Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 205

Mary Meeker’s amazing Internet Trends 2017

Each year, Mary Meeker of venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caulfield Byers produces a report on global internet trends and technology. It has become the 'must-read' for technology and business, and the 2017 Report fills 355 slides (up from 213 last year).

There is so much in it, including global macro trends, it’s almost impossible to summarise unless a single topic is chosen. It was delivered by Meeker at the Code Conference in a rapid-fire 33 minute presentation but she says the material is meant to be read, not presented.

It’s worth flicking through the 2017 Internet Trends Report in full, but here are the 'focus topics':

 

 

  • Online Ads and Commerce: A review of current advertising trends shows an increased focus on the measurability of online ads and the interconnectedness of ads and commerce (slides 10-79).

 

  • Interactive Games: Evolving and driving innovation, becoming leading spectator sports with growing use of games for education, learning and driving the consumer and tech landscape (slides 80-150).

 

  • Media Distribution Disruption: Digital streaming businesses have changed the media game through scale and personalisation. Consumers want choice but are concerned about privacy (slides 151-177).

 

  • Healthcare: Digitisation of patient data, pharmaceutical testing and medical records lead to more accurate diagnosis (slides 288-319).

 

  • China: Mobile user engagement is creating an evolution in mobile-centric entertainment and financial technology, plus leading on-demand transportation (slides 193-231).

 

  • India: Behind China, but leapfrogging to new technologies and 1.2 billion people with digital identity profiles (slides 232-287).

 

Almost every business is affected in some way by the changes Meeker describes. There are now 3.4 billion internet users worldwide, growing at 10% a year. Online advertising is rapidly increasingly, with mobile gaining share over desktops. Internet advertising exceeded television advertising for the first time in 2017, with an incredible 85% of ad growth going to Facebook or Google. Meeker describes the type of ads that work on different platforms.

The future will be about pictures rather than words, with algorithms interpreting content. Machine learning is improving rapidly, and real-time online customer conversations are rising.

There’s an incredible rise of global interactive gaming, which Meeker describes as the 'motherlode' of tech product evolution and learning. There are now an unbelievable 2.6 billion gamers in the world versus 100 million in 1995. It is now mainstream, and the average age of gamers is 35 years. The games are not all trivial, as many involve planning workflows, resource efficiency, social connections, interactive learning, personal finance, esports and even surgery.

Other sections in the presentation are on media, music, health, video, augmented reality, retailing, China and India. Phew … it’s hard not to be overloaded with data.

And what about financial services? Try slide 223 for rapid take-up of payments, wealth management, financing and insurance and hundreds of millions of online users.

internet trends report 2017

If you don’t have time to scan the 355 slides because you’re too busy in the present or worrying about the past, at least look to the future for half an hour by locking yourself in a room with a laptop and watch her presentation. It may reframe how you think about the coming years.

 

Graham Hand is Managing Editor of Cuffelinks.

4 Comments
Chris
June 08, 2017

Agreed. The best communicators are those who take a complex idea and make it simple. 355 pages to me seems far too much and an each way bet on everything (in case you are wrong and someone reminds you of it 10 years later). I wrote a PhD thesis and that was 418 pages.

That, over the course of a year for delivery on material for the next year, is a page every day.

Kevin
June 08, 2017

Strange she and most Financial Planners, Advisors and bankers don't know or pretend to not know, or talk down Digital Currencies. Which are making multi millionaires before our very eyes . Ethereum, Bitcoin etc , supported positively by Putin, Obama, Gates, Branson, Forbes , big businesses etc. why? I'd say these folks incomes get affected. Badly.

Ramon Vasquez
June 20, 2017

MMMMMh..... Joking aside;

I wonder how many old-time Chinese business owners and managers are still operating exclusively with their single trusty abacus?

I recall a business owner in Singapore, some forty years ago, who ran six large ships and a rice importing business with ONLY an abacus operated by his wife.

Q.E.D. as used to be said. Ramon

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

Mary Meeker’s 2019 Internet Trends Report

Trends in internet, technology and devices

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Are LICs licked?

LICs are continuing to struggle with large discounts and frustrated investors are wondering whether it’s worth holding onto them. This explains why the next 6-12 months will be make or break for many LICs.

Retirement income expectations hit new highs

Younger Australians think they’ll need $100k a year in retirement - nearly double what current retirees spend. Expectations are rising fast, but are they realistic or just another case of lifestyle inflation?

5 charts every retiree must see…

Retirement can be daunting for Australians facing financial uncertainty. Understand your goals, longevity challenges, inflation impacts, market risks, and components of retirement income with these crucial charts.

Why super returns may be heading lower

Five mega trends point to risks of a more inflation prone and lower growth environment. This, along with rich market valuations, should constrain medium term superannuation returns to around 5% per annum.

The hidden property empire of Australia’s politicians

With rising home prices and falling affordability, political leaders preach reform. But asset disclosures show many are heavily invested in property - raising doubts about whose interests housing policy really protects.

Preparing for aged care

Whether for yourself or a family member, it’s never too early to start thinking about aged care. This looks at the best ways to plan ahead, as well as the changes coming to aged care from November 1 this year.

Latest Updates

Shares

Four best-ever charts for every adviser and investor

In any year since 1875, if you'd invested in the ASX, turned away and come back eight years later, your average return would be 120% with no negative periods. It's just one of the must-have stats that all investors should know.

Our experts on Jim Chalmers' super tax backdown

Labor has caved to pressure on key parts of the Division 296 tax, though also added some important nuances. Here are six experts’ views on the changes and what they mean for you.        

Superannuation

When you can withdraw your super

You can’t freely withdraw your super before 65. You need to meet certain legal conditions tied to your age, whether you’ve retired, or if you're using a transition to retirement option. 

Retirement

A national guide to concession entitlements

Navigating retirement concessions is unnecessarily complex. This outlines a new project to help older Australians find what they’re entitled to - quickly, clearly, and with less stress. 

Property

The psychology of REIT investing

Market shocks and rallies test every investor’s resolve. This explores practical strategies to stay grounded - resisting panic in downturns and FOMO in booms - while focusing on long-term returns. 

Fixed interest

Bonds are copping a bad rap

Bonds have had a tough few years and many investors are turning to other assets to diversify their portfolios. However, bonds can still play a valuable role as a source of income and risk mitigation.

Strategy

Is it time to fire the consultants?

The NSW government is cutting the use of consultants. Universities have also been criticized for relying on consultants as cover for restructuring plans. But are consultants really the problem they're made out to be?

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.