Are you surfing to be amused or searching for information?

The Pew Internet and American Life Project suggests that approximately 30 percent (40 million) of Internet users were surfing for fun in December of 2005. This figure is 60 percent more than the 25 million Internet users reported in the 2004 Pew Internet Project.

Internet users with broadband as well as young adults reported surfing the Internet without a specific purpose. Senior citizens and users with dial-up connections conveyed that they go on the Internet for specific reasons (although they also admit to pleasure surfing).

It appears the Internet has gone from a tool for specific purposes-- searching for information, reading the news, shopping online, visiting a website or sending email--to an actual destination for fun.

The reason is two-pronged, according to Pew:

... broadband access in their homes and a growing body of content and applications on the web.

If Internet users are surfing, visiting and socializing on the web, what does this mean for Internet marketing and online advertising?

Tags: Internet marketing, online advertising, Pew Internet, pleasure surfing, Internet as entertainment, advertising for success

Behavioral Targeting and Search Engine Marketing Hybrid

Danielle Leitch of MoreVisibility, a search engine marketing firm, speaks with authority about click-through rate and behavioral targeting (BT):

On MSN and Google, and to some extent, Yahoo, your click-through rate ... determine your positioning ... the more qualified the searcher to the ad, the higher the likelihood they will click...

Read the complete interview in Behavioral Insider.

According to Ms. Leitch, all benefits from behavioral targeting will flow to the advertiser. However, consumers will have faster access to more relevant information...finally!

Increased efficiency in the search process will bring increased services to consumers. Like what? Read about virtual travel planning and tourism services on USAer Blog.

Tags: search engine marketing, behavioral targeting, internet, MSN, MoreVisibility,

How to Market to Marketers? No Phone Calls, No Meetings, No Hype!

The Marketing and Technology Survey found that over 70 percent of the marketers surveyed absolutely, positively, do not want to listen to sales pitches over the telephone. Over 57 percent do not want to meet in person and 63 percent do not want to attend a group presentation.

Most marketers prefer Internet-based presentations and links to more information on the web or by e-mail.

Freely provide the information you wish to share. RSS feeds, email updates, and downloads and on-demand presentations on your website will gather more goodwill than any telephone call, group meeting or personal presentation.

Tags: marketing, marketing and technology survey, do not call