According to Nielsen Netratings, the total number of search queries to around 60 search engines in the USA increased 55% from December 2004 compared to December 2005 - thats an increase from 3.3 billion searches to over 5 billion!

Google continues to increase market share - gaining an added 5.7% during the 12 month period surveyed. Yahoo and MSN lost ground, but Yahoo’s losses appear to be leveling out - only a -.3% drop. MSN lost 3% of market share.

The other interesting point from the survey is that although the top three engines gained or lost share in the 12 months, what increased dramatically for all three is the number of searches.

For instance, MSN experienced the biggest loss of the three, but the number of searches carried out in Dec. 05 on MSN was 20% more than December 04. Google experienced query growth of 75% and Yahoo 50%.

More people using search and searching more often; once again demonstrating how integral search is becoming to life in an online world.

Read more of the Nielsen Netratings search engine report

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