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The size distribution of websites

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  • Schmeiser, Steven

Abstract

The upper tail of the size distribution of websites follows a power law with slope close to one (Zipf’s law). This finding is robust to measuring website size by unique visitors and page views, and holds for the United States, Germany, and the world. Web traffic in China has less support for a power law.

Suggested Citation

  • Schmeiser, Steven, 2015. "The size distribution of websites," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 128(C), pages 62-68.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecolet:v:128:y:2015:i:c:p:62-68
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econlet.2015.01.019
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jan Eeckhout, 2004. "Gibrat's Law for (All) Cities," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 94(5), pages 1429-1451, December.
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    7. Xavier Gabaix, 1999. "Zipf's Law for Cities: An Explanation," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 114(3), pages 739-767.
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    9. Gabaix, Xavier & Ioannides, Yannis M., 2004. "The evolution of city size distributions," Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, in: J. V. Henderson & J. F. Thisse (ed.), Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 53, pages 2341-2378, Elsevier.
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D3 - Microeconomics - - Distribution
    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance

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