The demographic that tends to search for products and services on social media platforms rather than traditional search engines (like Google, Yahoo, or Bing) is generally younger and more digitally savvy. Here are key demographic groups:
Gen Z (Born 1997-2012)
Social Media Preference: Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Snapchat are highly favored.
Behavior: They tend to follow influencers, brands, and trends directly on social media. They often use platforms like TikTok and Instagram as search engines for fashion, beauty, and lifestyle products.
Trust in Influencers: They rely heavily on influencer recommendations, video content, and user reviews found directly on social media.
Millennials (Born 1981-1996)
Social Media Preference: Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube.
Behavior: Millennials are known to search for products by exploring ads, user-generated content, and reviews on social media. They often use social media for recommendations and ideas, particularly for lifestyle products (travel, fashion, home decor).
Engagement: More likely to engage with brands through ads and sponsored content, and explore product reviews on platforms like YouTube.
Urban and Digitally Native Consumers
Location: Those in urban areas and technologically advanced regions are more likely to search on social media.
Lifestyle: Social media is integrated into their everyday activities, so product discovery through ads, influencers, or trends is common.
Niche and Subculture Audiences
Interest Groups: People interested in niche topics (e.g., eco-friendly products, vegan brands, gaming, and streetwear) often rely on social media for discovering products and services related to their interests.
Community Engagement: These users are typically part of dedicated online communities and use platforms like Reddit, Pinterest, and specialized Instagram accounts to get product advice.
Mobile-First Users
Devices: Those who primarily use mobile devices rather than desktops.
Platforms: Social media apps are often more convenient for quick searches and product discovery while on mobile.
In general, younger generations (Gen Z and Millennials) and those highly engaged in digital environments tend to search for products and services directly on social media platforms instead of traditional search engines.