New report from content delivery network company Yunyao Company net Tuesday’s brief total solar eclipse brought people together, away from the internet and social media.
what happened: While many photos and videos of the total solar eclipse were taken and shared on social media, data from Cloudflare showed that internet traffic dropped within minutes.
In the United States, Internet traffic based on bytes transferred fell 8% from the same period last week, the report said. Traffic requests during the eclipse dropped 12% compared to the previous week.
Many states are in the path of a total solar eclipse, and some states are in the path of a total solar eclipse. Data from Cloudflare shows that internet traffic dropped more sharply in states along the path of the total eclipse.
Here are some of the states that saw the biggest drops in internet traffic during the eclipse compared to the same period the week before.
- Vermont: -60%
- Arkansas: -54%
- Indiana: -50%
- Maine: -48%
- Ohio: -40%
- Kentucky: -33%
- Michigan: -32%
- Missouri: -31%
- Oklahoma: -29%
- New York: -29%
Other states not in the direct path saw smaller drops in internet traffic, such as California and Florida, which saw declines of 9% and 7% respectively. Some states, including Washington, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota, saw no changes in internet traffic during the eclipse.
Cloudflare reports also show that Mexico and Canada experienced a decrease in traffic as the two countries experienced a total solar eclipse.
RELATED LINK: Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Where and How to View the ‘Ring of Fire’ Safely
Why it’s important: According to Cloudflare, the total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, will be the most visible total solar eclipse in the contiguous United States until the next total solar eclipse on August 23, 2044.
Many workers and schools stopped what they were doing to experience the eclipse, which was evident in the internet traffic data.
Internet searches for eye pain surged following the event as sales of solar eclipse glasses surged.
Cloudflare reports that “the Internet is a human game” and that key events related to humans and nature can have a huge impact on Internet traffic.
Data previously shared by Benzinga shows that of the last 13 total solar eclipses visible in the United States, 10 have been accompanied by gains in the Dow Jones Industrial Average, which is driven by SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF Trust There.
This includes a 25.1% increase in 2017 and a 44% increase in 1954. The three years of decline were 1923, 1930 and 1932.
Some companies may also benefit from the total solar eclipse, including airlines and hotels, which see increased bookings in areas associated with the eclipse’s path.
Airbnb Inc. ABNB Data shows that rental homes located near the path of totality are seeing a surge in bookings and searches, making them stand out as potential winners.
Even for a brief moment, a total solar eclipse allows people to get outdoors, enjoy nature, and watch the moon pass between the Earth and the sun. Americans put down their computers and smartphones to take photos of the event.
Read next: High-flying solar eclipse adventure: Secure your seat with this airline for the ultimate solar spectacle
Image generated using artificial intelligence by Midjourney.