Gas Price-Related Searches Increase

A study conducted by comScore Media Metrix indicates search engine queries seeking lower gas prices has increased by 156 percent.

According to their study, almost 700,000 Americans searched for fuel efficiency-related keywords in March of this year. During the month in question, more than 1.5 million searches were performed using gas-related keywords like: “gas prices,” “hybrid cars,” “Toyota Prius,” and “gas mileage.”

The correlation suggests as gas prices increased, so did the amount of searches looking for cheaper gas. Apparently, traditional combustion-powered car owners are considering other options besides cheaper gas. comScore’s data states over 300,000 hybrid-related searches were also performed in March. James Lamberti, vice president of comScore Networks had these thoughts:

“We’ve consistently found that online search activity describes the dynamics of consumer demand, especially for high consideration products such as automobiles. For marketers across all industries, search can provide not only a marketing tool, but also a critical consumer profiling and segmentation resource.”

Not surprisingly, a Google Map hack showing gas prices across the United States is available. The Cheap Gas Map lists a selected area’s gas prices, cheaper to most expensive, substantiating comScore’s study.

Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for WebProNews. Visit WebProNews for the latest search news.