Online Communities

11/09/2001

Online communities, e-villages, online groups -- 84% of US internet users have contacted some sort of online group in 2001.

According to the latest report from Pew Internet & American Life Project, 84% of US internet users have contacted some sort of online group in 2001. Pew refers to these people as "cyber groupies" and says that 60% have sent or received e-mail messages with the group or its members. Though 76% say they have sent their group e-mails to get general group news or information, 49% say they do so to create or maintain relationships with its members.

Pew surveyed 3,002 adults (ages 18 and older) between January and February 2001 -- 1,697 of which were internet users. Pew says that although membership in traditional groups in the US like the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) of the public school system is waning, virtual groups are hot -- 56% of internet users joined their groups after beginning communications with them online. Trade associations or professional groups are popular with 21% of all cyber groupies.

The idea of online communities is indeed intriguing to US internet users. Nielsen//NetRatings found that in May 2001, online search engines, portals and communities represented the top "e-category" among wired households with a 92.4% reach.

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Source of Article: eMarketer

Date of Article: November 6, 2001