E-Commerce

An at-a-glance guide to how different generations of online Americans use the internet.

Major trends in how different generations of Americans use the internet

Lee Rainie gave a keynote to the iMedia Agency Summit for ad executives. It explored the new media ecololgy and how it has changed customer behavior and expectations.

58% of Americans have researched a product or service online; 24% have posted comments or reviews online about the things they buy.

Senior research staff answer questions from readers relating to all the areas covered by our seven projects, ranging from polling techniques and findings, to media, technology, religious, demographic and global attitudes trends.

Social media and mobile internet use among teens and young adults.

Two thirds of online Americans say they have purchased a product online, such as a book, toy, music or clothing.

The number of online adults who use classified ads websites, such as Craigslist, more than doubled from 2005 to 2009.

The internet plays an important role in how people conduct research for purchases, but it is just one among a variety of sources people use and usually not the key factor in final purchasing decisions.

Most internet users view online shopping as convenient and a time-saver. At the same time, they worry about the security of sending their credit card information over the internet.