Sign in or 
| Version | User | Scope of changes |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 30 2009, 4:41 PM EDT | shubhodeep_pal | 627 words deleted, 1 photo deleted |
| Oct 7 2009, 10:26 AM EDT | shubhodeep_pal |
Changes
Key: Additions Deletions
Other pages in this section are: India: Fact File India: Mobile Landscape India: Internet LandscapeExecutive SummaryThis Wiki explores the social media scene in India – one of the largest countries in the world. India boasts a population of 1.1 billion, and is poised to overtake China within the next two decades to clinch the position of being the most populated country globally. With such a large untapped market, it is no wonder that many companies are starting to sit up and pay attention to the numerous opportunities that India offers. The social media scene is certainly no exception to this trend, and businesses are increasingly seeking ways to engage the Indian online population with the help of social media in the belief that it is the “Next Big Thing”.At first glance, the prospects appear rather dreary for social media in India. Secondary research has shown that India has one of the lowest internet penetration rates in the world, presently standing at 3.0%, which is half of that of Algeria’s and a third of Azerbaijan’s. Also, 0.32% of the entire Indian population subscribes to a broadband connection, which essentially means that only this meager percentage has high-speed access to the Internet, and is more likely to use video streaming, online gaming and other such functions typical of the Web 2.0 tools that require high-speed connectivity. What is heartening, though, is the growing number of Indian software developers creating their own social media tools that India can call its own. This trend of developing software for Indians to use within the social media realm is certainly a step in the right direction of increasing the adoption rate of social media in India.For many companies, venturing into the social media scene in a foreign country is not unlike venturing into the dark unknown. Our Wiki takes a close look at the little potholes that businesses should be wary of when treading into this nascent territory. We also offer some tips, based on our observations of the current social media scene, on what businesses can do to enhance their interaction with consumers and stakeholders alike using the various tools available. The social media landscape in India is growing as more people discover its potential and the convenience that it offers to users. While it is certainly an exciting one to explore, it is still highly segregated geographically. Even though the Internet is heralded as the tool that transcends physical boundaries, the interaction in the social media sphere is very much contained within major cities. This is probably due not just to accessibility to technology but the vast differences in culture and language as well. Major social media hubs currently include New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and the up-and-coming Pune. Bloggers are highly conversant within their own cities, and often link to each other’s blogs. Also, some bloggers from different professions have come together to form collectives to provide the “best” information possible to the Indian blogosphere. Ultimately, for social media to take off in any country, a tipping point coupled with a critical mass must be reached in order for those tools to be effective and provide some form of return, not just for the user, but also for the businesses that have adopted them. Even more importantly, this critical mass must be willing to participate and fully embrace the capabilities of each social media tool. India is fast approaching that horizon, and we wait with bated breath to see what new treasures can be unearthed as its social media scene continues to grow.The future for blogging in India seems bright. Explore these next few pages to find out data on the second most populated country !!(Click here for a downloadable version of our executive summary.)
