Ani Petrosyan
Research expert for cybersecurity and cybercrime
Internet usage in the United States - statistics & facts
Currently, over 94 percent of Americans access the internet, many of whom could no longer imagine a life without it. Among the largest online markets in the world, the United States ranks third with over 322 million internet users nationwide. As a global hub of technological innovation and home to some of the world’s leading internet companies, the United States has consistently increased its digital population for over two decades.
When asked if they would support limiting weekly online usage time, a higher share of older individuals stated that they would strongly oppose that, compared to younger users, who didn’t have strong opinions on that. This shows just how important the internet has become in day-to-day life, not just for younger people but the entire population.
Most used online services
Google is the most used search engine in the United States, with nearly 87 percent usage distribution, followed by Bing, with around eight percent. Furthermore, Google.com was the most used website. In a 2024 survey, American internet users said that the main reason for using the internet was finding information and researching how to do certain things. Today, many offline services are possible online, too. In the fourth quarter of 2024, approximately 44 percent of bank account holders in the United States used online banking services on a PC or laptop.Popular AI tools in the U.S.
Among available artificial intelligence (AI) tools, OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini were the most used GenAI tools among adults in the United States. Additionally, Meta AI and Snapchat My AI. were stated to be used by adults in the U.S. An April 2024 survey of U.S. teens and their parents found that more than half of teens used AI tools to do their homework, while their parents were more likely to use such apps as translators.Mobile internet and apps usage
Over the last few years, the number of mobile internet users in the United States has increased significantly, surpassing 317 million in 2025. Almost half of web traffic in the United States, over 45 percent, originated from mobile devices. The most favorite mobile app among U.S. users is YouTube, with 76 percent usage, followed by Gmail, with 68 percent of audience reach. Meanwhile, the most downloaded app among Android users was TikTok.Social media usage in the United States
Social media is among the most popular online activities among internet users in the United States. By 2029, the number of individuals in the country using social networks is projected to reach over 330 million. Facebook had the highest market share among all social media visits via all devices. While using social media sites and apps, U.S. users mostly liked or commented on posts by other users and sent private messages. Social media is usually a place for discussions, and the topic most frequently discussed on these platforms is music, followed by discussions about food and drinks.When asked if they would support limiting weekly online usage time, a higher share of older individuals stated that they would strongly oppose that, compared to younger users, who didn’t have strong opinions on that. This shows just how important the internet has become in day-to-day life, not just for younger people but the entire population.
