Overview

A new report finds that 74% of smartphone owners use their phone to get real-time location-based information, and 18% use a geosocial service to “check in” to certain locations or share their location with friends.

Over the past year, smartphone ownership among American adults has risen from 35% of adults in 2011 to 46% in 2012. This means that the overall proportion of U.S. adults who get location-based information has almost doubled over that time period, from 23% in May 2011 to 41% in February 2012. The percentage of adults who use geosocial services like Foursquare has likewise risen from 4% in 2011 to 10% in 2012.

About the Survey

The results in this report for adults age 18 and older are based on data from telephone interviews conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International from January 20 to February 19, 2012, among a nationally representative sample of 2,253 adults, age 18 and older.  Telephone interviews were conducted in English and Spanish by landline and cell phone. For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling is plus or minus 2.3 percentage points.

The results in this report for teens ages 12-17 are based on data from telephone interviews conducted by Princeton Survey Research Associates International from April 19 to July 14, 2011, among a nationally representative sample of 799 teens ages 12 to 17 years old and their parents living in the continental United States. Telephone interviews were conducted in English and Spanish by landline and cell phone. Statistical results are weighted to correct known demographic discrepancies. For results based on the total sample, one can say with 95% confidence that the error attributable to sampling is plus or minus 4.8 percentage points.