UK — Media and Information sites thrive in popularity as consumers seek the 'real world' on the web

Media and Information sites thrive in popularity as consumers seek the ‘real world’ on the web

In Jan 2004, nine media companies featured in the UK’s 50 most-popular brands online. By January 2011, the number had risen to 16, with the growth principally coming from TV broadcasters (ITV, Channel 4 and Sky) and national newspapers (Associated, News International and the Telegraph) – all essentially “traditional” media businesses.
Similarly, the rise in the number of Information & Reference brands in the Top 50 can largely be attributed to the rising popularity of social media and a growing acceptance by consumers of ‘anonymous authority’ – trusting the provenance of unedited content uploaded by users unknown to them. The number has shot up from a single site (Yell.com) in Jan 2004, to seven sites (including Wikipedia, eHow and WikiAnswers) in Jan 2011.

Includes chart showing “Top 50 web brands by unique UK visitors in Jan 2004 and Jan 2011.”
Source: Nielsen

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