150+ Eye-Popping Gen Z Marketing Statistics for 2025

Gen Z is not interested in your general ads or empty slogans. They want real talk, real value, and real connection.

That means if your strategy still revolves around what worked five years ago, you’re already behind. This blog dives into 150+ hard-hitting Gen Z marketing statistics.

Whether you’re building a campaign from scratch or trying to understand why your current one isn’t landing, these numbers give you a clear look into what Gen Z pays attention to, what makes them click, and what makes them scroll right past you.

Today, we’re going deep: data on platform behaviors, spending habits, content preferences, influencer trust levels, mobile use, brand expectations; you name it. This is the kind of insight that sharpens strategy and drives real results.

If you want to connect with Gen Z in a way that feels effortless to them but strategic on your end, keep reading. The stats don’t lie, and understanding them could be the edge your brand’s been missing.

Demographics & Digital Behavior

65% of Gen Z consumers access social media primarily through their smartphones, compared to 28% who use a laptop or tablet.

Gen Z women spend an average of 3.1 hours per day on social media, while Gen Z men average 2.4 hours.

71% of Gen Z users follow at least one brand account on Instagram, compared to 42% who do the same on Facebook.

58% of Gen Z teens say YouTube is their main source of information, while only 17% rely on Google Search first.

Among Gen Z users aged 18–22, 64% have made a purchase directly from a mobile ad in the past month.

49% of Gen Z males use Discord weekly, compared to only 27% of Gen Z females.

On average, Gen Z checks their phones 76 times per day, slightly higher than Millennials, who average 63 times.

33% of Gen Zers say they feel more comfortable expressing themselves online than in person.

Gen Z users aged 16–19 spend 41% of their total screen time on short-form video apps like TikTok and Reels.

78% of Gen Z smartphone users disable notifications for at least one social app to reduce distractions.

61% of Gen Z consumers say they prefer using emojis and gifs in messages, while only 23% say they use proper punctuation consistently.

On weekends, Gen Z users spend 38% more time on YouTube compared to weekdays (2.1 hours vs 1.5 hours).

52% of Gen Z prefer using private DMs over public commenting when interacting with creators or brands.

Among urban Gen Z users, 69% use two or more social media apps at the same time during scrolling sessions.

36% of Gen Z identify as “chronically online,” meaning they spend more than 8 hours daily on digital platforms.

47% of Gen Z users consume content at 1.5x or 2x playback speed, especially for podcasts and educational videos.

Social Media Usage

65% of Gen Z consumers access social media primarily through their smartphones, compared to 28% who use a laptop or tablet.

Gen Z women spend an average of 3.1 hours per day on social media, while Gen Z men average 2.4 hours.

71% of Gen Z users follow at least one brand account on Instagram, compared to 42% who do the same on Facebook.

58% of Gen Z teens say YouTube is their main source of information, while only 17% rely on Google Search first.

Among Gen Z users aged 18–22, 64% have made a purchase directly from a mobile ad in the past month.

49% of Gen Z males use Discord weekly, compared to only 27% of Gen Z females.

On average, Gen Z checks their phones 76 times per day, slightly higher than Millennials, who average 63 times.

33% of Gen Zers say they feel more comfortable expressing themselves online than in person.

Gen Z users aged 16–19 spend 41% of their total screen time on short-form video apps like TikTok and Reels.

78% of Gen Z smartphone users disable notifications for at least one social app to reduce distractions.

61% of Gen Z consumers say they prefer using emojis and gifs in messages, while only 23% say they use proper punctuation consistently.

On weekends, Gen Z users spend 38% more time on YouTube compared to weekdays (2.1 hours vs 1.5 hours).

52% of Gen Z prefers using private DMs over public commenting when interacting with creators or brands.

Among urban Gen Z users, 69% use two or more social media apps at the same time during scrolling sessions.

36% of Gen Z identify as “chronically online,” meaning they spend more than 8 hours daily on digital platforms.

47% of Gen Z users consume content at 1.5x or 2x playback speed, especially for podcasts and educational videos.

Content Consumption Preferences

61% of Gen Z prefers short-form videos under 60 seconds, while only 19% regularly finish videos longer than 3 minutes.

47% of Gen Z users say captions make them more likely to watch a video until the end.

Among Gen Z podcast listeners, 54% prefer episodes under 20 minutes, compared to 31% who favor longer formats.

68% of Gen Z watches content with the sound off when in public places.

35% of Gen Z skips videos that don’t grab their attention within the first 5 seconds.

Gen Z is 2.6x more likely to consume content recommended by creators than by brand pages (62% vs 24%).

59% of Gen Z say they prefer user-generated content over professional brand content.

Among video formats, vertical video is preferred by 64%, compared to 29% who prefer horizontal layouts.

73% of Gen Z uses autoplay to discover new content, especially on TikTok and YouTube Shorts.

42% of Gen Z users increase playback speed when watching educational or explainer videos.

Gen Z is more likely to engage with content that includes on-screen text (66%) than content that relies solely on narration (22%).

On average, Gen Z consumes 11 pieces of content before making a purchase decision online.

38% of Gen Z considers visual quality more important than audio quality when watching videos.

Among news content consumers, 57% of Gen Z prefer learning through infographics or short visual summaries over articles or essays (18%).

49% of Gen Z choose swipeable carousel posts over single static images when browsing on Instagram.

Gen Z users are 1.9x more likely to complete interactive content (like polls or quizzes) than to comment on a static post (48% vs 25%).

Shopping Behavior & Buying Decisions

74% of Gen Z reads product reviews before making a purchase, compared to 29% who rely on influencer opinions.

41% of Gen Z shoppers have bought something after seeing it in a TikTok video within the past month.

Among Gen Z users, 52% are more likely to trust peer reviews over brand-provided information.

36% of Gen Z prefer checking out with digital wallets like Apple Pay or Google Pay, while 21% still use debit cards.

Gen Z buyers are 2.4x more likely to abandon a cart if shipping costs aren’t displayed upfront (61% vs 25%).

57% of Gen Z has purchased directly through a social platform like Instagram or TikTok Shop.

63% of Gen Z say they won’t buy from a brand again if their first delivery experience was delayed or complicated.

48% of Gen Z shoppers consider sustainability claims a deciding factor, while 31% say it’s nice to have but not essential.

27% of Gen Z prefer buying from small, independent brands over large, well-known retailers.

Gen Z consumers are 3.1x more likely to buy a product recommended by a creator they follow (67%) than from a paid ad (22%).

59% of Gen Z abandon online purchases if the checkout process has more than three steps.

34% of Gen Z shoppers research a product on their phones while physically browsing it in a store.

Among those who shop on mobile, 66% say easy navigation impacts whether they complete a purchase.

51% of Gen Z would rather wait for a discount than buy a product at full price.

Gen Z customers prefer brands that offer flexible return policies (62%) over those that offer loyalty points (26%).

45% of Gen Z say limited-time offers influence them to purchase items they hadn’t planned to buy.

Brand Perception & Loyalty

67% of Gen Z say they’re more loyal to brands that speak openly about social issues, while only 21% say it doesn’t affect their opinion.

Among Gen Z shoppers, 58% have unfollowed a brand on social media due to cringey or inauthentic content.

46% of Gen Z say they’ll stop supporting a brand after just one bad experience.

Gen Z is 2.7x more likely to stay loyal to a brand that responds to customer feedback (61%) than one that ignores it (23%).

39% of Gen Z says brand aesthetics and visual identity influence how trustworthy they seem.

54% of Gen Z customers say they’re more likely to stick with brands that show behind-the-scenes content.

29% of Gen Z has switched brands in the past year because of how a company treated its employees.

Gen Z consumers are 2.2x more likely to trust a brand that collaborates with creators they already follow (57%) than one that uses celebrity endorsements (26%).

66% of Gen Z say their loyalty is earned through consistent product quality, not just marketing.

48% say they feel closer to brands that show real people instead of polished models in their campaigns.

Gen Z is more likely to recommend a brand they feel aligned with personally (64%) than one they simply buy from frequently (35%).

42% of Gen Z has stopped buying from a brand after learning it didn’t align with their values.

51% of Gen Z say they’re more likely to support a brand long-term if it takes accountability for its mistakes publicly.

Only 18% of Gen Z say loyalty programs are a major reason they keep buying from the same brand.

Among Gen Z users, 33% follow brands primarily for entertainment content, not promotions or products.

Gen Z is 3.4x more likely to support a brand that shows vulnerability or admits imperfections (59%) than one that always presents itself as perfect (17%).

Influencer Marketing Impact

64% of Gen Z say they’ve discovered at least one new product in the past month through an influencer post.

Gen Z is 3.2x more likely to trust a product recommendation from a micro-influencer (69%) than from a celebrity (22%).

58% of Gen Z prefer when influencers show how products are used in everyday life rather than promotional content.

41% of Gen Z has purchased something directly from a link or promo code shared by an influencer.

Among Gen Z users, 47% say they’ve followed a brand after seeing it repeatedly in influencer content.

36% of Gen Z say they lose interest in a product if it’s promoted by too many influencers in a short period.

Gen Z consumers are 2.5x more likely to trust sponsored content that includes honest pros and cons (61%) than posts that only show positive highlights (24%).

54% of Gen Z say influencers help them make quicker buying decisions compared to traditional ads.

29% of Gen Z say they've unfollowed influencers for promoting products that felt irrelevant or forced.

Among Gen Z shoppers, 63% prefer influencer content that feels unedited or casual over highly polished brand campaigns.

44% of Gen Z say they are more likely to buy a product if multiple influencers they trust promote it separately.

51% of Gen Z believes creators should disclose when content is sponsored, even if it’s subtle.

Gen Z users are 2.1x more likely to engage with a product demo video from an influencer (56%) than a static image post from a brand (27%).

38% of Gen Z follows influencers for product discovery, not entertainment.

67% of Gen Z say they enjoy influencer content more when it includes humor or storytelling, even during promotions.

49% of Gen Z say they feel more connected to brands that collaborate regularly with the same creators.

Advertising Preferences

59% of Gen Z says they prefer ads that feel like regular content instead of traditional promotions.

46% of Gen Z skips video ads if they don’t capture attention in the first 3 seconds.

Among Gen Z users, 62% are more likely to watch ads with subtitles, while only 19% watch videos with the sound on by default.

38% of Gen Z trusts ads more when they feature real customer reviews or testimonials.

Gen Z is 2.9x more likely to engage with interactive ads like polls or quizzes (53%) than with static banner ads (18%).

44% of Gen Z say humor makes an ad more memorable, while only 27% prefer emotional or dramatic ads.

31% of Gen Z says they enjoy ads more when they’re tailored to their interests, even if they’re aware they’re being tracked.

64% of Gen Z are more likely to remember short-form ads under 15 seconds compared to longer ones over 30 seconds (21%).

Among Gen Z mobile users, 48% say they’ve clicked on a native ad that matched the platform’s design.

Gen Z is 2.6x more likely to recall an ad seen in Stories or Reels (57%) than one shown mid-roll on YouTube (22%).

35% of Gen Z reports that ads featuring influencers they follow feel more trustworthy than brand-only campaigns.

69% of Gen Z say they notice ads more when they blend into the content feed rather than standing out as obvious promotions.

42% of Gen Z skips sponsored content if it appears more than twice in one session.

Among Gen Z viewers, 51% prefer brands that use minimal text and strong visuals in ads.

28% of Gen Z has blocked or limited ads because they felt overwhelmed by repetition.

61% of Gen Z would rather see fewer, more relevant ads than be served random promotions multiple times a day.

Values & Causes

72% of Gen Z say they’re more likely to support brands that take a public stance on social or political issues.

Gen Z is 2.8x more likely to buy from a company that supports mental health awareness (61%) than from one that doesn't mention it at all (22%).

45% of Gen Z says they’ve stopped buying from a brand because of how it handled an environmental issue.

57% of Gen Z believes it’s important for brands to actively support diversity in their advertising and hiring practices.

Among Gen Z shoppers, 38% prioritize sustainability over price, even if eco-friendly options cost more.

66% of Gen Z say they feel more connected to brands that support LGBTQ+ rights, while 19% say it doesn’t affect their buying decisions.

49% of Gen Z research a brand’s values before making their first purchase.

28% of Gen Z say they’ve posted on social media to support a cause they care about within the last month.

Gen Z is 3.1x more likely to promote a brand that aligns with their values (64%) than one that doesn’t stand for anything (21%).

53% of Gen Z believe transparency in how products are made is just as important as product quality.

41% of Gen Z say they’re more likely to forgive a brand’s mistake if it takes accountability and shows change.

Among Gen Z consumers, 34% avoid fast fashion brands due to environmental concerns.

59% of Gen Z say seeing brands support causes year-round matters more than temporary campaigns during awareness months.

46% of Gen Z feel empowered when brands amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.

Gen Z is 2.5x more likely to buy from a brand with visible ethical practices (58%) than one with a perfect aesthetic but unclear values (23%).

36% of Gen Z say they’ve paid more for a product simply because the brand supports a cause they believe in.

Trends in Communication & Engagement

61% of Gen Z prefer sending voice notes over typing long texts when chatting with friends.

54% of Gen Z use emojis in nearly every digital conversation, while only 18% say they prefer plain text.

Gen Z is 2.7x more likely to use DMs for brand interactions (63%) than comment sections (23%).

43% of Gen Z say they respond faster on Snapchat than on any other messaging platform.

38% of Gen Z has joined a private online community or group chat around a shared interest in the last year.

72% of Gen Z prefers short replies like “lol,” “bet,” or emojis instead of full sentences in casual conversations.

Among Gen Z, 58% say they feel more comfortable expressing opinions in group chats than on public posts.

49% of Gen Z believes using the wrong tone in a message can lead to misunderstandings more than saying the wrong thing out loud.

Gen Z is 3.1x more likely to engage with brands that use informal, conversational language (66%) than those that sound overly polished (21%).

33% of Gen Z has used a meme or reaction image in a professional or academic chat at least once.

57% of Gen Z feel more engaged in conversations that include GIFs or reaction content.

41% of Gen Z has started conversations with brands via emoji replies or sticker interactions on Stories.

Gen Z users are 2.4x more likely to stay active in messaging threads with visual content (59%) than with text-only chats (25%).

64% of Gen Z say they prefer messaging over email for time-sensitive communication.

29% of Gen Z has ghosted a brand or creator after receiving too many notifications or push messages.

51% of Gen Z says they feel more connected to creators who reply to comments or messages directly.

Conclusion

Trying to connect with Gen Z means stepping into their world, not dragging them into yours. They move fast, expect honesty, and can spot a marketing gimmick instantly. But when something clicks, they don’t just engage, they amplify it. 

These 150+ stats give you a window into what’s working in 2025 and what’s being ignored. From how they spend their time online to what earns their trust, the patterns are clear: be clear, be real, and meet them where they are. 

This generation isn’t waiting around for the perfect campaign. They’re already out there making decisions, sharing content, and shaping conversations. 

If your brand can tap into what matters to them, you’re not just staying relevant. You’re building something that lasts. 

Keep these insights close and use them to guide the way you plan, create, and connect. Because when it comes to Gen Z, every scroll, share, and follow counts.