What is India searching? What are potential opportunities?
The construction industry in India is undergoing a slow but steady shift, driven by rapid digital transformation and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies. Based on Google Trends and market research data, and using Perplexity Pro, we have tried to analyze the key trends from 2024 based on search results and published market reports to help construction professionals and tech entrepreneurs strategize for 2025.
Here’s what these statistics reveal and how they can shape the future.
1. Top Search Trends in Construction Technology
Geographic Search Patterns
- Major metros (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore): High interest in “BIM software,” “construction automation,” and “green building technology” reflects a growing focus on large-scale infrastructure and sustainable practices.
- Tier 2/3 cities: The popularity of “prefabrication techniques,” “low-cost construction methods,” and “modular construction” indicates a need for affordable and efficient solutions that cater to resource-constrained markets.
- Highest search volumes in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Delhi NCR, Tamil Nadu, and Gujarat. Regional language searches are growing, particularly in Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, and Telugu.
- Cities with highest search trends :
- Pune
- Chennai
- Bengaluru
- Gurgaon
- Surat
- Hyderabad
- Mumbai
- Indore
- Nagpur
- Ahmedabad
Cognito’s Cut: Urban markets are ready for advanced, enterprise-level solutions, while smaller cities present an untapped opportunity for cost-effective, scalable innovations. Localization—both in language and regulatory compliance—will be critical for penetrating regional markets. Per pattern, the top GDP states are highest searchers of technology, which also highlights pockets where targeting could result in higher conversions. Also interesting to note that most of these cities are either construction or BIM services powerhouse.
Seasonal Patterns
- Search volumes peak in January-February and August-September, coinciding with budget announcements and project kickoffs.
- Search volumes also dip around major festival seasons
- “Construction management software” saw a 30% increase in search volume during these periods.
Cognito’s Cut: Aligning product launches, educational events and marketing efforts with these peak periods can significantly boost traction and visibility.
Device Preferences
- Mobile searches: Account for 68% of the total, highlighting the potential demand on-site for data gathering or mobile-first applications.
- Desktop searches: Represent 32%, primarily used for detailed research and software comparisons.
Our Interpretation: Mobile-first platforms are essential for reaching on-site professionals, while desktop-optimized tools should cater to detailed planning and analysis needs.
2. Digital Transformation Services: Areas of Growth
BIM (Building Information Modeling)
- Searches increased by 45% year-over-year, driven by metro cities and large-scale developers.
- Top 10 key searched queries: revit, bim course, revit software, bim software course, what is bim software, what is bim, bim software list, bim full form, best bim software and free bim software
- Rising search trend: 5D bim software
- Cognito’s Cut: BIM’s growth reflects its growing awareness among construction professionals about its critical role in enhancing collaboration and reducing errors in complex projects. However, cost, ROI and lack of proper connected BIM centered workflow continues to be a concern. Customers typically consider BIM only as a tool of 3D model for visualization and clash detection. Raising awareness of the proper workflows that incorporates BIM as central piece of management is essential for BIM to become something beyond fancy 3D model.
Construction Management Software
- Search volume grew, with an emphasis on cloud-based and mobile-friendly solutions.
- “Construction project management apps” is amongst the top searched queries
- Other terms searched: construction management software, project management software, construction design software, construction erp software, software for construction company, construction planning software, construction inventory management software, construction accounting software, bim software, construction estimating software, construction billing software
- Cognito’s Cut: Construction Management and Project Management in construction continue to be the biggest pain point for most companies. This could be due to lack of knowledge of offerings or resistance to change. There is a rise in Construction accounting and construction billing software search. Entrepreneurs should focus on solutions that integrate seamlessly with existing workflows.
IoT Applications
- A big surge in searches, with interest in site safety, equipment monitoring, and smart building technologies.
- “IoT in construction site monitoring” was amongst the top queries
- Cognito’s Cut: IoT’s potential for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance is a clear priority for tech investments.
AR/VR Applications
- An intriguing spike in searches, potentially driven by architectural visualization, training, and safety simulation usecases.
- Cognito’s Cut: AR/VR is transitioning from a novelty to a practical tool for project visualization and workforce development. Building affordable, scalable solutions in this space could yield high returns.
Cloud-Based Solutions
- A 50% growth in demand for tools enabling seamless project collaboration.
- Cognito’s Cut: The demand for integrated, cloud-based ecosystems is growing. Developers should prioritize interoperability and user-friendly interfaces.
Construction Automation and Robotics
- Searches for robotics and drones increased by 35%, with rising interest in 3D printing technologies.
- Cognito’s Cut: Automation can address labor shortages and improve efficiency. Startups can explore niche applications like autonomous site monitoring or on-site 3D printing.
3. Demographic Insights
Professionals Searching*
- Contractors: 35%
- Developers: 25%
- Architects: 20%
- Engineers: 15%
- Others: 5%
* Some numbers are a result of digging through Perplexity, so may not be accurate. However the trends look right.
Cognito’s Cut: Contractors dominate the search landscape, highlighting the need for practical, cost-effective tools. Developers and architects are key secondary markets, requiring sophisticated, design-oriented solutions.
4. Customer Pain Points and Market Opportunities
Key Challenges
- Interoperability between software solutions.
- Data security in cloud-based platforms.
- Training and adoption hurdles for new technologies.
Our Interpretation: Product companies must prioritize user-friendly designs and robust security measures. Training programs can also accelerate adoption, especially for smaller firms.
Emerging Opportunities
- Affordable BIM tools for SMEs.
- Localized solutions adhering to Indian construction regulations.
- Integrated platforms combining project management, ERP, and financial tools.
Cognito’s Cut: Indian market continues to be a price-sensitive market, with SMEs looking for affordable and scalable solutions. Addressing these gaps will not only meet demand but also create competitive differentiation.
5. Competitive Landscape
Popular Brands and Solutions The most-searched tools reflect strong brand recognition:
- Autodesk Revit
- Trimble Connect
- Oracle Primavera
- Bentley ProjectWise
- Procore
Cognito’s Cut: The dominance of international players highlights the gap for localized, affordable solutions tailored for the Indian market. Entrepreneurs can focus on bridging this gap. Also interoperability is a challenge that needs to be addressed. This also presents an opportunity for Indian products to increase their outreach and highlight their strengths vs international counterparts. Incorporation of local languages and local codes or regulations could be a way. Also newer tech stack, optimum performance and innovative pricing models are some potential ways to make in-roads.
6. Price Sensitivity and Market Dynamics
- High search volumes for “free construction management software” indicate a demand for cost-effective solutions.
- Preference for subscription-based models over one-time purchases signals a shift toward flexible pricing.
Cognito’s Cut: Startups can focus on tiered pricing strategies, offering free basic versions to hook users and premium features for scalability. Also perhaps a transparent pricing model,
7. Correlation with External Factors
- Government Initiatives: Searches for green building technologies surged after new sustainability regulations. BIM interest spiked following mandates for public projects.
- Major Projects: Infrastructure announcements like PM Gati Shakti, smart cities and bullet trains saw corresponding increases in technology-related searches.
- Investment Patterns: An uptick in construction tech searches followed major venture capital announcements in this sector.
Cognito’s Cut: External factors play a significant role in influencing trends. Companies should stay agile and align their offerings with policy changes and large-scale project timelines.
8. Planning for 2025
Professionals and entrepreneurs can take actionable steps based on these insights:
- Focus on Mobile-First Solutions: With 68% of searches originating from mobile devices, tools should prioritize on-site usability.
- Low Cost Construction Innovations: Address the growing demand for prefabrication, modular construction, and low-cost methods.
- Affordable BIM: With the intent to bring in SMEs into the BIM workflow, is there an opportunity to develop “affordable BIM” solutions?
- Sustainability as a Priority: Align with government initiatives promoting green building technologies.
- Invest in Training: Simplify adoption through intuitive user interfaces and support services.
These insights provide a roadmap to capitalize on growing demand and emerging trends, setting the stage for success in 2025.
About Cognito Consulting
At Cognito Consulting, we specialize in bridging the gap between technology and construction. Our tailored solutions empower businesses to harness digital transformation and address the unique challenges of the Indian construction industry. From BIM implementation to IoT integration, and from sustainability consulting to creating localized digital tools, we partner with you to build the future.
Whether you are a professional looking for cutting-edge solutions or an entrepreneur aiming to make an impact, our expertise ensures your success.
Let’s build smarter together. Reach out to us for consultations or inquiries today at www.consultcognito.com.
Disclaimer: This article contains a mix of data points and insights. While some information is based on Google Trends data, other statistics and market insights mentioned may come from various industry reports, expert opinions, and market analyses. These additional data points are included to provide a more comprehensive overview but should not be considered as direct Google Trends results. Readers are encouraged to verify specific statistics and conduct their own research for the most up-to-date and accurate information.