The comScore Media Metrix qSearch service measures search-specific traffic on the internet. qSearch data is gathered by monitoring the web activities of 1.5 million English-speakers worldwide (1 million in the United States) via proxy metering.
Proxy metering allows comScore to see exactly how those within its panel have surfed the web. From this data, the company then extracts activity that’s considered to be specifically search-related.
Below are figures about searching from qSearch figures released to the public.
Share Of Searches: July 2006
The pie chart below shows the percentage of searches done by US web surfers at home, work and at universities in July 2006 that were performed at a particular web site or a network of web sites:
The qSearch figures are search-specific but not necessarily web-search specific. For example, a search performed at Yahoo Sports would count toward Yahoo’s overall total. Also note that some companies own more than one web site. This means searches at different sites may be combined into one overall figure for the company’s entire network. Here’s a rundown with more details about this:
- Google: Shows searches at any Google-owned web site such as Google.com or Google Image Search.
- Yahoo: Shows searches at any Yahoo-owned web site including those of AltaVista, AllTheWeb and Overture. May show searches at some Google partners that show Google’s domain in the URLs of their search results, as happens with Go.com.
- MSN: Shows searches at any MSN-operated web site such as MSN Search.
- AOL: Shows searches at any Time Warner-owned web site, including AOL Search and Netscape Search.
- Ask: Shows searches at Ask and any site within the Ask-owned Excite Network, including Excite, iWon, MyWay.com and My Web Search.
- Other: Shows searches that occur at other search sites.
Share Of Searches Trend
The chart below shows how the share of searches has changed over the past year.
More Resources
ComScore Launches Search Engine Tracking System
From our SearchDay newsletter, this April 29, 2003 article explains the launch of comScore’s new service.
Past Media Metrix Search Engine Ratings
Available to Search Engine Watch members. comScore purchased Media Metrix in 2002. That company, using a different measuring system, had released search engine ratings for years. This page shows past search engine ratings from Media Metrix that were featured on Search Engine Watch for selected months since 1997. Click here to learn more about becoming a member.
Search Engine Ratings & Reviews
See this page for other Search Engine Watch pages that provide figures on search engine popularity in the United States and around the world.
Search Topics: Stats
This category of the Search Topics area available to Search Engine Watch members provides a listing of articles stretching back for years relating to search engine statistics. The Stats: Popularity subcategory specifically lists stories about how search engines are ranked. The Stats: comScore subcategory provides a rundown on news specifically about comScore statistics. Click here to learn more about becoming a member.