Google's $53 billion impact in Australia
Today, I’m pleased to launch Google’s 2020 Economic Impact Report - a look at our role in Australia which shows we’re providing businesses and our users with a combined $53 billion in benefits every year.
Key findings:
1.3 million businesses receive $39 billion in benefits through increased revenues, millions of connections with customers and greater efficiencies, saving time and money
Consumers receive $14 billion in benefits via productivity, convenience and access to information
Search saves users almost 5 days a year, drivers save 5.6 hours per year using Google Maps
Australian app developers earned $639 million through Google Play reaching 1 billion users globally
60% go to small to medium businesses; 90% of benefits go to non-technology industries
Google’s economic impact in Australia
Google started our first Australian office in a Sydney lounge room almost twenty years ago and in that time there’s been incredible change. Our team in 2002 - just one person at the time - has now grown to be 1,800 strong and by enabling business expansion, our digital services like Google Ads and Google Play support an additional 116,200 jobs across the country. And many of our products, which were simply ideas back then, have grown to become an important part of the everyday lives of millions of Australians.
In all of that time, there’s never been a year with so much change as we’ve just seen in 2020. The impacts of the pandemic and its effects on businesses has been overwhelming.
But at the same time, it’s been inspiring to watch the way businesses across Australia have managed those challenges to cope. Our Economic Impact Report shows how businesses have increasingly moved online in this difficult year to provide vital services and succeed.
As our report demonstrates, there are now more than 1.3 million businesses in Australia using Google’s free tools and services-to reach new customers, advertise effectively where they couldn’t before and make use of new digital skills.
Helping businesses stay connected during the coronavirus pandemic
One of those companies using Google’s tools is Bliss Gifts and Homewares, based on the South Coast of New South Wales. Early in 2020, the business was impacted by the devastating bushfire crisis before the coronavirus pandemic compounded the situation.
For a small business like Bliss located in a tourist town, the effects of the bushfires and COVID should have been devastating. But due to the fact they were already online and with the help of tools like Google Ads, owner Melissa Stone was remarkably able to not only grow the business but saw their revenue jump by 70% during COVID. Bliss’ online presence is now 90 per cent of the business with the help of Google’s tools.
All over Australia, businesses like Melissa’s shared a total of $39 billion in benefits through increased revenues, millions of connections with customers and greater efficiencies, saving time and money
90 per cent of those benefits went to industries outside of technology - like retail, construction and professional services. And 60 per cent were shared among small to medium businesses.
The report shows Australian app developers earned around $639 million through Google Play, reaching more than one billion users worldwide.
Helping our users save time and access important information
Google’s products also provided $14 billion in annual benefits to consumers through increased productivity, convenience and improved access to information.
On average, Australians using Google Search save almost five days a year thanks to access to instantaneous information, while Australian drivers using Google Maps saved 5.6 hours on roads each year by optimising trips through our technology.
We’re humbled by these findings and have been inspired by the resilience and spirit of the people in businesses across the country. Australia has ambitions to be a leading digital economy and we look forward to continuing to support that ambition.
You can read more about these benefits here.
