African Americans are racing to the Internet in record numbers, according to the 2005 AOL African American Cyberstudy, conducted for AOL by IMAGES Market Research. They report spending more time on the Internet (5 hours a day vs. 2.9 hours a day for the general online population) and are closing the gap in Internet usage with nearly 80% of African Americans having access to the Internet (vs. 88% of the general population). And two-thirds of online African American households have a high-speed connection vs. 53% of the general population. Those currently not online are more likely to get connected within the next 6 to 12 months.

The study also revealed that African Americans are embracing the Internet as an indispensable lifestyle tool and a tremendous resource. They are far more likely to use the Web to access a variety of information: news (68% vs. 56%), entertainment (55% vs. 26%), health related issues (72% vs. 53%), financial questions/needs (60% vs. 40%) and sports (39% vs. 26%).

Other popular activities include: using a search engine (92%), communicating with family and friends (86%), using the Internet to get driving directions (85%), opening a bank account or online banking (62%) and listening to music online (62%). In addition, 62% of African Americans feel the Internet is helpful with individual career advancement and is a useful education tool (80%) for all ages.

However, the study also found that an overwhelming number of African Americans say there isn't enough online content that "speaks" to them as a distinct culture with its own dynamic needs and values. The survey also found that almost three-quarters (73%) of African Americans were much more receptive to culturally diverse advertising. And 68% favor companies that benefit the African American community.

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Nearly Eight in ten African Americans surveyed are currently using the Internet - the remaining 21% are more likely than the general online population to jump on the Internet within the next 6-12 months.

Already, 64% of African Americans online have broadband access - vs. 53% of the Total Online Population

African Americans are far more likely than other online users to use the Web to access a variety of information: news (68% vs. 56%), entertainment (55% vs. 26%), music (49% vs. 21%), and sports (39% vs. 26%).

The most popular online activities among African Americans are using a search engine (92%), communicating with friends and family (86%), and getting driving directions and maps (85%).

Almost two-thirds (62%) of African Americans feel the Internet is helpful with individual career advancements.

76% of African Americans view the Internet as a big time-saver, saying it allows them to access large amounts of information quickly and get more things done in a day.

African Americans spend an average of 5 hours per day on the Internet while all others spend 2.9 hours a day.

Online African Americans report they use the Internet an average of 6 days per week, compared to 5 days per week for all others.

49% of African Americans feel the Internet is the best source of information on consumer products.

70% have researched an item online and subsequently purchased it in a store.

72% of online African Americans say the need to obtain general information prompted initial use.

54% feel the Internet provides more information about healthcare issues important to African Americans than any other sources. And African Americans are far more likely to turn to the Internet for healthcare-related searches than all others (64% vs. 53%).

60% believe the Internet is the best source for financial information.

The Ability to get entertainment information quickly is a big draw for African Americans (75%).

42% of African Americans go online to learn about new styles & fashion information.

African Americans view the Internet as an entertainment medium, using it to view video clips and download music.

73% of African Americans feel on-demand entertainment is an important benefit of the Internet.

78% percent see the Internet as a time-saver allowing them to avoid waiting in line for tickets.

The most common movie-related reasons to go online are to look for a movie they may want to see (73%) and to search for a theater or movie time (68%).

86% of African Americans use the Internet to communicate with family and friends.

30% of respondents use instant messaging occasionally or more.

Six in ten African Americans look for information about financial products online.

Online banking services are already widely used, with 71% of African Americans indicating it's their leading online financial activity.

46% are likely to start or increase their investment practices in the near future.

Online African Americans earning $100K or more are significantly more likely to track their investments or stock portfolio online.

African Americans are more likely than all others to cite the Internet as the best source of information for automotive-related issues (63% vs. 44%).

Researching different vehicle types (62%) was the most common reason for automotive-related Internet usage.

Slightly more than half (52%) have used the Internet to price shop new cars.

Over one-third (37%) of African Americans plan to purchase a new or used car in the next 12 months compared to 22% of all others.

African Americans are avid are avid travelers: 2/3 of African Americans have traveled domestically in the past 12 months.

African Americans are more likely than all others to report the Internet as the best source of travel-related information (79% vs. 73%).