Key dimension of US-China tech competition is currently playing out in countries across the developing world.
So I analyzed data on the most downloaded apps in six key countries for 2015 & 2019. Here’s what I found:
thread 1/
So I analyzed data on the most downloaded apps in six key countries for 2015 & 2019. Here’s what I found:
thread 1/
US apps remained dominant in 2019 for most markets, often w/ 60-75% market share among the most downloaded apps.
The one big exception here is India, which we'll dig into below... 2/
The one big exception here is India, which we'll dig into below... 2/
But comparing 2015 and 2019, Chinese apps gained significant market share in Indonesia, India, Egypt, Nigeria and Brazil.
Mexico was the only market where Chinese share shrank. 3/
Mexico was the only market where Chinese share shrank. 3/
The one market where China took the lead was India. B/w 2015 & 2019, Chinese apps jumped from 3-->6 of top 10 spots.
Importantly, this is not just a TikTok story. It also includes Chinese apps like SHAREit that have almost no brand recognition in China or the US.
Importantly, this is not just a TikTok story. It also includes Chinese apps like SHAREit that have almost no brand recognition in China or the US.
India is a *massive* market for app downloads, w/ more apps downloaded in India than any country outside China.
Combining China's gains in India w/ size of that market, this brought China to near-parity w/ US in total downloads across the 6 countries:
Combining China's gains in India w/ size of that market, this brought China to near-parity w/ US in total downloads across the 6 countries:
Here's a good time to raise an impt caveat:
The data here is for app *downloads*, and doesn't include apps that come pre-installed w/ Android or Apple phones. That means those cos apps (YouTube, Gmail) aren't represented here, despite being frequently *used* in India and beyond.
The data here is for app *downloads*, and doesn't include apps that come pre-installed w/ Android or Apple phones. That means those cos apps (YouTube, Gmail) aren't represented here, despite being frequently *used* in India and beyond.
The other big takeaway from the data: the (lack of) diversity in the companies behind these apps.
On the US side, @Facebook apps -- @WhatsApp, @messenger, FB and @instagram -- made up 86% (!!) of the US share of the most downloaded apps in these developing countries.
On the US side, @Facebook apps -- @WhatsApp, @messenger, FB and @instagram -- made up 86% (!!) of the US share of the most downloaded apps in these developing countries.
To fill in that picture of Facebook dominance of US market share, here are the contributions of @WhatsApp, @messenger, @Facebook and @instagram:
On the Chinese side, this wasn't just a TikTok story. ByteDance (TikTok, Helo) made the biggest contribution of 40% and Alibaba kicked in 20% w/ UC Browser & VMate. But far lesser known apps like SHAREit and Likee were a big part of Chinese apps rise.
macropolo.org/the-chinese-an…
macropolo.org/the-chinese-an…
There's lots more to tease out of this. You can read my full piece here: macropolo.org/the-chinese-an…
And explore the raw data yourself here: macropolo.org/the-chinese-an…
Huge thank you to @SensorTower for pulling data on these 6 countries for me. Check them out: sensortower.com
And explore the raw data yourself here: macropolo.org/the-chinese-an…
Huge thank you to @SensorTower for pulling data on these 6 countries for me. Check them out: sensortower.com
