Searching for why consumers use certain search engines

Search has become such an important part of online shoppers' activities that retailers choosing which search engines to participate in should know why consumers use the different search portals--Google, Yahoo, MSN and AOL. Majestic Research Corp. in October released the results of a survey of consumers' use of the Internet. Among the data were insights on why consumers choose the portals they do, how aware they are of sponsored links and their attitudes toward search engines' use of consumers' demographic or behavioral data to target ads. Here are some of the findings in the 22-page report "Majestic Surveys: Internet Media and E-Commerce Usage Trends."