73% of office space searches in India now shift to flexible workspaces, traditional leasing falls below 27%: myHQ report

India’s office space demand is undergoing a decisive structural transformation, with flexible workspaces now dominating search behaviour. According to a new report by myHQ titled “How India Searches for its Office Needs?”, 73% of office-related searches in India are now directed towards flexible workspace formats, while traditional leasing accounts for less than 27% of total demand signals.

The study is based on an extensive dataset comprising 387,000 verified workspace enquiries across 30 countries, combined with nine years of Google search trends, myHQ SEO data, and geographic intelligence inputs from GSC. It highlights how India’s office market is increasingly being shaped by search-led intent rather than conventional leasing cycles, with demand patterns now extending beyond metros into tier-2 cities and international markets.

A key shift identified in the report is the evolution from generic office searches to highly specific, intent-based requirements. While coworking-related queries are generating nearly five times the search volume of traditional office terms, demand is increasingly fragmented into precise use cases. Searches for meeting rooms have surged 187% over the past three years, virtual office queries have grown 99%, and day pass-related searches have risen 20%. Collectively, these categories now account for nearly 90% of coworking-related search demand.

Managed offices and sustainability enter mainstream search behaviour

Managed office spaces are also witnessing strong momentum, with search volumes rising 778% since 2022. However, at 13,471 monthly searches at their peak in 2024, they still remain significantly smaller than coworking-related queries, indicating a gap between product adoption and user awareness.

Sustainability is emerging as a critical discovery factor. Seven of the ten most-searched office parks in India are green-certified, contributing to 66.3% of total office park search volume. One green-certified tech park alone recorded 122,000 monthly searches, underscoring how environmental credentials are becoming a default consideration rather than a premium differentiator.

Global participation and changing demographics

The report also highlights growing international participation, with 3% of all office-related searches originating outside India. The United States leads this segment at 28.9%, followed by the UK and UAE, driven by GCC expansion, NRI registrations, and return-migration planning.

Women now account for 24.2% of workspace enquiries, with cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad leading participation, reflecting a broader diversification in workspace decision-making across India.