The global giant search engine expects a dramatic breakthrough in the Arab world. Google officials predict an increase of nearly 50% of Internet users in Arabic in the Middle East and North Africa over the next three years. In early 2010, the research firm in the field of ICT Madar Research estimated 56 million Internet users in Arabic in the MENA region, against 45.6 million in 2009. By 2013, they will be around 82 million to surf the Web in the language of Al Moutanabbi [ 1]. Growth due to "particularly the increase in Internet penetration in the region, as well as translation efforts that allow access to more information," says Helen Barrot, the communications department of Google France.
Only 1% of Web content in Arabic
Google's success in the region is relative, however. The World Bank estimates, more than 320 million people speak Arabic in the world, while less than 1% of the available content Internet is in Arabic. To remedy this, the company strives to make its services (such as Google News, Google Chrome, Translation, Gmail, etc..) Available in the language within 90 days after launch. The company is also working to develop local products, specific to the region. Among its tools
FIG Google Ta3rib , a transliteration system that allows Internet users do not have Arabic keyboard to write in that language; website Ahlan , launched in April 2010 that allows new users learn to use certain aspects of the Web (such as chatting, e-mailing and sharing of information) while watching video clips on YouTube or the site Ejabat a kind frequently asked questions for the Middle East, which attracted more than 100,000 users.
In its efforts to improve the volume of Arabic content online, Google has also launched research areas that can provide targeted information. Thirteen countries have so far involved: Algeria, Morocco , Egypt, Palestinian Territories , Libya, United Arab Emirates , Bahaniyah , Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan , Kuwait, Lebanon and Oman.
U.S. giant is not alone in command in the Arab world. In August 2009, rival Yahoo! announced the acquisition of Maktoob.com, an Internet portal is very popular in Arab countries. The firm, through this acquisition estimated at 82 million, receive 16.5 million unique visitors Maktoob, and thus expand its presence in these emerging markets. The competition between the two American giants might be tough.
[ 1] Al Moutanabbi (915-965) is considered the greatest Arab poet of all time
(Source Afrik.com)
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