Commentary

Male Boomers the Same Online or Off

Male Boomers the Same Online or Off

A special edition release from comScore includes a special feature on male baby boomers that indicates that many of the stereotypes about this audience are as true online as anywhere! The data are based on U.S. monthly Internet users at home and work, and notes that:

The Baby Boomer generation is one of the largest and most closely watched demographic groups. As it progresses through various life stages, this audience significantly impacts retail spending, home purchasing, healthcare and many other aspects of our society and economy.

In July 2002, comScore found that men age 35 to 54 comprised one-fifth (18 percent) of the total U.S. online population at home and work. The buying power of this group is well known to traditional marketers and is significant online as well. In August 2002, households headed by this group accounted for 26 percent of all U.S. consumer online dollar sales (excluding auctions and large corporate purchases).

It appears that many male stereotypes hold true online. Their interests often include cars, politics, finance, adult media and computers. Following are the top Web site categories, ranked according to the percentage (composition) of U.S. male visitors age 35 to 54.

Male Internet Users Online at Home & Work Age 35-54 (July, 2002)

 Comp.%Avg MinUnique Visitors
Total 18%1,78921,806,000
Finance-Online Trading32%524,066,000
Finance-News/Research29%669,895,000
Travel-Car Rental29%131,320,000
Auto-Manufacturer27%123,817,000
Entertainment-Radio27%172,792,000
Adult Content27%13512,188,000
Classifieds-Personals26%614,689,000
News-Politics26%222,032,000
Retail-Comp. Hardware26%337,547,000
Retail-Hotels/Resorts26%164,340,000

Following are a selection of Web sites and online networks that have a disproportionately high percentage (composition) of male visitors age 35 to 54, according to July 2002 data. Technology, science, finance and sports rule with this demographic target.

Male Internet Users Online at Home & Work Age 35-54 (July, 2002)

 Comp.%Unique Visitors (000)
IFRIENDS.NET43% 1,113
Ziff Davis Media41%1,078
IBM.COM39%1,101
CBS MarketWatch37%2,352
Yahoo! Finance34%3,264
FIDELITY.COM34%1,017
NASA.GOV34%1,100
CNNSI33%1,847
SPORTSLINE.COM33%1,908
IRS.GOV33%1,006
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