Microsoft, YouTube, Facebook, Google shake down the Indian language tree

Digital platforms look to engage brands and users beyond multi-lingual entertainment content

Large digital platforms such as Google, Microsoft, YouTube and Facebook have stepped up their efforts to engage the non-English speaking internet user by speaking in multiple tongues for a few years now. However entertainment is still the driving force behind much of the user engagement. Now many are looking at ways to lock in the next wave of internet users with language support for critical services, thereby increasing user stickiness and brand engagement on their platforms.

“We’re making technology use the language of people, and not requiring people to first learn the traditional language of technology,” said Meetul Patel, COO, Microsoft