The number of female Web surfers is growing much faster than the overall Internet population, according to a report released by Nielsen/NetRatings on Friday.
The Internet research firm said the number of women who surf the Web at home rose 9 percent to 55 million in December from a year earlier, while the total Internet population increased 6 percent to 104.8 million. (I wonder if they surf around NeoWin :P -Ed)
The number of male Web surfers rose 3 percent to 49.8 million.
Women accounted for 52 percent of Internet users at home in December. April 2000 marked the first time more women were on the Web than men, according to Nielsen.
However, Nielsen said male Web surfers at home spent 24 percent more time on the Internet and accessed more content than their female counterparts, averaging 11 hours a month. Women spent about 9 hours online a month.
Separately, Jupiter Media Metrix said that for December it added 34 sites to its list of those that attracted more than 500,000 unique visitors, or people who came to the site at least once during the month.
"A varied and robust list of newcomer Web sites signals continuing and growing demand for online services," said Charles Buchwalter, Jupiter"s vice president of media research. "While a few of December"s new sites were reflective of the holiday-shopping season, there were a large number of new portals and search sites appealing to targeted communities."