Arabic: 4th in speakers, 19th in online presence. Can't we do better?

Arabic, spoken by nearly one-fifth of the world's population, is facing a digital crisis. While it ranks 4th in the number of speakers, its online content lags far behind at a dismal 19th. This disparity is a glaring injustice that constrains opportunities for Arabic speakers and impedes the language's digital growth.?

Language plays a crucial role in shaping our region’s economies and societies. And in an increasingly interconnected digital world, it is imperative that the digital landscape reflects the immense potential of Arabic speakers, who represent a vast and culturally rich community.?

Why does this truly matter??

As the global recognition of Arabic continues to grow, an increasing number of brands in the MENA region are looking to adapt their business strategies to include this flourishing region. This is occurring concurrently with significant developments and expansions within the major business hubs of numerous Arab countries.?

The region offers significant business opportunities and boasts some of the highest customer reach potential. Using the local language, Arabic, for online content is an effective way to penetrate the market. Speaking to customers in their language builds a personal connection, which is crucial for standing out in a competitive market. Studies have found that businesses investing in online Arabic content increase their online share of voice, which positively impacts profits.?

Current Limitations?

“Why bother with Arabic content? Most Arabs speak English anyway.'”?

Well, that's a common misconception.?

It is often assumed that most Arabs speak English fluently, but this is not necessarily the case. While some Arabs may be proficient in English, a large proportion of the Arabic-speaking population relies on Arabic for daily communication. The question thus arises as to why there is a lack of content development to facilitate engagement with this significant and relevant audience.?

The recent acknowledgement of the importance of Arabic content has prompted a number of major international companies in the MENA region and beyond to begin localizing their websites and digital marketing platforms. While this represents a promising development, it is evident that many companies are still reliant on AI-generated content for this purpose, which frequently fails to meet expectations. In reality, the creation of high-quality Arabic content is crucial for gaining a competitive advantage.?

Copy-Paste Chaos: The Duplicate Content Dilemma?

Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for online channels and portals to replicate content from other sources without the necessary licensing. Such practices can have a detrimental impact on both the creators of the content and on search engine optimization (SEO). The proliferation of duplicate content can create what we’d like to call a "digital déja vu"—or, more informally, “yapping”—making it more challenging for high-quality content to be discovered.?

Ever searched for something in Arabic and seen the same text plastered across multiple sites? That's the yapping we're talking about.?

Our Collective Role?

We all have a role to play in amplifying our voices online! Let us make a concerted effort to promote Arabic content, use Arabic script in preference to Latin script, and support Arabic-speaking creators. By embracing and advocating for these practices, we could potentially boost the visibility of the Arabic language and secure its rightful place in the global online environment. This will guarantee that Arabic content is not only given a prominent position but also flourishes with a rich and diverse array of authentic perspectives.?