000. At that point, about 41 million adults used IM, so the growth rate of the IM population is around 29%.
- On a typical day, 12% of internet users (or 29% of those who use IM) instant
message with others. That translates into just under 13 million people using IM on any given day and constitutes a growth rate of about 9% since April 2000.
It is interesting to note that although most internet users favor email over IM as a form of communication, nearly a quarter of IM users say they instant message more than they email.
- 24% of those 54 million IM users report using IM more frequently than email
- 6% of IM users say they use IM as much as they use email.
- 70% report using email more than instant messaging
- 36% of IM users say they use IM every day
- 63% say they use IM at least several times a week
The complete report (pdf) is available at the Pew Internet & American Life Project
Posted by rsk at November 16, 2004 11:01 PM