For interaction with companies or brands online, Facebook is the most popular platform with millennials, followed by Twitter and Pinterest, according to recent research from The Center for Marketing Research at University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.
The study was based on data from a survey of 576 Millennials (defined in the report as those born between 1980 and 2000) who were asked about their interactions with brands on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
A large majority of respondents (62%) say they like at least one brand on Facebook, compared with 23% who follow a brand on Twitter and 11% who have pinned a brand on Pinterest.
Below, additional key findings from the report.
Why Millennials Interact With Brands
- Across all platforms, the top reason Millennials like, follow, or pin is to support a brand.
- The next most commonly cited reason is to receive regular updates from brands, followed by the desire to get coupons or discounts.
- Respondents said those companies offering coupons or discounts in exchange for a like/follow/pin would be most likely to see an increase in sales.
Pinterest Drives Purchasing
- 47% of Millennials surveyed with Pinterest accounts say they've purchased something online after pinning it.
- In contrast, only 38% of Facebook users and 33% of Twitter users say they've purchased something from a brand after Liking or following it online.
Multi-Channel Shopping
- 77% of millennial Facebook users, 66% of Twitter users, and 63% of Pinterest users are multichannel shoppers (after viewing something on a social network they've made purchases both online and in stores).
- Pinterest users are the most likely to purchase exclusively online.
About the research: The study was conducted by Nora Ganim Barnes and Ava M. Lescault of The Center for Marketing Research at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. It was based on data from a survey of 576 US respondents born between 1980 and 2000 (49% male and 51% female).
