Nielsen//NetRatings plans to debut a service that measures people's use of various Internet applications on their desktops, the Internet audience measurement firm said yesterday.
The service, Digital Media Universe, is to roll out in late October or early November.
Currently, Nielsen//NetRatings monitors Web use by 150,000 volunteer panelists at work and at home worldwide — 60,000 in the United States — and extrapolates to gauge traffic to Web sites. Digital Media Universe will monitor panelists' use of other Internet applications such as instant messaging, media players, file-swapping applications, wireless content systems, Web phones, weather applications and auction and shopping assistants.
It also will include a comprehensive measure of people's use of AOL's proprietary channels, according to Nielsen//NetRatings.
The service is a response to customer requests and aims to help marketers better plan their online efforts, Nielsen//NetRatings said.
