U.S. adults preferred methods for online search 2024

Published by Statista Research Department, Jan 29, 2025

According to an April 2024 survey, 34 percent of adults in the United States preferred to use traditional search engines for online search. However, the use of social media usage for finding information online is growing as a trend, especially among younger generations. Approximately 18 percent of respondents used both methods for online searches depending on specific needs, while 48 percent of interviewees primarily used either social media or search engines for this task.

Online search methods used by adults in the United States in April 2024

CharacteristicShare of respondents
Search engines only 34%
Search engines primarily, social media occasionally 24%
Social media primarily, search engines occasionally 24%
Both, based on specific needs 18%
Showing entries 1 to 4 (4 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Share of respondents34%34%24%24%24%24%18%18%Search engines onlySearch engines primarily, social media occasionallySocial media primarily, search engines occasionallyBoth, based on specific needs
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%

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Release date

July 2024

Region

North America, United States

Survey time period

April 12 to 22, 2024

Number of respondents

2,000 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

Margin of error of ~2.2 points, 95 percent confidence.

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