Metrics firm Hitwise enters U.S.

Australian Web metrics company Hitwise on Monday said it officially launched its service in the United States, adding competition to an industry dominated by Net measurement firms ComScore Networks and Nielsen/NetRatings. Hitwise said its service is focused on competitive market intelligence. Unlike other analytics companies, Hitwise has partnerships with Internet service providers around the world to monitor Web surfer behavior at work and at home, and through various connection speeds. The company also measures Web usage from a panel of people who have agreed to participate in its studies. Hitwise analyzes 10 million Internet users in the United States and has data on the activity of 13 million people in its areas of operation.

With the U.S. launch, Hitwise opened offices in New York, and added to operations in Melbourne, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Singapore.