Longer search queries, averaging five to more than eight words in length, increased an average of 2% between August and September 2009, while the longest searches, of eight or more words, increased 6%, according to the latest analysis by Experian Hitwise.

The same time period showed that shorter search queries - those averaging one to four words long - were flat from month to month. Searches of one word comprised the majority of searches, amounting to 24.32% of all queries.

The continued trend toward increasing search-query length was first reported earlier this year, and could potentially be the result of growing sophistication in internet searching habits. Additionally, these longer and more detailed searches may now be  necessary to find more specific information amid growing web clutter.