SURVEY: 65% of Internet Users Pay for Content

[DaBees-Knees]

http://www.zeropaid.com/news/91777/survey-65-of-internet-users-pay-for-content/

Pew Research Center says nearly two-thirds of Internet users have paid to download or access some kind of online content ranging from music to games to news articles.

For some time now copyright holders have insisted rampant illegal downloading makes it virtually impossible to sell content online, that legal content is no match for the intoxicating allure of content with no price tag.

A new survey by the Pew Research Center appears to suggest that opposite, that a clear majority of Internet users have paid for online content.

“Nearly two‐thirds of internet users – 65% – have paid to download or access some kind of online content from the internet, ranging from music to games to news articles,” it says. “Music, software, and apps are the most popular content that internet users have paid to access or download, although the range of paid online content is quite varied and widespread.”

It surveyed 755 Internet users and asked them if they have paid to download or access 15 different kinds of material online.

Some of the results include:

33% have paid for digital music
33% have paid for software
19% have paid for digital games
16% have paid for videos, movies, or TV shows
10% have paid for e‐books
2% have paid for adult content
Another 6% said they paid to download or access content not included in the categories offered.

The average amount individuals paid for content was approximately $47 per month, but the amount is skewed by some extremely high end users. Most spent about $10 per month.



When it comes to payment a majority (23%) said they pay for subscription services, versus downloading individual files (16%), or accessing streaming content (8%).
The Pew Research Center says the report proves that users are willing to pay for online content.

It says:

The internet has become a viable distribution channel for a variety of online content, especially in the era of broadband. The Pew Research Center’s Internet & American Life surveys show that roughly 66% of American adults currently have home broadband connections, which enables users to quickly and easily download software, movies, television shows, music, e‐books, and news articles. As a result, more and more commercial entities are exploring the internet as a business model for delivering these types of digital content and media to potential consumers. In addition, non‐commercial organizations are looking to the internet to distribute for‐fee content. So far, all the material that is distributed by the internet is “intangible,” but some commentators have pointed to a future in which the internet,combined with other technologies such as three‐dimensional printers, distribute tangible goods that can be assembled by the end user.

Internet users between the ages of 30‐49 are the most likely to have purchased the most kinds of content. This age group, along with 18‐ 29yos, is also the most likely to pay for music online.



Level of education also seems to be a factor. Internet users with at least some college experience are more likely to purchase online content than are Internet users with just a high school or less education.

Now the survey doesn’t delve into illegal file-sharing and ratios between legal and illegal content consumption, but it does prove that consumers are willing to pay for content. Copyright holders have long complained that illegal file-sharing will lead to the death of the creative industries. This report contradicts those fears.

Another report that shows how untrue the cartels scare stories are.