Report: 47% Americans Google themselves

BEIJING, Dec. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- A report said 47 percent of U.S. adult Internet users have looked for information about themselves through Google or another search engine.

The report, published by the Pew Internet & American Life Project Sunday, said many are checking out their friends, co-workers and romantic interests, too.

Although the figure is already more than twice the 22 percent of users who did in 2002, Mary Madden, co-author of the report and a senior research specialist with Pew, said, "it's still the case that there's a big chunk of Internet users who have never done this simple act of plugging their name with search engines."

The findings reflect how people are sharing more and more of their lives on the Internet, as well as how Web 2.0 sites such as YouTube, Flickr, Facebook and MySpace are encouraging users to post their home videos, photographs and personal profiles online, including data ranging from their favorite movies to their cell phone number.

The report said 36 percent said they have searched the Web for someone with whom they've lost touch, and 9 percent have dug up information on someone they are dating.

Despite increasing concern over how that data can be used, 61 percent said they are not worried about how much information about them is on the Internet, while 38 percent have taken steps to control it.

Among adults who have a visible social-networking profile, 60 percent said that anyone who happens upon it can see it, and 38 percent said they restrict access to their friends, the report said.

Interestingly, teens are more likely than adults to restrict who can see their private details online on sites such as MySpace.

The report also found that 53 percent, mostly those under the age of 50, have looked up an acquaintance on the Web.

Women are slightly more likely than men to have researched someone they are dating or someone they are about to meet. More men than women, on the other hand, said they have looked up friends, someone from their past or a colleague or competitor.

In light of recent recommendations that job hunters not post photographs or personal information that could hurt their chances with employers, 11 percent said they have searched online for someone they are about to hire or work with.

(Agencies)