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Industry News

 

Half of Americans Are Overwhelmed by E-Mail

Tuesday December 2, 2008

 

Philadelphia — Dec. 2
More than 40 percent of the American public admit to feelings of guilt at failing to keep on top of e-mails from friends and family, according to a survey conducted by MaCorr Research and released today by GMX, the free e-mail service for more than 11 million active users.

From those surveyed, an alarming 55 percent admitted that they were overwhelmed with e-mails from personal contacts. The survey of more than 1,000 U.S. consumers also found that Americans are heavily reliant on free e-mail services, with the average individual using two separate personal accounts checking them several times a day.

While e-mail-related stress is normally seen as a workplace problem, the GMX “Personal E-mail Matters” study found that an alarming number of Americans are suffering from negative emotions caused by a failure to cope with their personal e-mails. More than half (55 percent) expressed concern that they could not keep up to date with personal e-mails. The results of individuals not keeping up with e-mail include accounts closing, losing contact with friends, missing birthdays and forgetting to pay bills.

Eva Heil, managing director at GMX, said, "Our research shows that the pressure to keep on top of personal e-mail is a major cause for concern for a great many Americans, who place a high importance on keeping in touch with friends and family. It is therefore all the more important for providers to make e-mail management as easy and effective as possible." She criticizes that common Web clients do not offer similar mod cons to those of office e-mail programs, which could, if providers would invest more into the usability of their products.

The research lends weight to the argument that e-mail-related angst is just as prevalent at home as in the workplace. Of the 60 percent surveyed who e-mail as part of their employment, more than half (53 percent) wished that they could keep as up to date with personal e-mail as well as they do with work e-mail.

Furthermore, the public does not appear entirely satisfied with the free e-mail services they are using. Many consumers find components of their free e-mail service challenging from aspects such as remembering multiple passwords (42 percent) to checking multiple accounts (40 percent). The biggest technical challenge for users of free e-mail services appears to be SPAM, which causes regular stress for 58 percent of us.

Heil added, "How we manage our personal e-mails is as important to consider as any work e-mail issue. It pays all around to review whether your current e-mail platform is working as effectively as you need it to."

For more info: http://www.gmx.com