In Nepal, how people search and discover information online is quickly changing. While Google still dominates the scene, new platforms like Niriv are working to create a more local and personalized experience—especially for younger internet users.
As of June 2025, Google holds more than 95% of Nepal’s search engine market, according to StatCounter. This number goes even higher on mobile devices, reaching nearly 98%.
Nepalis use Google for almost everything:
For most people, Google is still the default option for anything online.
Although Google is dominant, people—especially younger generations—are starting to discover information in new ways. They’re using apps like:
These apps are not traditional search engines, but they are shaping how people search for things—without even using a browser.
In 2025, AI-powered search is also growing in Nepal. Many people are now using tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot, and Perplexity AI to ask questions, get summaries, and explore topics in a conversational way.
These tools are especially popular among:
Nepali users are attracted to how AI tools understand context, answer in Nepali or English, and save time compared to traditional search. Although still in early stages, AI is starting to become part of the search behavior, especially in urban areas.
A startup based in Biratchowk, Niriv is developing Nepal’s own digital platform that combines local search, news, content discovery, and services—all in one place.
Still in its early stages, Niriv plans to become a full-scale platform like South Korea’s Naver. Its future roadmap includes:
Niriv is mainly focused on Gen Z users, offering a “scroll and discover” experience rather than just keyword-based search. It wants to change the way Nepalis find and interact with information—by making it more relevant, emotional, and culturally connected.
“Niriv isn’t just for searching. It’s about discovering what matters to Nepali users in a local context,” says the founding team.
Nepal’s internet ecosystem is expanding rapidly:
This growth is opening the door for new local platforms like Niriv to thrive.
Google remains the backbone of search in Nepal, but people are increasingly relying on other tools and platforms depending on what they are looking for.
Search behavior in Nepal now includes:
If Niriv’s vision succeeds, Nepal could have its own all-in-one portal, made for Nepali users, by Nepali creators. It could mark a shift from global platforms to local digital ecosystems built on trust, relevance, and cultural connection.
For now, Google continues to lead. But in the years ahead, local platforms like Niriv and AI tools could reshape how the next generation searches and connects online.