South African Online Market Share Internet Statistics Search Engine Market Share Mobile Statistics http://www.mediavision.uk.com http://blog.mediavision.uk.com By Brett Pringle

Before we start: Google does not give out statistics 3 rd Party companies compile research South Africa does not have free resources such as Hitwise or Comscore World Wide Worx offers comprehensive research reports… at a cost Most reports are based on internet use & mobile figures Mobile is the core focus in many countries going forward, especially 2009 (Year of the social networking boom) http://www.mediavision.uk.com http://blog.mediavision.uk.com

Internet Usage in South Africa 2006 figures show the users at 3,830 000 according to World Wide Worx (W.W.W) According to W.W.W report in 2004, the increase in users was due to the introduction of broadband & the strong rand value Goldstuck (W.W.W) also notes that the market has seen a growth in both ADSL and 3G by over 50% The Seacom undersea cable (first in a series of cables to come) commissioned by Neotel will increase international broadband 40 fold. Due Mid 2009. Dial up will become a distant memory “ In the past year, the Internet user base in South Africa has seen its highest rate of growth since 2001, increasing by 12.5% to 4,5-million.” – Arthur Goldstuck http://www.mediavision.uk.com http://blog.mediavision.uk.com

South African Facts & Figures 2008: Google opens offices in SA July 2008 reports show Google.co.za dominating over local engines such as Aardvark and Ananzi. Ananzi by July 2008 was at 221 436 unique monthly visitors, down from 314 132 a year ago. Aardvark by June 2008 was at 88 774 unique monthly visitors, down from 106 102 compared to the previous year. http://www.mediavision.uk.com http://blog.mediavision.uk.com While the SA broadband market continues to grow, the mobile market continues to remain the leading telecommunications medium. The broadband penetration rate is 2% less than the mobile penetration rate. “ A sixth of all internet searches in South Africa come from mobile devices, the highest ratio in the world ” According to Stafford Masie (Head of Google SA)

2008/2009 Google SA Estimations It is said that figures range from 60 – 90% market share for Google SA, however, growing market share tend to lean towards the 90% mark for 2009. Examining MediaVision South Africa clients, the figures match the above percentages range, however a large majority of the older clients sit within the 75 – 85% range. Newer clients ( Clients without any current coverage in the search engines ), are still at the lower percentage, however show a steady increase over the months Trivia note : 2007 Q3 Global Search Engine Shares: Google South Africa – 0.31% MSN South Africa – 0.01% http://www.mediavision.uk.com http://blog.mediavision.uk.com 2008 Global Market Share

Recent survey in 2008 shows that South Africa is the 4 th largest growing cellular communications market, which accounts for 80% of the population equaling more than 39 million users BMI-Techknowledge predicts that by 2013 there will be 15 million mobile internet users Stafford Masie says that 78% of all people with mobile phones in South Africa don't have personal computers, and that 85% of this "no-PC" group will never own a PC. Mobile Search Market http://www.mediavision.uk.com http://blog.mediavision.uk.com

South Africa might be slow adopters on the technology side compared to the UK and USA, however we are fast learners Almost every South African has heard or used Google in one form or another, Mobile search or PC based. South Africans will tend to use mobile search more in the future, all in relation to the “affordability” of mobile handsets. 3G is still over priced compared to ADSL. Business owners are realizing the massive potential for the online market, while traditional media costs increase, the overall cost for an effective organic search campaign is still cost effective in the long run Social Media opens an extremely cost effective solution for brand engagement online, plus the added benefit of marketing online at almost no additional cost. Generally within SA, the population is becoming more aware that the internet can offer an alternative to offline shopping, especially when price is a concern (keeping the current recession period in mind) So what does this all mean? http://www.mediavision.uk.com http://blog.mediavision.uk.com

References http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/view/mw/en/page71?oid=217728&sn=Blog%20detail%20back%20button http://thebigchange.com/internet/ http://www.internetworldstats.com/af/za.htm http://www.itnewsafrica.com/?p=1849 Thank You http://www.mediavision.uk.com http://blog.mediavision.uk.com