Video calls are making a comeback to stem COVID-19 loneliness.

[nusratjahan]

Often used for emergencies or work , video calls and conference calls on Skype, Hangouts, and Meet are rising to prominence as bulwarks to stem the isolation caused by COVID-19. Skype and Hangouts are the most prominent, according to an XChannel study analyzing current trends.

Skype is usually the most searched platform on Google and even in this period it clearly dominates the market, eliminating competitors; for this reason, the analysis considers the main rivals of these days, namely Zoom Cloud , Gotomeeting , Hangout , Microsoft Team and Houseparty , which as we will see are used for different reasons and purposes.

For all players, searches began to skyrocket on March 8, the day the Prime Ministerial Decree came into force, imposing stringent measures for red zones and initiating a quarantine that would be extended to the entire country in the following days.

It is important and necessary to also consider the buy bulk sms service presence of WhatsApp , however . On Google, the most frequently searched query for the word “ video call ” is “ Whatsapp video call ,” followed by “ Skype video call ” and “ group video call .”

Group video calls, especially among younger people, have boomed simply because they're solving the problem of not being able to meet in bars, squares, or clubs. But a significant contributor to the growth in searches comes from business: travel restrictions and company precautions are leading to business meetings being held via video calls. It's no coincidence that one of the most searched queries associated with the word Skype is " Skype for Business ." Finally, online school and university classes have further boosted the search for and use of video calling sites and apps.

It's interesting to note how each tool responds to specific needs . The market survey conducted by XChannel, in fact, highlights how Skype and Hangout are the main solutions used for work video calls, Microsoft Teams and Zoom Cloud for online school and university lessons, and WhatsApp and Houseparty for group meetings.

At least until April 3, video calls will continue to allow us to connect with friends, continue learning, and maintain business relationships: an effective solution, useful for limiting the damage caused by the Coronavirus.