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Survey Says Internet Users Confuse Search Results, Ads

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the googling-for-yahoos dept.

irishdaze writes "ABC News is reporting that apparently only 18% of adult web searchers can tell the difference between actual search results and advertisements. In addition to this astounding conclusion, the Pew Internet and American Life Project's survey of 2,200 adults (only 1,399 of which are actual internet users, mind you) also indicates that 92% of web searchers feel they are confident in their own searching abilities."

5 of 338 comments (clear)

  1. Survey Says Irishdaze Confused By Math by Some+guy+named+Chris · · Score: 5, Insightful

    92% of web searchers

    Dude, relax. They are saying they interviewed 2200 adults. A certain percentage of those reported they were web searchers (probably somewhere near that 1399 number you quoted). Then, of that number, 90% of THEM feel confident in their own searching abilities.

    In other words, nothing to see here, move along. Still, it's more fun to blame Pew than your own analytical skills.

  2. submitter is confused by Anarchos · · Score: 5, Insightful

    "When I do the math, 92% of 2200 is 2024. This means that Pew/Internet is saying that more people are confident with their web searching skills than actually use the Internet. Saying that something is wrong here just doesn't cover it."

    The article says "92% of web searchers" not 92% of the respondents. Only 1399 respondents used the internet, and it is possible that some of those don't do web searches. The submitter of this article is an idiot.

    --

    "A good conspiracy is an unprovable one." -Conspiracy Theory
  3. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by cayenne8 · · Score: 5, Insightful
    I dunno...I think it says the average person, is an idiot. And, if you've ever had to work retail or food service while growing up...this will confirm that this is true. And NOT just with computer use...

    :-)

    --
    Light travels faster than sound. This is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.........
  4. Re:Nothing for you to see here. Please move along. by anonicon · · Score: 4, Insightful

    "I think it says the average person, is an idiot."

    Yes-indeedee, you are correct. Hopefully, with the proliferation of braindead, thought-numbing programming like "Survivor," "Who's My Daddy," and "The Bachelorette," more marginal cases will slide down the tube that precludes them from ever having to think critically, thus freeing up salary and promotion space for the rest of us.

    >;-)

  5. Re:How could anyone be confused? by Mistlefoot · · Score: 4, Insightful

    This is also a "phone survey". Asking someone whether or not they know the difference is not the same as them knowing the difference.