AOL survey: Instant messaging use growing in US

11.11.2005
The use of instant messaging in the U.S., for both work and play, is up 19 percent over last year, according to an Instant Messaging Trends survey released Thursday by America Online Inc., which makes AOL Instant Messenger software.

In fact, many Americans are now sending more IMs than e-mails, according to the survey.

"IM has become a truly mainstream phenomenon," said Chamath Palihapitiya, vice president and general manager for AIM and ICQ at America Online. "Before, I think there was the thought that it was only college or high school students that used this, but now it's really something that is used by anyone of all ages. IM's something that not only helps you communicate socially but also makes your work life efficient. It's something that helps you increase your productivity every day in the office. So from our perspective, it's always something we wanted to do -- extend beyond being a social application to also being a productivity tool. And this year the survey really confirmed for us that we've done that." "

In addition, an increasing number of people rely on mobile instant messaging, which points to the fact that people are looking to go online beyond using it only on the desktop, Palihapitiya said. "They feel the connectivity is important and they want their buddy list to still reach them," he said.

According to the survey:

- Fifty-eight percent of at-work instant messaging users now send IMs to communicate with colleagues, while 49 percent use IMs to get answers and make business decisions and 28 percent use it to interact with clients or customers. Twelve percent of at-work IM users have used it to avoid a difficult in-person conversation.