Google searches mirror new normal: WFH jobs, e-courses

Internet search queries — “work from home jobs”, “online course”, “how to sell online” and “certificate course” — were among those recording highest growth in India during 2020 compared with 2019, according to Google’s annual ‘Year in Search’ report for 2020.

While the query “work from home jobs” saw a 140 per cent growth in 2020 over 2019 across India, the phrase “online course” saw 85 per cent growth. Searches for “certificate course” saw 50 per cent on-year growth and “how to sell online” saw over 65 per cent increase in searches.

On March 25, 2020, the Central government implemented a lockdown that forced companies to shut their offices, and this compelled staff to work from home.