32% of online Americans say the web has improved their shopping ability

The number of online Americans who say the Internet has greatly improved their ability to shop has doubled to 32% from 16% in March 2001, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project.

In addition, the percentage of Americans with broadband connections at home has increased to 42%, Pew said. That compares with 29% in January 2005. Studies have shown that consumers who use broadband spend more online.

Internet penetration also has reached an all-time high, with 73% of American adults using the Internet, up from 66% in January 2005, Pew found. However, Internet use still varies significantly across age groups. 88% of 18-to-29 year olds and 84% of 30-to-49 year olds go online, according to the report. That compares with 71% of 50-to-64 year olds and 32% of those ages 65 and older.

The lowest-income households also are less likely to go online. Just 53% of adults living in households with less than $30,000 in annual income go online, compared with 80% of those whose income is between $30,000 and $50,000, Pew found.

Adults in households earning $50,000 or more exceeded the national average for Internet penetration. 86% of adults in households with annual income between $50,000 and $75,000 use the Internet, compared with 91% of adults living in households earning more than $75,000.