Hitwise Intelligence - Heather Hopkins - UK
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February 10, 2006
Google Desktop Growth
Google launched the beta version of Google Desktop this week and online news sources and blogs have been alight ever since debating privacy concerns. The Electronic Frontier Foundation stirred controversy by pointing out that one of the new features "Search Across Computers" may result in a consumer's computer files being stored on Google's own servers. The EFF "urges consumers not to use this feature, because it will make their personal data more vulnerable to subpoenas from the government and possibly private litigants, while providing a convenient one-stop-shop for hackers who've obtained a user's Google password."
The FT issued its own analysis today citing debate on several blogs around the trade off between the obvious value of the features and the privacy risk.
Hitwise data reveals that on 7th and 8th February, visits to desktop.google.com reached a high of .14% of all UK internet visits, indicating that the controversy is not dissuading UK internet users from finding out more about Google's latest offering. Yesterday (8th February 2006) visits reached their highest peak within the Hitwise Software category, capturing 2.78% of all UK internet visits within the category. Yesterday, the site ranked 6th among Software websites based on UK visits, indicating that the controversy might be boosting interest in the updated toolbar. I should mention that Hitwise captures visits to websites, so we can report on visits to the Google Desktop Search website, rather than to the downloaded software.
Interest in Google Desktop Search has been increasing rapidly over the past year. Year on year, visits had increased 55 times last week. The chart below illustrates the site's growth trajectory.
Also interesting, I checked what demographic and lifestyle profile of visitor is visiting the Google Desktop website and found no distinct pattern. Seems everyone - from all regions in the UK, all income groups and all age groups - is equally interested in Google Desktop Search.
Posted by Heather Hopkins at 08:35 AM
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Comments
The title of the graph says Sotware, missing an F.
But I've been loving your posts, great stuff.
If I had the money to drop on a hitwise subscription, I totally would.
Posted by: Dan Zarrella at February 10, 2006 10:02 AM
