Why Do Online Browsing Habits Favor iPhones And iOS Devices Over Android?

The iPod Touch is displayed at the Yerba Buena Center (Image credit: Getty Images via @daylife)

Akami's recent survey on browser trends has a number of interesting observations, but I want to zero in on just one trend, the mobile browser. Looking at the market share of Android against iOS (via Kantar Worldpanel), Google's mobile OS stands at around 60% share across the world, with iOS in 30%. But even with a 2 to 1 advantage, Android barely beats iOS in terms of mobile web browsers that actually go online.

With 38% of the mobile browsing market, Webkit is the leading browser, but mobile Safari accounts for 34% if you look at connections made over a cellular connect. Add in other networks such as using an office or personal wi-fi broadband connection, and Safari takes a 54% share, while Webkit drops to 27%.

There are a number of explanations behind this, and it's unfortunate that Akami's data does not go into more depth. The increase in share over Wi-fi is probably down to the wi-fi only iPads and iPod Touches going online; the decrease in Android is probably down to the plethora of devices that are sold as low-cost phones running Android that are used for calls and texts only; iOS has a much longer 'dwell time' for people surfing on iOS devices; and of course the numbers are going to be subject to some statistical error.

But through all the explanations there is a single line of thought. Android users are not as active and engaged with online activities as iOS users are. And when companies from start-ups to established players decide which platforms to target with their apps, their web services, and their marketing campaigns, they're going to go where the eyeballs are. If you follow where the money should be going, it should be focused on Apple.

Which creates a virtuous circle of engagement. People develop their tools for iOS because iOS users are more engaged and easier to monetise. And people are using iOS more because those tools are present. Android has some way to go to convert all their users into online opportunities for developers and the online mobile advertisers.

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