The phrase describes a selected knowledge assortment methodology: a survey performed by America On-line (AOL) involving people who use the web. It signifies that the information or findings introduced originate from a research the place individuals have been recruited from, or in any other case recognized as, customers of the web companies supplied by AOL. For instance, an announcement like “In response to knowledge gathered from a questionnaire distributed through AOL to its customers” exemplifies this.
Such surveys have been important, notably through the rise of the web, as they provided insights into the behaviors, preferences, and demographics of an rising consumer base. Within the early days of the web, AOL held a considerable market share, which means its surveys might present a beneficial, albeit probably biased, snapshot of the broader web inhabitants. Understanding the origin and context of information helps to evaluate its reliability and applicability within the current day, contemplating adjustments in web demographics and the evolution of survey methodologies.
