47% of internet users have searched for their own name online, up from 22% five years ago

Pew/Internet & American Life Project 12/16/2007 Release Releases

47% of internet users have searched for their own name online, up from 22% five years ago

Most internet users are unaware and unconcerned about the extent of the data available about them online

WASHINGTON, DC, December 16, 2007 – Forty-seven percent of internet users have searched for their own name online, but few monitor their online presence with great regularity. Fifty-three percent of internet users have searched online for information about personal and business contacts.

These findings represent a significant change from when the Pew Internet Project first reported on this activity in 2002, at which time 22% of internet users had searched online for their own name. Read More at PewInternet.org

About the Pew Internet & American Life Project: The Pew Internet Project produces reports that explore the social impact of the internet. Support for the non-profit Pew Internet Project is provided by The Pew Charitable Trusts. The Project is an initiative of the Pew Research Center.