Global search engine usage revealed

Some 61 billion searches were conducted worldwide using search engines during August of this year, according to a new report.

Figures compiled by comScore revealed that 95 per cent of the global internet-using population instigated an average of 80 searches each during the month, with totals 750 million people aged 15 or more.

"With the tremendous volume of search activity occurring around the world, search continues to present an abundance of marketing opportunities to companies on both a global and local scale," said Bob Ivins from comScore.

Google was found to be the top search engine, with 31 billion searches conducted, followed by Yahoo! with 8.5 billion.

"comScore´s ability to look at search on a global, regional and country level provides unparalleled insight into the evolving search landscape that was not available previously," Mr Ivins said of the report, the first comprehensive worldwide look at search behaviour to be released by the metrics firm.

A separate report from comScore found that Google was the most visited property in the UK during August as well, with 28.3 million unique visitors aged 15 or older.