Browsing Survey Results

March 8, 2013 · by Anna Rohleder

A few weeks ago, we invited you to participate in our first-ever browsing survey. Lots of you responded at that time, and the answers keep coming in. As we sift through the data, we'd like to share a few of the patterns that are starting to emerge:

The need to know

More than 60% of you said that your primary goal in going online is to be informed, whether that's through keeping up with news and events in the world or what's happening in your field of work or study.

Being entertained came in a very distant second. Only 17% of you turn to the internet to watch videos, play games, or indulge in other forms of fun (also known as procrastination).

Work, socializing and shopping rounded up the list of activities you pursue on the web.

Time vs productivity

We didn't ask you how much time you spend online in minutes or hours, but we did ask you to decide if the amount of time you spent felt right to you. Here there was an almost even split between those who felt they spent too much online and those who felt they spent just about the right amount of time. Those who felt they didn't spend enough time were a very small minority.

Focus vs distraction

In doing this survey, one of our larger goals is to find out how the browser can help you achieve more of your goals. While many of you have said that the internet is a distraction, some of you manage to use it effectively. If you have any tips on staying focused while you're online, please share them in the comments!

Readers' comments 30

Left under the original article, as archived.

Spadar ShutFriday, March 8, 2013 2:07:52 PM
Just close the browser and do your work - boosts effectiveness immediately!
If you need to look up someting online urgently - open IE
Resnick FloresFriday, March 8, 2013 2:18:42 PM
Originally posted by SpShut:

Just close the browser and do your work - boosts effectiveness immediately!
If you need to look up someting online urgently - open IE

Dude, what's wrong with you? xD
Phillip Robert O'ConnerFriday, March 8, 2013 3:36:45 PM
Play Brain Age:Concentration Training Or Lumosity.com.

They R Brain Games But They Help with Concentration And Also Propose As A Distration. Play these Games Are Helpfully for those who going 2 school or Doing a research Paper.
Afzaal Ahmad ZeeshanFriday, March 8, 2013 4:30:27 PM
apart from all things, opera team I would like to tell you, the best thing in your browser apart from speed is sync. I loved that feature, however its not present in your opera browser (android) beta! I would rate you 5 star, not only me, thousands of other too if they get their bookmarks!

Secondly the new UI is awesome! its more like Google Chrome. More over I am using opera browser beta to send this comment! Loved this app! ♥
David KinlayFriday, March 8, 2013 5:21:35 PM
Well done on the new interface, will sync work on the beta soon I wonder!
PengeFriday, March 8, 2013 5:28:53 PM
Originally posted by AnnaMetro:

If you have any tips on staying focused while you're online, please share them in the comments!

Keep the features in the next (WebKit) version.
Sefyu AmanSaturday, March 9, 2013 4:14:22 PM
myoperabrowse on my nokia6300 to read amharic how to config?
tebogo neo kauSaturday, March 9, 2013 7:33:53 PM
surfing the net shouldn't be about sitting in front of the PC and typing what ever! try keep a notebook close to you.....every time you think about something write it down and when ever internet is at ur disposal reach out to the notebook
ErikSaturday, March 9, 2013 9:19:13 PM
For me is mostly about an schedule, thanks to Opera I discovered RSS, I read the news once at morning and if not tired at night too. Need to look up a word: address bar custom search keywords are the best.

Maybe a way to stay focused on the web is to get to do what you want at light speed. And then when you are done with that, you continue your work.

Keep being awesome Opera, please...
АндрійSaturday, March 9, 2013 11:06:13 PM
I read my RSS in the browser Opera. I read my mail in Opera browser. I go on the links from RSS, I go on the links in my mail in the Opera browser. If my RSS and my email will not in Opera browser - why me for walking on these links in the browser Opera?
Yes - I want to play a little bit, to relax in the game (HTML5) without leaving the Opera browser, but really it was well implemented in the Opera browser?
Yes - I am using the Opera browser at work, but it is hampered by problems, they do not corrected the developers to our requests.
Most requested thing - sync. But it actually works very unstable - many nuances to the device (it is a great truth, and a big problem), they do not corrected the developers to our requests.
Opera browser is necessary to make a lot of work to find again the trust and respect of users! You lost a lot of it!
Edward MylesSunday, March 10, 2013 12:03:31 AM
strange that very few say they do it for online shopping
MariuszMonday, March 11, 2013 10:56:47 AM
Sync in the browser is something which can boost productivity I believe. I see some have mentioned RSS reading. Syncing read articles in Opera is something I really miss.
cutiealaricMonday, March 11, 2013 2:54:47 PM
Originally posted by edwardhpro:

strange that very few say they do it for online shopping

That is selected one only, not multiple choice tests.
André ZangheliniTuesday, March 12, 2013 3:54:56 AM
I was expecting these results, it's the main look of a normal Opera user.
Zachariah ChidaonamasoWednesday, March 13, 2013 10:50:21 PM
Thats amazing to do all your work on line and boost up your business immediately with opera. While time is given thee use it. Many thanks to the opera users. I love opera.
mahesaSaturday, March 16, 2013 5:33:37 PM
I spend most of my waking time online!
Chau triMonday, March 18, 2013 7:46:17 AM
http://maria-ozawa.us/tag/maria-ozawa/
lidoMonday, March 18, 2013 12:31:46 PM
Comment marked as spam. Awaiting moderation.
mohammed seidTuesday, March 19, 2013 6:15:18 PM

awesome!
sefyu4Wednesday, March 20, 2013 7:10:46 PM
i like opera
Mala SOmaThursday, March 21, 2013 2:35:33 AM
nice wark
Jeff TomasThursday, March 21, 2013 1:13:34 PM
Originally posted by SpShut:

Just close the browser and do your work - boosts effectiveness immediately!
If you need to look up someting online urgently - open IE
Best advice ever!
forumsarayifgpSunday, March 24, 2013 9:40:59 AM
Forum Sitesi-forumsarayi
http://forumsarayi.f.gp
www.forumsarayi.f.gp
forumsarayi.f.gp
http://forumsarayi.f.gp/.xml/?type=rss
http://forumsarayi.f.gp/index.php?action=.xml;type=rss
kedzior8501Thursday, March 28, 2013 12:28:53 PM
Great post, thanks a lot!!!
prabusiliwangi848Sunday, March 31, 2013 6:26:33 AM
Merapaaaatt..dulu8-)
Hadi NugrahaTuesday, April 2, 2013 4:24:32 PM
Many people distracted by popup frames while reading online. Most of we dont like it
Chris van der WesthuizenMonday, April 8, 2013 5:43:26 AM
Fun...yea!...what happened to the very important fun ingredient in connection with using internet?
Opera give us this great browser an im having plenty of fun with it on the internet!...yea fun and using technology goes hand an hand for me...but if you wanne get somewhere with the internet you need to stay focus!...there are just too much information out there and if you dont stay focus you walk in a circle like a man in the dessert without really knowing where he is going!...an that aint fun at all!!.
Only thing on the s60 devices i always wanted to be able to read my saved pages in opera mini on my phones file system as well but thats not possible with Opera browser so far...the only message you get in trying to access(open) those saved pages is that it cant becuase the format aint supported!!...make it a supported format please so that i can open them saved pages then i can do so very much MORE! with those saved info!!
lohman jaf bardeMonday, April 15, 2013 1:01:37 PM
the assessment was quite acurate,fo me i use it for social media interactn,and general info.its awsme!
ViceZip Juarez CruzWednesday, April 17, 2013 1:51:54 AM
bueno actual
Dr Anna MariaSaturday, May 4, 2013 9:18:52 PM
good advice,
Nanaz