Mobile and tablet internet usage exceeds desktop for first time worldwide

Increased traffic plus Google search rankings stress importance of mobile friendly websites

Post-Brexit implications for UK business

San Francisco, CA and Dublin, Ireland; 1st November, 2016: Internet usage by mobile and tablet devices exceeded desktop worldwide for the first time in October according to independent web analytics company StatCounter

Its research arm, StatCounter Global Stats finds that mobile and tablet devices accounted for 51.3% of internet usage worldwide in October compared to 48.7% by desktop.

“This should be a wake up call especially for small businesses, sole traders and professionals to make sure that their websites are mobile friendly. Many older websites are not,” commented Aodhan Cullen, CEO, StatCounter.

“Mobile compatibility is increasingly important not just because of growing traffic but because Google favours mobile friendly websites for its mobile search results.” He pointed out that Google recently launched a tool where businesses can test their website mobile performance.

Despite the rapid growth of mobile devices, desktop is still the primary mode of internet usage in mature markets such as the US and UK.

However, Cullen warned, “Post-Brexit, UK businesses should be aware, as they look to increase trade outside the EU, that India for example has over 75% internet usage through mobile devices.”

In the UK desktop is on 55.6% with mobile and tablet on 44.4%.

In the US desktop still accounts for 58% of internet usage compared to 42% for mobile and tablet.

Other individual country stats available at: http://gs.statcounter.com/#desktop+mobile+tablet-comparison-ww-monthly-201610-201610-bar

StatCounter Global Stats data is based on over 15 billion page views per month to over 2.5 million websites. Further information: http://gs.statcounter.com/faq

StatCounter’s (http://statcounter.com) core business is to provide companies, agencies, bloggers, self-employed and charities with data to measure activity on their website, blog or forum. Key features include a free option, ease of use, independence and ability to view individual visitors in real time.

Ends

For interview with Aodhan Cullen, photo or press queries:

Ronnie Simpson, Simpson Consulting PR

E:ronnie@simpsonconsulting.ie Mobile: +353 86 855 9410