India is rushing towards digitalization. It is the largest spender in digital technologies and is fourth after the US, Europe, and China. The government’s Digital India Initiative, established in 2015, has extended internet accessibility through a variety of programs. This means the entire country, from urban to rural, has adopted UPI (Unified Payments Interface), digital lockers, biometric identification, and many more.
This expanded internet access in the country and affordable 4G and 5G plans everywhere have increased cashless transactions and online shopping. According to reports, there are 820 million active internet users, including people and businesses, who use technology for connecting, automation, buying, and knowledge.
Statistics on Rapid Digitalization in India
- A report predicts that India’s digital economy will reach USD 1 trillion by 2028.
- Retail digital payment has increased by 50.8% between 2017 and 2023. This has led to large-scale digital adaptation in food, education, healthcare, travel, e-commerce, and finance sectors.
- India has become the second-largest Internet market amongst which mobile users are dominating.
- According to a survey, India had approximately 751 million active internet users in 2024, with 461 of them active on social media platforms.
Rise of Digital Marketing in India
With the enhanced internet usage by the population, it has become mandatory for businesses to build their online presence. That is why nowadays every company is adopting digital marketing. Digital marketing has made building connections with people and spreading brand awareness a lot easier.
The large number of buyers in the country are youth who are spending most of their time on social media platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, X, etc. This is why companies are trying to attract target audiences by showcasing their brand on these platforms.
In today’s world, the consumer is the king, and that is why many businesses are taking into consideration user-generated content (UGC). The reviews and feedback posted by the customers are of great importance for building the brand’s trust and credibility.
In an interview mentioned in the Economic Times, it was said that India is fast adopting AI, and many companies are employing AI in their businesses to understand consumer behavior and are adjusting their strategies accordingly. Now let’s see below how AI is helping.
AI is The Future
AI (Artificial Intelligence) is gaining importance in the future as it is making things easier for people and businesses. It scans a large amount of data in a very short time, which aids businesses in coping with the always-changing consumer behavior.
Apart from its immense use in digital marketing, it is also used greatly in education, healthcare, agriculture, cybersecurity, and in fact in everyday life as well. According to McKinsey, AI models are now integrated to generate ad campaigns and drug discovery. This states the point that AI is expected to play a transformative role across a wide range of industries.
India a key Market
According to industry experts in India, the country is becoming an increasingly important market for startups. It was added that with increasing internet usage in the country, the market growth will keep on increasing as well. Different platforms like WhatsApp and Meta will have more expanded markets in upcoming years in this country.
Google’s CEO has talked about investments in three fields in India—payments, device manufacturing, and AI. Along with this, two months ago, Samsung Electronics’s vice chairman, CEO, and head of the device visited India, signaling the growing importance of the country towards manufacturing smartphones, refrigerators, and tablets.
Seize The Opportunities of This New Wave
Digitalization is driving economic growth in India, and globally, the country is now recognized as a growing market for various businesses. After two waves focused on big tech players and advanced online connectivity, this next phase of the digital revolution is set to transform India’s marketing landscape.
With widespread internet accessibility and India being an excellent marketplace, small businesses and startups have a unique advantage. This new era of digitalization can be the key to success for all businesses.
