xbiz world
xbiz premiere
opinion

Mobile Users Prefer Browsers over Apps

It seems as if everywhere we look these days, people are talking about apps. Apps for games, apps for iPhones, Android phones and apps for Blackberry phones – they seem to be absolutely everywhere. In fact, a recent study from comScore revealed that as much as a third of mobile phone subscribers in the US downloaded an application in August 2010, proving that apps have had an impressive growth period, despite the downturn in the economy. However, when asked, many mobile users have stated that they prefer browsers over apps, citing a better overall user experience.

Adobe contracted independent research company Keynote Systems to survey mobile users to find out about their preferences. Music, social media and games were the only categories where users stated they preferred to use an app over a browser to view content, but for everything else a browser was the top choice.

This preference of using a browser over an app has also been seen in the retail industries, with many users stating that they preferred using a browser for shopping rather than a shopping or store-specific app. This preference held true for every stage of the shopping experience, including gathering price information, product research or sharing products with friends via social tools.

The new data uncovered in this research may be surprising to some experts within the social market, as many consider apps to be the best way to view content or shop via mobile phones. Marketers, on the other hand, tend to prefer that users shop via their app, as downloading the app keeps the brand of the store or product on the home screen of the user. However, consumers are so far unimpressed by the apps that are being provided by businesses and other services, and concerned with privacy and personal data issues.

Another part of the survey included preferences about viewing websites that have been optimized for mobile use and regular websites. Most users preferred to use regular sites, when given the option, for viewing content such as media/entertainment and shopping for consumer products and services. Some analysts believe that these preferences for using browsers and viewing regular websites instead of apps or sites that are optimized specifically for mobile use reveal a “low awareness” of the programs and experiences that have been created specifically for the Web rather than a real preference.

Other Posts of Interest

College Students Hate Mobile Ads

Make Your Facebook Page Your Own

Copyright © 2026 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More Articles

opinion

How to Eliminate User Redirects and Improve Checkout Retention

Running an adult site, you work hard to create traffic and make sure your funnel is optimal, with the end goal of getting users to make a purchase. Then, right at that critical moment, what do you do? You send them somewhere else. Not good.

Jonathan Corona ·
opinion

How AI Is Modernizing Retail HR

With 21 locations, I’m pretty much always hiring. Unfortunately, the employment market these days can be chaotic, as candidates send out applications across dozens of job boards with a single click. For managers like me, this results in more time spent sorting through signals and static.

Zondre Watson ·
opinion

WIFEY at One: Brand Ambassador Serenity Cox Talks Authenticity, Trusted Relationships

Vixen Media Group brand Wifey may be celebrating its very first anniversary in March, but the imprint has wasted no time establishing itself as a distinctive new voice in adult cinema. In its debut year, Wifey captured two XMAs: Best New Studio/Imprint and Best New Site.

Christian Cintron ·
opinion

Rethinking Influencer Marketing in Sexual Wellness

Influencer marketing has evolved over the past several years, and that ripple has extended to the sexual wellness industry. The factors driving the appeal of partnering with influencers — raising awareness and expanding reach — remain just as important as they did when such partnerships first became common.

Naima Karp ·
trends

Meet the New Class of Pleasure Purveyors Making Waves

The sexual wellness industry has always evolved in response to cultural shifts, but the current wave of up-and-coming pleasure brands signals something deeper than trend cycles or aesthetic refreshes. These founders aren’t just launching new products; they are reframing what intimacy means, who it is for and how it fits into everyday life. Across supplements, toys, aftercare and even divination decks, a new generation of brands is closing long-ignored gaps — between pleasure and wellness, fantasy and function, science and sensuality, individuality and shared experience.

Ariana Rodriguez ·
opinion

How to Convert Fans Through Scarcity and Exclusivity

Nothing sparks fans’ ongoing desire in the long term like making them feel personally prioritized. It gives them a sense of belonging and sparks a level of loyalty that goes far beyond just loving your work. Forging that degree of connection, however, requires knowing how to employ two key tactics: scarcity and exclusivity.

Sara Star ·
profile

Viben's Kara Liburd on Building a Fulfilling Career in the Industry

“We work in an industry where trust, follow-through and service matter just as much as product quality,” declares Viben sales exec Kara Liburd. “Retailers today want analytics, marketing assets and deeper product knowledge, and brands are stepping up to provide that support.”

Colleen Godin ·
opinion

How to Reinvest Back Into Your Creator Business

Early in their careers, most creators necessarily focus on survival. Money goes toward basic expenses, equipment upgrades and keeping content flowing. Once income becomes more consistent, however, it’s time to begin thinking about growth and sustainability. How can you build something that lasts beyond the next release or trend?

Megan Stokes ·
profile

WoodRocket Delivers Classic Adult Fun With a Quirky, Modern Twist

What does it take to stand out in the industry these days? How about a “Live, Laugh, Cum” keychain?

Colleen Godin ·
profile

Efren Méndez Leads LoveStore Mexico With a Community-First Approach

Fifteen years ago, Efren Méndez and a friend walked into a sex shop. They were looking for nothing more than a few items for a party. Instead, the moment altered the direction of his career, and ultimately his life.

Jackie Backman ·
Show More