Nearly half of Americans online use instant messaging on the internet, according to a new survey by the Pew Internet and American Life Project. That amounts to 53 million people. Twelve million Americans use IM more than e-mail. The survey finds that AOL Instant Messenger, Yahoo Instant Messenger and other similar software is especially popular among younger adults and the tech savvy. However, Pew researcher Amanda Lenhart says IM still has a ways to go in the workplace.