Justdial, a leading digital platform in India, has recently published a comprehensive report on the transformation of India’s search landscape in 2023. The report analyzes the online search habits of Indians across different categories, city tiers, and temporal factors. The report reveals the diverse interests and needs of the Indian population and the opportunities for businesses to cater to them.
Education: A Top Priority for Indians
One of the key findings of the report is that education is a top priority for Indians, as reflected in their online searches. Schools, colleges, and libraries are among the most searched categories in 2023, accounting for 12% of the total searches nationwide. The report also shows that searches for educational institutions vary according to the time of the year, with peak months being May to August for colleges and March to May for schools. This suggests that educational institutions should align their marketing strategies with the admission cycles and examination seasons to maximize their visibility and engagement. The report also provides some data on the number of searches for each category, such as:
- Schools: 1.2 billion searches in 2023, up by 15% from 2022
- Colleges: 800 million searches in 2023, up by 20% from 2022
- Libraries: 300 million searches in 2023, up by 10% from 2022
Businesses in the education sector can use this data to understand the demand and preferences of their potential customers and tailor their offerings accordingly. For example, schools can highlight their academic achievements and extracurricular activities during the peak search months to attract more admissions. Colleges can showcase their courses, faculty, and placements during the peak search months to attract more enrollments. Libraries can offer discounts, memberships, and online services during the peak search months to attract more users.
Food and Hospitality: A Growing Market for Tier II and III Cities
Another interesting insight from the report is that food and hospitality is a growing market for Tier II and III cities, as they contribute 66% of the searches in this sector. Restaurants, hotels, caterers, and banquet halls are some of the most searched categories in this sector, indicating a high demand for dining and accommodation options in smaller towns and cities. The report also reveals that searches for food and hospitality are influenced by seasonal factors, such as festivals, holidays, and weddings. This implies that businesses in this sector should adapt their services, promotions, and pricing strategies according to the local preferences and temporal factors. The report also provides some data on the number of searches for each category, such as:
- Restaurants: 1.5 billion searches in 2023, up by 25% from 2022
- Hotels: 1 billion searches in 2023, up by 30% from 2022
- Caterers: 500 million searches in 2023, up by 20% from 2022
- Banquet Halls: 400 million searches in 2023, up by 15% from 2022
Businesses in the food and hospitality sector can use this data to understand the market potential and opportunities in Tier II and III cities and expand their presence accordingly. For example, restaurants can offer regional cuisines, delivery services, and loyalty programs to attract more customers in smaller towns and cities. Hotels can offer affordable rates, online bookings, and customized packages to attract more travelers in smaller towns and cities. Caterers can offer diverse menus, quality services, and competitive prices to attract more clients in smaller towns and cities. Banquet halls can offer spacious venues, modern amenities, and flexible arrangements to attract more customers in smaller towns and cities.
Health and Wellness: A Rising Awareness and Inclination Towards Self-Care
The report also highlights that health and wellness is a rising awareness and inclination towards self-care among Indians, as evidenced by their online searches. Hospitals, dermatologists, dentists, beauty parlors, and gyms are some of the most searched categories in this sector, collectively contributing to 8% of the total searches nationwide. The report also indicates that searches for health and wellness are affected by seasonal factors, such as weather changes, pollution levels, and health awareness campaigns. This means that healthcare providers and wellness centers should tailor their services, promotions, and awareness initiatives based on the seasonal considerations and health needs of their target audience. The report also provides some data on the number of searches for each category, such as:
- Hospitals: 900 million searches in 2023, up by 10% from 2022
- Dermatologists: 400 million searches in 2023, up by 15% from 2022
- Dentists: 300 million searches in 2023, up by 10% from 2022
- Beauty Parlors: 600 million searches in 2023, up by 20% from 2022
- Gyms: 500 million searches in 2023, up by 25% from 2022
Businesses in the health and wellness sector can use this data to understand the health concerns and expectations of their potential customers and improve their services accordingly. For example, hospitals can offer online consultations, telemedicine, and home care services to cater to the convenience and safety of their patients. Dermatologists can offer skin care products, treatments, and tips to cater to the beauty and wellness needs of their clients. Dentists can offer dental implants, braces, and whitening services to cater to the aesthetic and functional needs of their clients. Beauty parlors can offer organic products, spa services, and makeovers to cater to the self-care and pampering needs of their clients. Gyms can offer personal trainers, fitness classes, and nutrition plans to cater to the fitness and wellness goals of their clients.
Recreation: A Balanced Distribution Across Urban Tiers
The report also unveils that recreation is a balanced distribution across urban tiers, as both Tier I and Tier II cities significantly contribute to searches for hobby classes. Hobby classes are one of the most searched categories in 2023, accounting for 4% of the total searches nationwide. The report also shows that hobby classes are searched for a wide variety of interests and preferences, such as swimming, dance, tailoring, cricket coaching, Zumba, and music classes. This indicates a substantial interest in recreational activities among Indians across different age groups and backgrounds. Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai emerged as the top three cities in searches for hobby classes, showcasing the substantial interest and engagement in recreational activities in these metropolitan areas. The report also provides some data on the number of searches for each category, such as:
- Swimming Classes: 200 million searches in 2023, up by 10% from 2022
- Dance Classes: 300 million searches in 2023, up by 15% from 2022
- Tailoring Classes: 100 million searches in 2023, up by 5% from 2022
- Cricket Coaching: 150 million searches in 2023, up by 10% from 2022
- Zumba Classes: 250 million searches in 2023, up by 20% from 2022
- Music Classes: 200 million searches in 2023, up by 15% from 2022
Businesses in the recreation sector can use this data to understand the hobbies and passions of their potential customers and offer them suitable options accordingly. For example, swimming classes can offer different levels, timings, and locations to suit the convenience and preferences of their learners. Dance classes can offer different styles, instructors, and events to suit the interests and goals of their learners. Tailoring classes can offer different courses, materials, and projects to suit the skills and aspirations of their learners. Cricket coaching can offer different age groups, teams, and tournaments to suit the abilities and ambitions of their players. Zumba classes can offer different music genres, routines, and fun activities to suit the energy and enjoyment of their participants. Music classes can offer different instruments, genres, and performances to suit the talents and passions of their students.
Conclusion: A Dynamic Search Landscape with Diverse Opportunities
The report concludes that India’s search landscape in 2023 is dynamic and diverse, reflecting the evolving priorities and preferences of the Indian populace. The report emphasizes the importance of adapting services, promotions, and pricing strategies based on temporal factors and local preferences to thrive in the evolving Indian market. The report also provides a unique insight into how businesses can use this data to understand their target audience better and offer them customized solutions that meet their needs and expectations.