People Still Trust Yellow Pages More than Search Engines

Studies show that people rely on yellow pages rather than search engines when looking for information.

Technology rules the world today. People shop online, find friendship online and even work across borders because of the opportunities that internet provides. Search engines are something that everyone is used to and that has managed to set trends in the world of the web.

Studies, however, show that traditions are still alive and functioning. When looking for information, many people are still relying on old-fashioned methods and alternative sources.

A new study shows that yellow pages may still be popular among people, despite the fact that search engines happen to be one of the most widely used ways to discover information in today’s world.

The study shows that nearly 84 percent of the individuals surveyed for a year utilized internet and print yellow pages to discover information about local businesses, preferring those over search engines. Slightly over 75 percent of the people answered that they prefer search engines to stay informed.

These figures are puzzling and unexpected. Computers are becoming an important factor in every aspect of life and internet is a top information source. Search engines are considered by many the ‘default’ way to find information. It turns out, however, that many people remain old-fashioned despite innovations.

Some internet resources, like social media for example, remain relatively unpopular when people are trying to find out more about a local business. Only 32 percent of the Americans questioned said that they used social networks to discover information.

Online yellow pages are more popular than printed ones, which somehow confirms that new tendencies are already well-established and here to stay. Yet, the manner in which people are searching for information online remains somehow unusual.

Study answers show that yellow pages are still sought after but do people really trust the information that they are getting?

The questionnaire has also focused on credibility and the accuracy of information. One curious fact is that printed yellow pages are most trusted – about 45 percent of the respondents said that they believe in the information presented. Search engines come in second with 41 percent credibility.

Internet is widely used and it provides access to millions of pages but people tend to remain skeptical. Questionnaire results confirm that fact – offline and printed sources are still considered to be more reliable.

People still remain skeptical about search engines and the information they provide. A very small percentage of the people rely on search engine profiles and listings.

Should questionnaires be trusted and is the information they provide unbiased and completely objective? This question is a fair one but the results of the survey provide some intriguing statistics, as well. The majority of individuals remain traditionalists. And though new technologies are modern and very easy to use, they generate large levels of skepticism.

Many websites are biased and one-sided. But so are traditional media. Discovering the balance and looking for accuracy could be difficult both online and offline. Trends will certainly change as people from new generations become adults. Study questions confirm the claim – the majority of people aged under 34 sought local information from search engines.

The web is to develop even further and to become a leading information source. This transformation has already started. Whether people will accept everything that it provides is yet to be seen.