The peak for the 2000 service year occurred in August 2000: 111,173
So did the peak for 1999: 111,032.
This April's report is a fabulous failure in a couple of respects. Firstly the total publishers figure of 108,692 is hardly above the 12 month moving average (approx 107,500). Last year in April, 110,510 reported (a drop of 1,818, or 1.65%, year to year).
Secondly, last year there were 18,236 aux. pioneers; this year 15,272 (drop of 2,964, or 16.25%).
Lastly, the 2000 report showed an overall decline of 1%. This would have been worse if not for two very high months of reporting: April and August. As this report shows, this year the traditionally high reporting month of April has paste with barely a blip. The current 12 month total shows a decline of 0.38%, with the traditionally slower Summer months still to come. I'm smiling.
Expatbrit, freakin' out over stats again.