Our internet usage patterns are starting to exhibit a seasonal rhythm, according to the Online Publishers Association. School lets out and kids flock to IM to reach friends with more free time. Reading the news is impacted by the amount of news to read. I’m surprised to see that search is such a small proportion of our time. And the low amount of time spent on ecommerce, I think, reflects the fact that the internet speeds up the purchase cycle.

Link: Online Publishers Association: Press Releases.

Share of time spent online on Content grew 2.5%, from 36.0% in May 2005 to 36.9% in June 2005, likely driven — at least in part — by summer vacation planning based on increases in time spent at travel and weather-related Web sites. The ongoing popularity of online music entertainment also contributed, as did several high-profile news and sports events, such as the revelation of Deep Throat’s identity, the French Open tennis tournament, and the U.S. Open golf tournament.

Communications also experienced a slight gain, growing 0.7% from 41.0% in May 2005 to 41.3% in June 2005, and remained the share leader across all categories. The increase in Communications was primarily driven by an increase in IM activity, which could be attributable, in part, to students’ summer vacations.

Search registered the greatest month-over-month decline on a percentage basis (-8.5%). Commerce also registered a significant month-over-month decline of 4.9%. The data also revealed similar trends in the May to June time period one year ago, with Commerce and Search experiencing month-over-month declines in share of time online, and Communications and Content experiencing gains. This important finding shows that consumer behavior is exhibiting a certain level of consistency and seasonality, as reflected in the Internet Activity Index.