The comScore monthly analysis of U.S. Web activity for March 2010 reports that auto manufacturers ranked as the top-gaining site category in March, growing 23% to more than 30 million visitors, as potential buyers researched vehicle options online. Automaker discounts and incentives compelled millions of Americans to visit auto manufacturer sites to seek information and investigate possible purchases.
General Motors led the category with 7.6 million visitors, up 32% during the month:
Jack Flanagan, executive vice president of comScore Media Metrix, said "Auto manufacturers relied on incentives and promotions to boost sales before the end of the quarter, sending more Americans to research their purchases online prior to buying... "
Political news and information sites also saw sizeable gains in traffic as Americans tuned into the debate over passage of the congressional healthcare bill, growing 18% in March to 20.5 million visitors:
As the stock market continued to rebound in March, says the report, so did traffic to Online Trading sites, which grew 13% to 11.5 million unique visitors:
Top 10 Gaining Properties by percentage Change in Unique Visitors (U.S. March 2010 vs. February 2010; Total U.S. - Home, Work and University Locations) | ||||
| Total Unique Visitors (000) |
| ||
Properties | Feb-10 | Mar-10 | % Change | Rank by Unique Visitors |
Total Internet Audience | 209,749 | 212,593 | 1 | N/A |
Unister GmbH | 2,715 | 5,930 | 118 | 242 |
Kraft Foods | 3,076 | 5,968 | 94 | 239 |
FunnyorDie | 3,225 | 5,750 | 78 | 246 |
MLB.COM | 4,782 | 8,126 | 70 | 181 |
AVG Technologies | 5,968 | 8,567 | 44 | 167 |
Limewire.Com | 7,565 | 10,225 | 35 | 143 |
General Motors | 5,766 | 7,613 | 32 | 195 |
Lowes.Com | 7,489 | 9,732 | 30 | 149 |
ToneFuse Music Network | 8,089 | 10,490 | 30 | 135 |
Sony Online | 12,890 | 16,422 | 27 | 83 |
Source: comScore Media Metrix, April 2010 |
Top 10 Gaining Site Categories by percentage Change in Unique Visitors (U.S. March 2010 vs. February 2010 Total U.S. - Home, Work and University Locations) | |||
| Total Unique Visitors (000) | ||
Site Categories | Feb-10 | Mar-10 | % Change |
Total Internet Audience | 209,749 | 212,593 | 1 |
Automotive - Manufacturer | 24,554 | 30,268 | 23 |
Community - Green | 18,773 | 22,615 | 20 |
News/Information - Politics | 17,410 | 20,523 | 18 |
Retail - Tickets | 23,618 | 27,007 | 14 |
Business/Finance - Online Trading | 10,218 | 11,533 | 13 |
Services - Downloads | 77,108 | 86,949 | 13 |
Travel - Car Rental | 5,297 | 5,954 | 12 |
Retail - Fragrances/Cosmetics | 13,434 | 14,956 | 11 |
Travel - Transactions | 3,854 | 4,287 | 11 |
Retail - Toys | 16,618 | 18,459 | 11 |
Source: comScore Media Metrix, April 2010 |
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