Info Edge’s Shiksha faces AI traffic headwinds as Q1 billings fall 23%

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Info Edge’s education business Shiksha faced traffic and demand-related headwinds in Q1 FY27, with the company attributing the slowdown partly to changes in Google search driven by the rise of AI.
According to the company's Q1 FY27 earning presentation, Shiksha’s billings declined 22.8% year-on-year to Rs 35 crore in the quarter, while revenue fell 11.9% to Rs 44 crore. Operating PBT declined 48.8% year-on-year to Rs 3 crore. Cash from operations stood at a negative Rs 7 crore.
The traffic pressure comes as AI-generated search experiences increasingly affect referral traffic from Google, a key acquisition channel for content-led platforms such as Shiksha.
To counter the traffic pressure, Shiksha is investing in comprehensive, student-friendly content and strengthening its domestic counselling business. The company also plans to continue investing in its Study Abroad platform.
The overseas education market is facing another shift. Info Edge said student interest in studying in the US remains subdued, while preferences are moving towards the UK, Australia and European markets. This shift could require Shiksha to adapt its offerings and counselling services across different study destinations.
Despite the near-term challenges, Shiksha continues to operate at significant scale. The platform lists more than 68,000 colleges and 574,000 courses and covers over 1,150 entrance exams. Between July 2025 and June 2026, it recorded more than 6.3 million annual registrations, 467 million page views and 228 million visits.
In Q1 FY27, Info Edge reported consolidated revenue from operations of Rs 881 crore, with Shiksha contributing around 5% of the total operating revenue. Meanwhile, the company’s overall profit rose 43% year-on-year to Rs 490 crore during the quarter.

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