On Search Secrets and Habits
November 4, 2013
A graphic-heavy piece at Search Engine Watch examines “The Secrets Online Searchers Keep [Study].” The write-up examines a recent survey from Ask.com which collected data on consumer search habits. What was that about secrets? Writer Jessica Lee reports:
“What they found out was nearly two-thirds of Americans said they’ve had something to hide with past online searches, with the majority being men and young adults. But what are they hiding, and who are they hiding it from? Research revealed medical conditions were among the top-secret searches, and spouses, adult family members, friends, children, and work colleagues were those left in the dark. Those keeping online activity secret from work mates might be concerned about what they’re doing online on the clock. Sixteen percent said they looked for another job while at work, and 36 percent said they shopped.”
Medical issues, financial issues, buying habits. . . there are many legitimate reasons to obscure research that is none of anyone else’s business. I wonder, though, how the survey presented the who-are-you-hiding-from question. I’d have thought insurance companies, financial institutions, and other corporate entities would have ranked high on the list. Perhaps not enough people yet know companies are collecting this data on us. Or, maybe they just asked about cache-clearing, not about seeking out search engines that refuse to share our data. (While we’re on the subject, I’m beginning to wonder if we are now past respecting privacy for privacy’s sake. It almost seems that a desire to keep one’s own council today implies something shady. But I digress.)
Regarding other search habits, the study also found that 28 percent of those surveyed admitted to searching from their mobile devices while, um, indisposed. Eleven percent even copped to searching while behind the wheel. Lee turns to another study performed this year from Pew Research, which reports on a different search habit—more than half of us (56 percent) have googled ourselves. Simply prudent, if you ask me. Pew respondents were more likely to have “self-searched” if under 50, educated, and possessed of high income.
It is no surprise that search is becoming more and more a part of our lives. Can today’s students imagine what it was like before the world’s knowledge arrived at our fingertips?
Cynthia Murrell, November 04, 2013
Sponsored by ArnoldIT.com, developer of Augmentext
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3 Responses to “On Search Secrets and Habits”
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