47% of time spent on the Web is viewing content, 33% on communications tools

Nielsen/NetRatings tracked a 37% increase in amount of time spent viewing content such as online videos or news, surpassing a 35% rise in using search engines. Viewing content accounts for 47% of time spent online in 2007, up from 34% in 2003. Web search accounted for 5% of time spent online in 2007 from 3% in 2003. Time spent on e-commerce sites fell 5% and accounted for 15% of time spent in 2007. Time spent on communications tools fell 28% to 33% of time spent online in 2007, down from 46% in 2003.