Search Visibility Winners: Searchmetrics' annual review of domains that gained search visibility on Google found that YouTube topped the list for 2017, followed by the Merriam-Webster dictionary site and Wikia.com. The top of the list was heavily weighted toward sites with dictionary- and encyclopedia-type content. Searchmetrics noted that sites focused on delivering strong editorial content seemed to do best in terms of search visibility.
Verizon's Earnings: Telecom Verizon reported revenues of $33.96 billion for Q4 2017, exceeding analyst estimates, but fell slightly short of earnings expectations. Oath, the company's digital content and advertising arm that includes its AOL and Yahoo subsidiaries, reported $2.2 billion in revenues for the quarter.
Internet Use Climbs, Natch: The USC Annenberg School for the Digital Future reports that time spent with the internet in the US has climbed steadily over the past several years. The organization found US internet users now spent an average of 23.6 hours per week online, and that internet use at home is averaging 17.6 hours per week. In addition, the center's report concluded that internet access via mobile phones has grown tremendously, as has the use of mobile apps.
iPhone X Shipments: According to Canalys, Apple shipped 29 million iPhone X units in the last quarter of 2017, more than any other smartphone model. The firm also reported that China accounted for 7 million of those shipments. Canalys noted that the iPhone X had a relatively high price, but customers took advantage of trade-in programs to lessen the blow to their wallets. However, demand for the device still remained below expectations.
Media Hungry: New research from PQ Media finds that worldwide, consumers spent $1.742 trillion on media content and technology in 2017, an uptick of 6.7% from the previous year's figure. The company reported that digital media consumption was aided by the growth of video streaming services like Netflix, as well as audio-focused streaming platforms such as Spotify and Pandora. PQ Media also found the US was again the world's largest market for consumer media content, access and technology, generating $431.86 billion in revenues.