Web nets another counter

A new system of measuring internet traffic has hit the market.

The Hitwise system measures internet service providers (except for Xtra) whose networks capture patterns of use.

It will compete with Nielsen/NetRatings, a panel-based measurement system, and Red Sheriff, which measures traffic to customer sites.

Hitwise extracts from service providers a list of websites visited daily then ranks them, including pages requested, visits and average length.

Originator Adrian Giles says the system is geared more to help website owners than advertisers, although "both can, and do use the information.

"We can provide information on 100,000 websites. It's a big difference from a report each month on the top 15 sites."