The Guangzhou Municipal Information Industry Office recently launched the first investigation related to Internet use in Guangzhou. The investigation covered a total of 11,200 households of which 1,200 were rural households. The investigation showed that, in 2007 70.1% of the households have personal computers and 64.8% of the households claim access to the Internet with 31,4% of the citizens indicating they are regular Internet users. The data for Guangzhou indicates category usage which is 19.1% higher than the average percentage nationwide. In urban areas, 94% have personal computers an increase of 11% compared with 2006.

According to the investigation, most Internet users log onto websites to obtain free information as well as to retrieve movies, music and information concerning education and everyday life. Computer games and online chats are also popular. It is yet not common for users to seek information or other data requiring payment, to publicize information or to shop on line.