When exciting new research landed from TNS, we thought we'd share it
straight away rather than wait till the end of the month. Here are the
topline points, with more on research and announcements from the global
giants that caught our eye over the last two weeks.
Digital Life is a global study into people's online behaviour. TNS
interviewed around 50,000 people from over 45 countries to explore the
different ways internet behaviours are evolving. They used consistent
questions and built an interactive dashboard that lets you compare the
data.
Other stories we've been tracking include the race to TV (launches from
Google and Apple), UK online adspend rising 10% (to just under £2bn in
the first half of 2010), YouTube winning the copyright case in Spain,
and in Antarctica Google's Streetview making its debut.
As you plan your 2011 digital strategy, let us know if you need more on
any of these areas, or support from the management coaches at the
Digital Training Academy to ensure you choose the right digital channels
for your audience.
Best from all @ Digital
Danny Meadows-Klue
Founder and Chief Executive
Digital Strategy Consulting |
Digital Life study
www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence |
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Global
digital access by region
Daily online access by region - among those who have access.
China and Saudi have most enthusiastic internet users
China and Saudi came top in their enthusiasm for online use, in a
massive global study from TNS. 48,000 people were interviewed in 46
countries in one of the largest online market research exercises ever
conducted. People in China are among the most receptive to online
marketing through social networks while those in Africa are most eager
to use the internet for learning. Egypt, Saudi Arabia and China topped
the list, with about 55 per cent "highly engaged". Around 42% of users
in the UK and US were "highly engaged" with the web.
11/10/2010
61% of internet uses are online daily
Among people with internet access worldwide 61% access daily. 54%
watch TV daily vs. 36% listening to the radio and 32% read papers.
High social networkers but fewer friends
Here in the UK, we index among the highest worldwide in digital use,
with over 80% of people having access, an average age among internet
users of 39, high use of social media, though relatively fewer
contacts than Asian markets. Email remains top in importance of use,
with 47% of people claiming it as their number one use of the net.
Social networking tops email by share of time in Latin America, Middle
East and China.
Full research findings
Digital Life from TNS is a global study into people's online
behaviour. TNS interviewed around 50,000 people from over 45 countries
to explore the different ways internet behaviours are evolving. They
used consistent questions and built an interactive dashboard that lets
you compare the data.
http://discoverdigitallife.com
Digital Life study: Chinese use web twice as much as Americans
People in China and the Middle East use the web far more than their
Western counterparts, according to 'the largest ever' global study of
online habits. The Digital Life study by global research firm TNS also
found Malaysians are the most sociable online with an average of 233
friends on social media websites, while the Japanese are the least
friendly with just 29.
Keep reading...
11/10/2010
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Trends
www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence |
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Desktop search falls 15% year-on-year as users move to mobile search
Search and social conversion agency Tamar has published a white paper, called Mobile 2010, showing that desktop/laptop search has fallen by 15% while mobile search engine traffic has seen an increase of 247% in the past year.
Keep reading...
11/10/2010
Internet Explorer use drops below 50% for first time
Internet Explorer's share of the worldwide browser market has dropped below 50 per cent, according to new data. According to StatCounter findings, in September, the Microsoft browser's market share was 49.87 per cent - down from 58 per cent this time last year.
Keep reading...
08/10/2010
Most US toddlers 'have established online presence before they are 2'
Over nine in ten (92%) of American mothers share information about their children online, according to new research. The study, commissioned by information-security company AVG and carried out by Research Now, surveyed 2,200 mothers of young children in US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Japan for a week in September.
Keep reading...
08/10/2010
BT poll to find UK's top 5 Internet 'not-spots'
BT is to map the demand for broadband across the country, and give the five keenest areas an upgrade by 2012. The move will give the opportunity to communities deprived of high-speed web access the chance to get investment from the telecoms firm.
Keep reading...
05/10/2010
Future of Search: Google boss sees 'augmented humanity'
Google CEO Eric Schmidt has outlined his company's ideas for the future of search technology, where we are never lonely, never forget anything, never get lost, never run out of ideas, are never bored and never need to drive a car because it will drive itself. Speaking at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco, Schmidt outlined a vision of the future where computers will be able to suggest useful information based on past preferences, the location of the user and the time of day. He said: "We are at one of those points in technology where something interesting is about to happen. We're building an augmented version of humanity - getting computers to help us do the things we are not very good at and have humans helping computers do the things they're not very good at."
Keep reading...
04/10/2010
Top brands named and shamed for web design tricks
Top brands have been accused of using tricks to deceive web users as part of a new campaign set up by a web design consultant. Harry Brignull has set up the website Dark Patterns to expose the secrets that go behind website design and the use of intentionally misdirected elements to 'force' users to click on something they usually won't.
Keep reading...
02/10/2010
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Social networking
www.digitaltrainingacademy.com/socialmedia |
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Top 10
Facebook games
Ranked by daily active users (millions).
Top 10
games providers on Facebook
Dominance of major social gaming players on Facebook.
The short lifespan of a Tweet: Two-thirds of Twitter messages are ignored
Over two-thirds of comments on Twitter go without response, with the first hour being critical to a Tweet's lifespan, according to new research. Sysomos, maker of social media analysis tools, researched 1.2 billion tweets over two months and reported results that appeared less than influential on a worldwide scale.
Keep reading...
12/10/2010
Frequent Facebook users 'more likely to lose friends'
People who spend the most hours on Facebook are the most likely to be "defriended" on the social networking site, according to new research. Researchers from Colorado University found that friends' frequent posts about nothing in particular were most likely to lead to a severing of online ties. This was followed by comments about polarising topics like religion and politics.
Keep reading...
08/10/2010
Facebook adds 'Groups' and archive tools
Facebook has unveiled several new features on its social network, including one that makes it easier for its 500 million members to separate online friendships into groups and another that lets them archive personal information posted on the website. The new grouping feature is designed to share comments, photos and other links with others based on relationships and interests. For instance, you can now group Facebook friends by family, work, sports teams and college.
Keep reading...
07/10/2010
Twitter drops Earlybird deals to launch 'Promoted Accounts'
Twitter has introduced its latest efforts to monetize its popular micro-blogging platform,, with a new scheme called Promoted Accounts that will let companies pay to be included in Twitter's "Who to Follow" lists. The company also said it will phase out its @earlybird deal feed in
favour of its promoted products platform.
Keep reading...
02/10/2010
Experts trump celebs as top Twitter influencers
While many celebrities might have millions of people following their lives on the web, the most influential Tweeters are actually less known "experts", according to new research. Researchers at Northwestern University in the US have used new technology to sift through the tens of millions of tweets sent each day on the micro-blogging website to pinpoint the most influential people on the hot topic of the day.
Keep reading...
02/10/2010
YouTube wins Spanish copyright case
A Spanish federal court has dismissed copyright infringement charges against Google's YouTube that could have brought the online video service to a halt by forcing it to monitor every piece of content.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
Facebook to go public in 2012?
Facebook is likely to go public sometime after late 2012, in what is likely to be one of the most highly anticipated initial public offerings of the decade. Speaking to Reuters, Facebook board member, venture capitalist and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel said the flotation on the stock exchange is likely to happen in late 2012.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
Facebook to forge Web phone deal with Skype?
Facebook is trying to work out a deal to integrate Skype's Internet phone service into the social network's site, according to reports. Citing unnamed sources, The Wall Street Journal reports that the deal is expected to be announced in the next few weeks, would enable Facebook users to have a voice chat and video chat with their Facebook friends using Skype services.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
VideoEgg buys Six Apart to create 'conversational' media firm
Online ad network VideoEgg has bought blogging network Six Apart for an undisclosed sum, forming a new media firm SAY Media. Going live this week, Say Media will specialise in creating "conversational and interactive." advertising campaigns, with the combined company reaching 345 million global unique visitors.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
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Mobile
www.DigitalTrainingAcademy.com/mobilemarketing |
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Top 5
smartphone operating systems
Global market share, 2010 forecast.
Most
downloaded mobile apps
Among those who report downloading an app in the last 30 days.
Orange and T-Mobile customers share coverage with 'Everything Everywhere' brand launch
Orange and T- Mobile have finally unveiled their 'Everything Everywhere' brand, following the merger of the two mobile networks last year. The launch, dubbed the 'big switch-on' allows the company's combined 27 million customers to access coverage on both networks, and is backed by a £4m advertising campaign.
Keep reading...
12/10/2010
Android apps 'secretly sharing user data'
Some of the most popular apps written for Google's Android phones do not tell users what is done with data they gather, according to a new study. The research, conducted by a team of computer scientists from Intel Labs, Penn State, and Duke University chose 30 out of the 358 most popular Android apps that, when installed, ask for permission to get at location, camera and audio data.
Keep reading...
05/10/2010
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Accelerating Digital Brands: Could we help your team achieve more?
www.DigitalTrainingAcademy.com/skillsassessment |
It's never mattered more. The web, search,
email and social media have become the critical tools every firm has
to get right. Yet most digital strategies deliver less than half their
potential. Why?
We've spent ten years helping agencies, brands, business services and
governments find the right digital strategy for them. From building
new online entertainment sites to finding new ways to connect with
customers, we're front-line practitioners who share our knowledge and
skills with others.
Not only do we help companies get this right we also coach their teams
to build their knowledge and intuition. Email the trainers at
Admissions@DigitalTrainingAcademy.com. |
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Advertising
www.DigitalStrategyConsulting.com/intelligence |
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Video ads: Branding campaigns work online... eventually
New research into online video ads shows that consumers want to investigate brands in their own time, and are more open to receiving ads around quality video content. The results of a year-long study from Sky and the Internet Advertising Bureau - the trade body for digital advertising - reveal the true branding effectiveness of online video, showing how consumers prefer to 'store' advertising information, rather than clicking-through immediately.
Keep reading...
07/10/2010
UK online ad spend up 10%: Video and social media lead way for growth
The money spent on internet ads in the UK increased 10% in the first half of this year, with advertisers spending a total of nearly £2bn on the medium, according to new data. The study, from the IAB and Price Waterhouse Coopers , found that video and social advertising fuelled online display's return to growth, while the FMCG and Entertainment sectors ramped up investment to become two of the biggest spenders in the sector.
Keep reading...
05/10/2010
Nielsen debuts 'TV ratings-style' online ad metrics
The Nielsen Company has unveiled a new tool that will give online advertisers audience or viewer data, similar to that given in television ratings. The research firm will combine data provided by online partners, including Facebook, with representative panel data to develop a Gross Rating Points (GRP) score for individual ads.
Keep reading...
02/10/2010
Top brands 'spamming customers with unsolicited emails'
More than two in five (44 percent) of firms automatically 'opt-in' customers for marketing emails, rather than letting them decide if they want to receive the emails, according to new data. The study, from Spam Ratings, singled out PC World, B&Q and, the Arcadia Group among the firms guilty of this.
Keep reading...
02/10/2010
AOL's 'Project Devil' offers new ad system for brands
AOL launched a new online advertising system that it hopes will transform the way advertisers reach consumers on the Internet. Titled "Project Devil," the system offers advertisers cleaner ad formats than before and more utility, such as the locations of local car dealers.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
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Broadcasting
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Google preps TV launch with media content deals
Google has secured new content partnership deals with media and internet companies, including NBC Universal's CNBC, Time Warner's HBO and Amazon, for its forthcoming Google TV service. Turner Broadcasting is working to optimise some of its websites for viewing on Google TV, including CNN and Cartoon Network, Google said on Monday.
Keep reading...
06/10/2010
Apple TV gadget goes on sale in UK for £99
Apple has launched its much anticipated TV device in the UK this week, letting users stream films from its online store direct to their TV sets. Apple TV costs £99, and the device plugs directly into TVs to stream films as well as play music from an iPad, which can act as a remote control for the box.
Keep reading...
05/10/2010
TV catch up sites: BBC's iPlayer tops usability list, Sky Player comes last
The BBC offers viewers the most usable Video on Demand (VoD) / catch up TV website with its iPlayer service, while Sky's Sky Player service fails to match other broadcasters in terms of usability, according to new findings released today.
Keep reading...
04/10/2010
YouView accused of harming investment in web TV industry
UK online TV platform YouView, previously known as project canvas, has
dismissed claims it will damage investment in the fledgling UK IPTV
market. YouView, the on-demand TV service backed by BBC ITV, BT and
Channel 4, is set to launch as a beta test in the first quarter of
next year. The site aims to bring video-on-demand programming and
services to Freeview and Freesat.
Keep reading...
02/10/2010
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Companies making the news
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Google's 'driverless' cars complete US roadtrip- with a little help from humans
Google has developed cars that can drive themselves, testing seven such automobiles on 140,000 miles across the roads of America, in a move that could one day revolutionise the transport industry. Google said that the seven Google cars have driven 1,000 miles without any human intervention, apparently the 140,000 mile number includes occasional human control. These cars are a modified version of the Toyota Prius, and there is one Audi TT as well.
Keep reading...
11/10/2010
Microsoft launches Windows 7 smartphone range
Microsoft is gearing up to unveil its new Windows Phone 7 operating system and a compatible range of devices at a New York event today, as the software giant looks to take on the likes of Apple's iPhone and Google's Android in the fast growing smartphone market.
Keep reading...
11/10/2010
Ethnic marketing firm Indoor Media bought by Komli
Digital Ethnic marketing firm Indoor Media has been acquired by Komli Media, Asia Pacific's leading digital media network platform. The deal marks Komli's second acquisition since June, as it aggressively expands its international operations.
Keep reading...
08/10/2010
Google tests full-page previews in search results
Google is testing a preview pane tool that lets users see a sample of the pages returned in search results, before deciding to click through to their chosen site. When users hover over a search result, Google will display a preview of the entire website.
Keep reading...
07/10/2010
Dennis Publishing buys Web User magazine from IPC
IPC Media has sold its popular internet magazine Web User to Dennis Publishing, for an undisclosed sum. The move comes as part of the review of IPC Media's niche and specialist titles.
Keep reading...
06/10/2010
CCTV site lets public snoop on criminals for £1,000 reward
Internet Eyes, a new website which pays the public to monitor live commercial CCTV footage online is set to be launched in Devon. The site will pay up to £1,000 to subscribers who regularly report suspicious activity such as shoplifting.
Keep reading...
05/10/2010
Google buys BlindType to boost mobile touch typing
Google has acquired BlindType, a company that specialises in touch typing software for mobile devices, to boost the company's Android mobile operating system. The BlindType system aims to solve the problems of typing on small touch screens, buy creating self-learning technology that constantly adjusts to the user's 'perceived' keyboard and typing style. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Keep reading...
05/10/2010
Google launches image format WebP to rival JPEG
Google has launched a new image format, called WebP, which the company claims will result in smaller file sizes for commonly shared small image files, in
a move that could threaten the dominance of the popular JPEG image format used across the Web. According to Google, photos and other images make up about 65 percent of all content accessed via the Web, and therefore all Web traffic.
Keep reading...
04/10/2010
Google Street View comes to Antarctica
Google has launched its ground-level mapping service in the world's most barren continent - Antarctica. The move will allow Google users to navigate around the snow-capped mountains, coastline and icebergs of Antarctica - a place that few people ever get to visit in person.
Keep reading...
04/10/2010
Sony to launch first 'Google TV' set in October
Sony is to unveil what it bills as "the world's first internet television" on 12 October in New York, with built in support for Google's much anticipated TV service. Running on the Android operating system, the TV will also support third party apps. Technology site Electronista adds that the device will have a full Chrome browser and Flash support.
Keep reading...
02/10/2010
Blackberry unveils iPad rival 'Playbook'
Blackberry maker Research In Motion unveiled its much anticipated tablet computer that it hopes will challenge Apple's iPad . The tablet, named BlackBerry PlayBook, has a seven-inch screen and dual facing cameras.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
AOL buys TechCrunch in '$40m deal'
AOL has bought TechCrunch for a reported amount of $40 million, as the struggling Internet giant looks to boost its audience and ad revenue with one of the most influential blogs in the technology industry. AOL Chief Executive Tim Armstrong joined TechCrunch founder Michael Arrington onstage Tuesday to make the announcement at the TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
Blockbuster files for bankruptcy protection as online rivals soar
Blockbuster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US, as the one-time market leader in DVD rentals struggles to keep up with online competition such as Netflix and LoveFilm. The move will mean Blockbuster will be able to keep its stores and kiosks open as it reorganises.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
Sportingbet settles US inquiry with $33m forfeit
UK online gambling firm Sportingbet has agreed to pay $33m (£21m) to settle a US investigation over alleged illegal internet gambling, US prosecutors said.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
AOL UK launches women's lifestyle site MyDaily
AOL UK has launched MyDaily, a new destination site for women, as the company looks to boost its consumer and advertising services. MyDaily UK joins AOL's portfolio of content networks, as part of its strategy to become the 'world's largest content creator'. The site features numerous formats for advertisers.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
Bing-Yahoo alliance to hike up search ad prices?
Search advertisers could soon be paying up to 78 per cent more on the Bing search engine's cost-per-click (CPC) ads for top branded keywords, according to a new study. The study, from ad media company GroupM Search, attributed the hike in prices to Bing-owner Microsoft integrating Yahoo Search onto its own search platform.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
AOL renews Google search deal for 5 years
AOL has renewed a search agreement with Google, continuing a decade-long partnership between the two online giants. The new five-year deal includes a revenue share on a per-search basis. AOL can also place its content on YouTube with both camps sharing ad revenue placed against the video.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
Google launches new site to showcase its latest products
Google has launched a new website, called 'Google New', showcasing its latest ventures, alongside information about all of its products. Google New brings together all the latest information about Google products including web search, Gmail, Google Earth and Google Maps.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
Bing and Yahoo searches account for 33% of US queries
Last month, organic searches conducted on Yahoo were migrated to Microsoft's search engine. While the transition happened mid-month and B2B online marketers won't be sure exactly what effect the transition has had on SEO campaigns, recent comScore reports indicate the two search engines combined accounted for one-third of queries.
Keep reading...
01/10/2010
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