Google Year in Search: Most Indians used YouTube to learn something new, explore personal finances options

The second big theme ‘Local first’ highlights the increase in the demand & consumption.

By Glynda Alves, ET Bureau | Apr 09, 2021, 09.04 AM IST

The last 365 days have been unlike any other we’ve had to experience. Uncertainty and adaptability needed to go hand-in-hand. Digital adoption was a way many of us survived with our work, social life and even just grocery shopping. Google’s annual Year in Search report for the past year confirms the geographical expansion of new digital users in tier 2/3/4 locations and rural India.

The searches for learning went beyond academics, and focused on learning for career progression, upskilling, entrepreneurship, and supplementary income, with four in five people coming to YouTube to learn something new. Users were also concerned about the future of the economy and how it will impact their personal finances, and therefore, people were seeking more control over their future - with searches related to personal finance surging to a 50 per cent YoY (Year on Year) growth for both “invest” and ‘buy mutual funds’.

Vocal for local

The second big theme ‘Local first’ highlights the increase in the demand and consumption of both local language content and local information. Consequently, the year saw Google Translate being used over 17 Billion times to translate web pages into Indic languages. Additionally, over 90 per cent of YouTube users preferred to watch content in Indic languages. The year also saw a spike in demand for “local news” in order to stay tuned into developments in users’ immediate surroundings.

Some of the top emerging trends from the Year in Search report include:

Learning anything, anywhere

140 per cent growth in searches from across India for “work from home jobs” over 2019
Over 85 per cent YoY growth in searches for “online course”, compared to flat growth in the previous YoY
Over 50 per cent YoY growth in Google searches for “certificate course”;
65+ per cent YoY growth in searches for “how to sell online”;
14x YoY increase in YouTube searches for “ऑनलाइन क्लास” (online class)

Local-first

Over 90% of YouTube users prefer watching content in Indic languages
People used Google Translate 17 billion times to render web pages in Indian languages
1/3rd of Google Assistant users in India are using it in an Indic language
80% YoY increase in searches for “local news”
4 out of 5 most searched video series in 2020 were Indian content
1.5x YoY increase in YouTube searches for “खेती”, compared to flat growth in the previous year

Value redefined

50% of auto consumers — for both 4-wheelers and 2-wheelers — would consider “buying online” if given an option
30% YoY growth in searches for “second-hand car”
70% of parents interested in online children’s courses are willing to pay for it if they find it useful
More than 45% YoY growth in searches for “Online store”, compared to flat growth in previous year

Safety Nets, Cookie Control & Secure DNS: Follow These Simple Google Chrome Hacks To Keep Data Safe

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Google Chrome, in all probability, might be the most commonly-used browser, but it has been at the centre of criticism due to controversial changes, security problems and data concerns.

From Chrome 79 accidentally deleting data for Android users in December 2019, Chrome 80’s ‘high level vulnerabilities’ that put data at risk to the controversial deep linking upgrade in February 2020 that allegedly compromised on privacy, Chrome has often left its users worried about their safety and security.

However, Chrome has now put all the privacy and security concerns to rest with its new upgrade. A blog post on Google’s website titled, ‘More intuitive privacy and security controls in Chrome’, breaks down the security updates in detail. Here are some of them: