Top Cell Phone Activity In 2013? Texting, Then Internet, Email & Apps

Our phones may be smarter than ever, but the most popular activity most Americans use them for is pretty simple — to send SMS messages. That tops the list of cell phone activities for 2013, according to a new study released by Pew Internet. The study, conducted in April and May of this year and […]

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Our phones may be smarter than ever, but the most popular activity most Americans use them for is pretty simple — to send SMS messages. That tops the list of cell phone activities for 2013, according to a new study released by Pew Internet.

The study, conducted in April and May of this year and involving over 2,000 adults, asked about various activities. Texting topped the list, followed by accessing the internet, doing email, downloading apps, getting directions and more. The full list:

  • 81% of cell phone owners text
  • 60% of cell phone owners use the internet
  • 52% do email
  • 50% download apps
  • 49% get directions, recommendations, or some other type of location-based information
  • 48% listen to music
  • 21% do video calls or chat
  • 8% “check in” or share their location

Virtually all the activities have been trending up over time. Music hasn’t, simply because there’s no trend data available for music yet. Check-in services are the notable exception posting a drop:

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Opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily MarTech. Staff authors are listed here.


About the author

Danny Sullivan
Contributor
Danny Sullivan was a journalist and analyst who covered the digital and search marketing space from 1996 through 2017. He was also a cofounder of Third Door Media, which publishes Search Engine Land, MarTech, and produces the SMX: Search Marketing Expo and MarTech events. He retired from journalism and Third Door Media in June 2017. You can learn more about him on his personal site & blog He can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

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