Searching for information online using a search engine is the main reason consumers in the UK log on to the internet, new research shows.

Wednesday, 10 December 2008

Data from TNS reveals that 80 per cent of people go online to use a search engine, while 76 per cent use the internet to do their banking. A further 75 per cent keep abreast of the news using the internet and 66 per cent go online to pay their bills.

Arno Hummerston, managing director of TNS, comments: "With more social and entertainment activities available online, it's easy to understand why our lives are becoming more digital."

He adds that more leisure time is being created as internet users are logging on to complete tasks such as paying bills.

Recently, Google launched its new SearchWiki tool, which gives users the ability to customise their search results.