Taxis Top Mobile Search Queries

Europeans are turning to the search capabilities of their mobile phones when looking for new careers, according to a recent report from mobilePeople, the mobile search company.
The findings of mobilePeoples Mobile Search Trends 2006 study show that just before Christmas 2006,  6% of all mobile searches were for jobs and recruitment consultants.  According to the study, the overall number of mobile searches conducted during 2006 grew ten fold on the previous year.
The report also reveals the top mobile search categories before and during the festive period. These were, in order of popularity, Taxis, Takeaways, Restaurants, Supermarkets, and Consumer Electronics.
The most popular brands searched on in the run up to Christmas were Ikea and Toys r Us. The searches peaked on Christmas Eve with the last minute rush for gifts, in particular consumer electronics. The next peak was on 27 December, with post Christmas exchanges and sales. This shows how mobile-based services increasingly play an integral role in shaping consumer behaviours and have become an essential part of todays lifestyle, the company says.
The top 20 searches generated 80% of the entire search volume. Other search categories featuring in the top 20 included banks and financial institutions, hotels, garage services, car parts, hairdressers, medical services, shoe retailers, cinemas, furniture outlets, toy retailers, department stores, pubs and coffee shops.
The combination of 3G networks and improved device capabilities means that mobile search is getting faster and easier sasy Eden Zoller, Principal Analyst at Ovums Consumer Practice. It is becoming something people want to try, and as the survey highlights, comes into its own when people are time constrained, on the move and need something quickly.
For mobilePeople, CEO Jens Andersen adds:
It is evident that consumers are warming up to the idea of searching on mobiles. Who would have thought a year ago about looking for a job on their mobile? Companies worldwide are now facing winning over the I need it now generation that chooses a mobile phone as a means of searching for information. Its the final call to get on the mobile web or miss out.
The Mobile Search Trends 2006 study is the first of a series of reports planned by mobilePeople on mobile search. The findings were based on data obtained from mobilePeoples European customer base during the period 23 27 December 2006.