Social networks and blogging sites have become powerful tools that influence what people buy, according to the inaugural Nielsen Asia Pacific Media Report released on Wednesday.
About three in four people worldwide who use the internet have visited a social network or blog, spending an average of almost six hours a month on them, the report said.
An average of 32 per cent access social media sites from their workplaces and 31 per cent access it from their homes.
Online reviews have a major influence in buying electronics items, cosmetics, cars and food in China, India and Australia.
Of the seven biggest brands online globally, three are social media networking sites - Facebook, Wikipedia and YouTube, the report said.
According to Nielsen's findings, online product reviews are the third most trusted source of information that help consumers decide on purchasing a product.
