Australian social networks and forums usage increased 36.1% in the past year

Last week, the Experian Hitwise analysis, Australians Online in 2010, was released to coincide with the annual Experian Hitwise Awards, which rewards the most popular websites searched for by Australian consumers in the past year.

The analysis has some great insights to share on a range of online social behaviours. Not surprisingly, a lot of this information centres on social media. It is interesting to note that social networking and forums usage increased 36.1% in the past year and overtook search engines as the most visited industry by Australian Internet users in March 2010.