Google Home statistics make it clear that people have fallen in love with these unique devices. Over 12 million units have been sold in 2018 after a relatively slow start since the product was launched back in 2016. Since then, Google’s product received a lot of attention and inspired a new range of similar products. Other tech giants have developed Google Home alternatives in the form of house assistants — some of them include Echo (by Amazon), Sonos One, HomePod (by Apple), and many more.
To learn more about the topic at hand, take a look down below!
Fascinating Google Home Statistics and Facts — Editor’s Pick
- Google sold only 0.5 million Home units when it launched in 2006.
- Although Amazon currently holds a bigger market share, Google Home is closing in.
- In late 2018, a total of 52 million Home devices were sold (43 million in the US alone).
- People most often use the Home Assistant (68% of the time) to check for quick facts.
- Google Home and its direct competitor, Amazon Echo, are equally priced.
The Rise of Home Assistant Devices
The range of these devices is constantly on the rise with new major tech players joining the game all the time. Everyone wants such a device, and as the numbers pile up, the prices drop down. You can buy these devices for under $100 right now, and price drops during the holiday season make them all the cheaper.
These voice assistants are growing in popularity, diminishing the claims of many experts that the technology would never lift off the ground. Millions of people are using home assistants on a daily basis to set the temperature in their homes, call a cab or play music. It’s fast, it’s simple, it’s efficient, and most importantly of all, it’s cutting-edge technology; one that everyone wants to get their hands on.
Developed by Google under the Nest brand, the tech giant’s device interacts with services using Google Assistant. For those unaware, that’s the company’s virtual assistant. The Google Voice Speaker can “catch” your voice and interpret sentences to allow you to listen to music, set your home temperature, playback videos or photos, or simply get the news by voice. In-house and third-party services expand the device’s reach and functionality, allowing you to do more with nothing but your voice.
It’s a breathtaking piece of technology we’ve never seen before. Google Home assistant intrigued potential customers from the moment it hit the market. Since then, it kept on pushing the boundaries, becoming better with age. Thanks to new home automation products such as smart lights, for instance, the number of users keeps growing ever larger.
So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at Google Home’s overall market share compared to its immediate competitors.
Google Home Market Share Overview
Google’s smart product started relatively small in its first years. Around 500,000 units were sold initially, whereas Amazon’s Echo had the biggest share of the market. In January 2018, Amazon Echo controlled almost 70% of the entire US smart speaker market. Google Home owned the majority of the remaining space, with Apple’s HomePod controlling only a minor market share. That, however, was soon to change. Google Home received a substantial boost in recent years, resulting in millions of new users.
One Google statistic revealed that Google Home added a whopping 7.2 million new US users in 2018 alone. Compared to the 600,000 new Amazon Echo users, that’s a significant increase. Although Google Home’s market share remained largely unchanged, if it continues the upward trend, and there are high hopes it will, it might trump Echo from the top spot soon enough.
What’s more, Google Home skills are constantly being updated by third-party developers releasing new apps that help upgrade and make the device even more useful. As the tech juggernaut improves its product and adds new functions and third-party companies make the most of them, we wouldn’t be surprised if Home took the market share lead from Amazon’s Echo in the very near future.
Now, on with the stats!
Google Home Sales Statistics
The Google Home revenue is expected to double by 2020.
Google home statistics show that by 2020, Google Home’s revenue will soar to roughly 7.5 billion dollars. However, their 25% profit margin is anticipated to stay the same, which would bring in about 1.8 billion dollars in profit.
Over 28 million smart speakers were sold globally in Q1 2020
Google home statistics for 2020 show that more than 28 million smart speakers were sold globally in the first quarter of the year. In comparison, around 26.1 million in Q1 of 2019 and 55.8 million devices in Q4 were sold. Amazon led the market by selling 1.1 million smart speakers, followed by Google and Baidu.
The US national survey found that 77% of adults are altering their everyday routine because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
77% of 1,660 American adults stated that this change involves the increased use of voice assistants. The survey showed that monthly and weekly voice commands plummeted by almost 3%, whereas daily and multiple daily voice commands soared by 1% and 5%, respectively.
1. Only 500,000 units were initially sold
Source: Statista
When Google launched its first smart devices of this kind, it initially sold only 0.5 million devices (2016). Echo still ruled the market and there were concerns about whether Google could get Home off the ground.
2. Home made a massive jump in 2017
Source: Statista
The unimpressive start made way to 6.7 million new users in 2017. Many leading tech magazines voted it the best home assistant in 2017 and a new star was born.
Although it never managed to take the lead from Echo, Google’s voice-controlled speaker was making huge leaps with millions of new users pouring in annually.
3. Google-owned less than 20% of the market share in early 2017
Source: Forbes
Although the surge in user numbers was fantastic, Google still owned merely 19.3% of the global home assistants’ market share in 2017. That would soon change when, a year later, Google Home became the fastest-growing device of its kind.
4. 9 Million home devices were sold in Q1 2018
Source: Forbes
A massive reversal on the market was observed in Q1 2018 when some 9 million devices were sold compared to less than 3 million just 12 months before. Consequently, Google Home assistant beat Amazon’s Echo for the very first time.
5. Even with the surge, Amazon’s Echo still retains the top spot
Source: Voicebot
Amazon Echo’s market share numbers are falling and Google is gaining ground but the market share is still predominantly in Echo’s favor. The Amazon device still owns around 60% of the market but that number is expected to drop in the coming years as the number of new Home users rises.
6. 52 million products have been sold worldwide since 2018
Source: Safe At Last
Google Home market statistics state that the number of Home devices sold around the world in late 2018 jumped to 52 million. Most of them, or around 43 million, were sold in the US. It’s also worth noting that some households have multiple devices of this kind.
7. Google Home’s market share expected to come close to 50% this year
Source: Think With Google
Google Home is all the rage right now and according to expert predictions, its global market voice assistant share can rise to 48% in 2020.
Google Home Usage Statistics
8. People tend to use the device to search for quick facts the most
Source: Marketing Land
In the broader virtual assistant market, customers tend to use the devices to search for quick facts (68% of the time). That’s somewhat of a surprise as most people would think that searching for weather forecasts would be more common.
9. Asking for directions is a close second (65%)
Source: Search Engine Land
Searching for directions is a close second (65%) on the list of most common uses of the Home AI assistant. This shouldn’t be much of a surprise as these devices were built with this in mind so you wouldn’t have to type in the location in a separate app.
10. Searching businesses and researching products come next at 47% and 44%
Source: Microsoft
After some quick fact-checking and directions asking, people use smart speakers to locate a business or research a product or service 47% and 44% of the time, respectively.
11. Weather inquiry, according to Google Home statistics, sits at 64%
Source: Marketing Land
When talking about the broad assistant usage, in general, and not the smart speakers themselves, around 64% of people use them to check what the weather will be like. In some extreme cases, this can even save lives, as notifications about incoming extreme weather can help people prepare better.
12. Less than 50% of users use the device to set alarms and reminders
Source: Marketing Land
In one survey, it was found that only 46% of users use the device to set alarms and reminders. This goes in line with online searches (47%) and checking the news (46%).
13. 66% of people said they’re only interested in AR for shopping assistance
Source: Thinking With Google
A stat that should surprise no one: 66% of people were interested in using a smart assistant such as Home merely to get help with online shopping.
Uses of Google Home
Google Home’s Connected Home range of products spans everything from safety devices to thermostats. Each one has its own set of useful features that can control various aspects of your life, as well as your home.
Of course, they are all connected to the main Google Home device which is the central voice assistant hub that controls all of them. In addition, the Google voice speaker comes in different shapes and sizes. You can either pick the mini version or go with max for a full range of home entertainment features.
14. Google Nest Hub Max is an all-in-one solution for thermostats, lights, and more
Source: Google
The prize jewel in Google Home’s product line, the Nest Hub Max, can connect to a wide range of voice-controlled devices. It’s the focal point of Google’s Connected Home vision that combines entertainment, smart lighting, home appliances, and more.
You can use home assistant devices such as this one to adjust the lighting of your room, set the temperature, or play some music.
15. Chromecast allows you to stream media via voice
Source: Google
Chromecast is the device to go for if you want to watch Netflix shows or command your smart TV via voice commands. One of the most popular Google Home devices, and a top streaming device worldwide, Chromecast comes fairly cheap at just $35 and can connect to a wide range of devices.
For example, you can connect it to your Nest to get a good look at your smart cameras stationed in your backyard directly on your TV, laptop, or tablet. The Google Home AI allows the streaming of content from thousands of apps through this device, making it an instant hit with millions of people.
16. The Nest Thermostat lets you control your home’s temps with ease
Source: Cnet
One of the more interesting devices in Google Home’s lineup is the Nest Thermostat. It has already gone through several iterations, with the latest one, the Nest Learning Thermostat, able to save energy all on its own. Look at any sales Google home statistics and you’ll see that Nest Thermostats are among the most common smart devices that work with Google Assistant sold in the USA. The Nest itself states that it sold over 11 million devices since 2011.
17. Nest Hello is a next-gen doorbell
Source: Google
Another popular product in Home’s range of products, Nest Hello, lets you know who’s ringing your doorbell. You can check the video feed on any screen in your home including your mobile phone or tablet. You can connect it to other Google Home assistant apps to check-in anytime or get a 3-hour snapshot history when you’re not at home.
18. Google Home Mini is the global smart speaker shipment leader with 2.3 million shipments sold in Q2 2018
Source: Tech Crunch
Home Mini is the tech giant’s most popular product. Although Amazon’s Echo/Alexa still top the market share, this smart assistant and voice speaker accounted for 1 in every 5 smart speaker shipments in 2018.
How Google Home Compares to Alexa
19. The two opponents are equally priced — around $100
Source: Digital Trends
Since the competitors are equally priced, taking part in the Alexa vs. Google assistant war is tough. Amazon’s product costs $100, whereas Google Home retails for $99. You can find each at a lower price especially over the holidays or during special sales events.
20. Both offer similar features
Source: Forbes
Amazon’s and Google products have evolved into very fine voice assistants over the years. If you compare their features right now, you won’t find huge differences. The Google Assistant vs. Amazon Alexa war rages on, with each company adding features to try and get ahead of the other.
21. There are only minor voice assistant differences
Source: PC Mag
Both Amazon Echo and Google Home are multilingual devices that can be connected to a wide range of smart devices. One notable difference is that Home allows you to change the speaker between male and female (voice). It’s also the more fluid assistant; yet, when compared to Echo, its skills are subpar.
Is Google Home Worth It?
Like any revolutionary device, Google Home has several pros and cons. Its main competitor, Amazon Echo, still tops the market in terms of share, yet Home is slowly creeping not far behind. The Google Home Assistant was hot in 2016 and is still a great pick even today.
In the past couple of years, Google’s product has improved a lot. It’s the centerpiece of the company’s Connected Home vision, and as such, it’s a unique device everyone would like to have in their home.
Instead of reading the news on your PC or laptop, why not ask the home assistant to provide the latest info on the Coronavirus outbreak? It saves a lot of time by allowing you to multi-task with ease. It’s not just news you could be getting. You can learn what the weather is like without even looking outside or get the address for that car insurance company you’ve been planning to visit. Plus, there’s no Google Home monthly cost at all — the service is free to use.
On the other hand, one could make a case of being too costly. The product itself is not that expensive at $99 but the whole range of other products and costs can pile up. Additionally, some find it an unpolished and incomplete product that will likely take years before it can truly become a helpful household addition.
With the increase in popularity in the past few years, there’s no doubt that it’ll continue to grow in the future.
