Digital ministry survey reveals shifting information search trends in Taiwan
數位部調查揭示台灣資訊搜尋趨勢的變化
| TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Fewer people in Taiwan are turning to online encyclopedias for information, the Ministry of Digital Affairs has reported.
Last year, 46.9% of the population used online encyclopedias, such as Wikipedia, to search for information. This marks the lowest rate since 2020, CNA reported Wednesday. The figures come from the digital ministry’s survey, which examines how residents engage with information and communications technology, including access, usage, and digital skills. Respondents were asked whether they had accessed these platforms in the past three months. Among different online activities, five recorded usage rates below 50%. In addition to information searches at 46.9%, these include software downloads at 44.7%, email at 37.5%, digital audio and video editing at 28.8%, and digital content creation at 13.6%. The decline in online information searches was the largest among 12 surveyed activities, dropping 3.4 percentage points from the previous year. The ministry suggested the decrease may reflect changing habits in the era of artificial intelligence. More users are relying on AI-assisted tools or prioritizing entertainment and messaging apps over traditional searches. Long-term trends also show reduced use of online encyclopedias and multimedia editing software, likely due to AI technologies that simplify information retrieval and content creation. The survey was conducted from May to July 2025 and covered residents aged 12 and older across all 22 cities and counties. A total of 15,142 valid responses were collected via landline and mobile interviews, with an average sampling error of ±0.8%. |
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| Charlotte Lee Taiwan News, Staff Writer | |
| 2026-01-14 |
