Google Australia delivered customers and businesses an estimated $53 billion in benefits, according to new research prepared by economic consultancy AlphaBeta.
According to Google’s annual Economic Impact Report consumers receive $14 billion in benefits in the form of productivity, convenience and information, while businesses are delivered $39 billion in value.
Businesses particularly enjoy making connections with new customers using Google’s products and services, according to the report. The research suggests that 97 per cent of these business benefits are experienced by non-technology sectors, while 60 per cent goes to small and medium-sized enterprises.
Customers, meanwhile, save five days a year using Google Search, while drivers save 5.6 hours a year with Google Maps.
Additionally, Australian app developers earned $639 million through Google Play.
“It’s been inspiring to see what businesses across the country have been able to do with Google’s tools and services – reaching new customers, advertising effectively where they couldn’t before and making use of new digital skills,” Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Mel Silva [pictured] said.
“I think people will be surprised that the vast majority of Google’s benefits are helping industries outside of the technology sector – like retail, hospitality and restaurants, construction and professional services.
“Australia has ambitions to be a leading digital economy and Google is pleased to be supporting that ambition. Google started its first Australian office with one person in a Sydney lounge room in 2002, since then we’ve grown to support 118,000 thousand jobs across the country and some of our greatest innovations have been created here, like Google Maps – we are proud of the significant role we play in the nation’s economy.”
As Google continues to debate the proposed News Media Bargaining Code, it has argued that such a code does not take into account the financial benefits its services deliver customers and businesses.
Previously, Google has said it will be consumers that will ultimately suffer if the proposed changes are turned into law.
