Digital Footprints: What size boots do you wear? January 26, 2008
Posted by David Petherick in : 2.0, digital biographer, googlicious, online identity, search marketing, social media , trackbackPew Internet have published an interesting report, with a topic that’s absolutely my focus, but which I’ve only just had time to absorb. It’s clearly titled “Digital Footprints: Online identity management and search in the age of transparency” and it’s free to download as a PDF from Pew Internet.
The original questions that the report is based on are also available, a very useful measure to allow interpretation of any report - hats off to Pwe Internet for that simple addition, in addition to the report’s methodology being included at the end of the report.
Digital Footprints: Summary of Findings at a Glance
- The nature of personal information is changing in the age of Web 2.0.
- Internet users are becoming more aware of their digital footprint; 47% have searched for information about themselves online, up from just 22% five years ago.
- Few monitor their online presence with great regularity.
- Most internet users are not concerned about the amount of information available about them online, and most do not take steps to limit that information.
- Internet users have reason to be uncertain about the availability of personal data; 60% of those who search for their names actually find information about themselves online, but 38% say their searches come up short.
- One in ten internet users have a job that requires them to self-promote or market their name online.
- Among adults who create social networking profiles, transparency is the norm.
- More than half of all adult internet users have used a search engine to follow others’ footprints.
- Basic contact information tops most searchers’ wish lists.
There are some interesting terms and stats thrown up in the report which I include to pique your interest.
- Passive Digital Footprint: Personal data made accessible online with no deliberate intervention from an individual.
- “Second degree” personal information is material about you that may not be connected to your real name or is provided by someone else, with or without your knowledge.
- 11% of adult internet users say they have searched online for information about someone they are thinking about hiring or working with.
- 19% of adult internet users have searched for information about co-workers, professional colleagues or business competitors.
- Most users in search of information about others have some difficulty finding the information they want.
- The drive to be recognized online is so strong in certain circles that some parents have even begun to consider these issues when naming their children.
Related Blog: You’re a Nobody unless your name Googles well - Wall Street Journal (May 2007)
