Nielsen has issued a year-end look at the most popular trends among Americans during 2008, covering everything from the top TV programs to the most popular consumer packaged goods.
Google was the most popular website with U.S. Internet users, drawing the largest audience (120 million unique visitors per month, on average) through October 2008.
As of 2008, the most prolific content downloaders in the U.S. live in California, according to Scarborough Research, a joint partnership with Nielsen and Arbitron. The San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose market had the highest percentage (32%) of adults who had downloaded podcasts, video games, music/other audio clips, movies, videos, or TV programs in the past month. The San Diego and Austin, Texas markets tied for a close second place (31%). Nationwide, 24% of adults have downloaded online content in the past month.
Top 10 Websites: U.S.
| Rank | Brand | Average Monthly Unique Audience (000) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 120,498 | |
| 2 | Yahoo! | 114,872 |
| 3 | MSN/Windows Live | 98,414 |
| 4 | Microsoft | 95,479 |
| 5 | AOL Media Network | 90,193 |
| 6 | YouTube | 72,623 |
| 7 | Fox Interactive Media | 68,780 |
| 8 | eBay | 54,680 |
| 9 | Wikipedia | 54,505 |
| 10 | Apple | 49,303 |
| Source: The Nielsen Company (January – October, 2008). |
Top U.S. Markets For Content Downloaders
| Rank | Market | % Adults Who Downloaded Online Content In Past Month |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose DMA | 32% |
| 2 | San Diego DMA | 31% |
| 3 | Austin DMA | 31% |
| 4 | Washington, D.C. DMA | 30% |
| 5 | Salt Lake City DMA | 29% |
| 6 | Syracuse DMA | 29% |
| 7 | Phoenix DMA | 28% |
| 8 | Columbus DMA | 28% |
| 9 | Seattle/Tacoma DMA | 28% |
| 10 | Norfolk/Portsmouth/Newport News DMA | 28% |
| National Average | 24% | |
| Source: Scarborough Research, Scarborough USA+ Release 1 2008. | ||
| “Note: “”Content Downloaders”” are defined as adults who downloaded any of the following online during the past 30 days: podcasts, video games, music/other audio clips, movies, other video, or TV programs. |
View the press release.
Relive the greatest hits of 2008 — stay tuned on Nielsen Wire for more Tops In 2008 coverage.
Look ahead to the new year with Nielsen Wire’s 2009 Industry Outlook series.
