What Is the Internet Used For in 2024?
With an increasing number of internet users around the world, there’s no doubt that the online world is the best place to be marketing a business.
The internet is a wealth of information and using it opens up a world of endless possibilities. But with so many ways to market, knowing how and where to do so may be a challenge. To start, one of the most important questions you need to answer is: What is the internet used for?
Top uses of the internet: key takeaways
- Gathering information, be it in the form of staying up to date with news, finding inspiration for things to do, or getting to know new products and brands, is why most people use the internet.
- Finding information leads the list ranking the top uses of the internet. More than three in five (62.6%) internet users cite it as a reason they go online.
- Other top uses of the internet include listening to music, general browsing, and learning.
Uses of the internet: top 10
|
Reason to use the internet |
Percentage of internet users who list it as a reason they use the internet |
|
1. Finding information |
62.6% |
|
2. Staying in touch with friends and family |
60.1% |
|
3. Keeping up to date with news and events |
54.4% |
|
4. Watching videos, TV shows, or movies |
54.4% |
|
5. Researching how to do things |
50.6% |
|
6. Accessing and listening to music |
47.0% |
|
7. Finding new ideas or inspiration |
46.4% |
|
8. Filling up spare time and general browsing |
45.0% |
|
9. Researching products and brands |
44.8% |
|
10. Education and study-related purposes |
38.8% |
What is the internet used for: top 10 uses
1. Finding information (62.6%)
The latest data on the top uses of the internet shows that one of the primary uses of the internet is to find information, with more than three in five (62.6%) people worldwide listing it as a reason they go online. This can range from academic research and health advice to trivia and news updates. Popular search engines like Google are the most popular tools for information retrieval, with billions of searches conducted daily.
2. Staying in touch with friends and family (60.1%)
The internet also facilitates easy communication, allowing people to stay connected with loved ones regardless of geographical distance. This is why staying in touch with friends and family also ranks among the top uses of the internet, with 60.1% of internet users using it to do so.
Popular social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram are commonly used for this purpose. In fact, the number of people using social media has been increasing and is set to continue doing so. Projected at 5.17 billion social media users worldwide in 2024, this number is expected to exceed 6 billion by 2028.
3. Keeping up to date with news and events (54.4%)
The internet is a crucial source for news and current events, with 54.4% of global consumers saying it’s why they go online. Data shows that they’re not only visiting the websites of more traditional media outlets like CNN and the New York Times but also digital news platforms like Yahoo! News and Google News to stay informed about global happenings.
4. Watching videos, TV shows, or movies (54.4%)
Entertainment also ranks among the top uses of the internet: 54.4% of the global population uses it to watch videos, TV shows, and movies. There’s been an increase in demand for video streaming services over the past few years as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, streaming services like Netflix, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video provide a vast array of content, catering to diverse tastes and preferences.
5. Researching how to do things (50.6%)
Rounding out the top five uses of the internet is researching how to do things, which includes a wide range of activities from everyday tasks to specialized skills, with tutorials and how-to guides highly sought after online. Platforms like YouTube, Wikihow, and other informational blogs offer step-by-step instructions on a multitude of topics, from cooking recipes to DIY projects.
6. Accessing and listening to music (47%)
Music streaming has become one of the top uses of the internet. Platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube, which currently rank among the top music apps in 2024, allow users to access millions of songs from artists worldwide.
7. Finding new ideas or inspiration (46.4%)
The internet serves as a vast repository of ideas and inspiration. This is particularly true with social media sites like Pinterest and Instagram, which provide users with endless sources of inspiration for fashion, home decor, travel, and more.
8. Filling up spare time and general browsing (45%)
The internet offers endless possibilities for leisure and entertainment, making it a go-to for 45% of people going online. From browsing social media to reading blogs and watching videos, there’s no shortage of content to explore to fill up spare time.
9. Researching products and brands (44.8%)
As an ecommerce owner, it might interest you to know that as many as 44.8% of people worldwide turn to the internet to research products and brands. In fact, many of the top product discovery platforms are digital, such as social media ads, brand websites, and consumer review sites.
Before making a purchase, many consumers turn to the internet to research products and brands. Online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay provide a wide range of items backed by user reviews, helping buyers make informed decisions.
10. Education and study-related purposes (38.8%)
The internet plays a significant role in education and study-related activities, with 38.8% of users citing it as a primary reason for going online. This includes accessing online courses, researching academic content, and using digital libraries.
Platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and Khan Academy offer a variety of courses on countless subjects, allowing people to learn at their own pace and convenience. Additionally, educational institutions are increasingly adopting online tools for remote learning, making the internet indispensable for both students and teachers.