Last week, we took a look at the most popular mobile apps for millennials. This week, we are going to delve into the habits of Gen Z. Each generation has their stereotypes and this one is no exception. But at the end of the day, do our assumptions match reality? What types of apps are Gen Z most engaged with and interested in? Perhaps surprisingly, the answer does not lie in shopping apps, productivity apps, or trendy personal finance apps. And when it comes to building an app marketing strategy, it’s important to research deeply. So read ahead to find out more about the most popular apps amongst Gen Z.
Twitch – Popular App for Streaming
Twitch is a top buzz app for Gen Z. The focus of the platform is live streaming and on it you can watch anything from O&As to cooking to music. However, the main attraction of the site is the ability to watch video game livestreams. Millions of people log onto the app every day in order to watch broadcasters play games while they live chat. This allows gamers to tune into different streams in order to get an idea of whether or not a specific game makes sense for them to purchase. Additionally, the app gives viewers the opportunity to connect with streamers in a similar fashion to YouTube and feel as though they are getting recommendations or learning from a friend rather than from a stranger. This app is the closest of all top mobile apps to being in the gaming genre, asserting that Gen Z is shockingly less interested in gaming apps than their predecessors.
Reddit: The Front Page of the Internet
Reddit is the most comprehensive forum site on the internet today. It is the seventh most popular site in the United States and Gen Z is included in the demographic of those who use it avidly. The site contains a large collection of forums called “subreddits” in which users can share news or opinions and comment on each other’s posts. The front page of the site shows posts that are trending on the site from various subreddits, which updates periodically. In addition, users can also search topics and subreddits using the search bar feature of the app. Reddit boasts as many active monthly users as Twitter, and its users are just as engaged and passionate as those who tweet. Using the site presents Gen Z with the opportunity to plug into a worldwide community and interact with those as close as next door or as far as across the ocean. With Gen Z’s native fluency with technology and their affinity for forming online relationships, it is no wonder that Reddit is included in the list of popular apps for Gen Z users.
TikTok – The Top Social Media App
Tik Tok is well known for being one of the most used apps of the Gen Z demographic. The majority of Tik Tok influencers that have exploded since the app’s inception have come from their generation and the sphere of influence is wide. Of its 27 million monthly users, 69% are between the ages of 13 and 24. Similar to Vine, the now-defunct app owned by Twitter, TikTok is a short-form content platform. Users make videos no longer than one-minute which can be set to music or filtered or dubbed over. TikTok is famous for being a platform where anyone can go viral on any given day.
Trending dances to songs like “Renegade” and “Say So” took the world by storm, but Gen Z finds all kinds of useful content on the app in many different categories. Whether it’s a recipe for quick and delicious pasta, or a list of free Instagrammable spots in New York City, TikTok has proved its function as a resource guide in addition to an entertainment platform. The same way millennials flock to Pinterest for wedding decor ideas and party themes, Gen Z hops onto TikTok to scroll through advice for nailing their first interview or furnishing their first apartments. Gen Z is big on video and on bite-sized content so it is no wonder that this group is drawn to the exciting nature of TikTok. As well as constantly seeing new videos, they are able to exercise their creativity by easily becoming content creators without the burden of length that comes with YouTube.
Snapchat – One of the Best Free Apps
Like TikTok, Snapchat is one of the top mobile apps for Gen Z users. Snapchat reportedly reaches 90% of 13-34 year olds in the United States, an explosive number for an app on the market. Based on this number, it is easy to see that Gen Z users the app more than any other demographic that uses mobile apps. The platform is photo-based but unlike Instagram, photos shared do not automatically stay on a record in the app. Instead, users can send photos to one another that disappear in between 3 and 10 seconds, or they can post stories that disappear after 24 hours. Like TikTok, the app takes advantage of its audience’s interest in constantly seeing new content. There is also a memories feature which shows snaps from years past on the same date that you open the app today. Snaps that are saved in the moment show up in the memories bank similar to the TimeHop feature on Facebook. This allows users to choose what content will be seen again while saving the rest as in the moment captures of time and events. The chat feature in Snapchat also allows users to message one another about stories or photos exchanged between friends. Friends who snap each other regularly receive rewards in the form of fire emojis for streaks and hearts for different levels of “best friend” status. With a variety of features that make the social media experience entirely unique, it’s no wonder that Gen Z shows no sign of slowing down its usage of Snapchat.
Unfold: Best Task Management App for Instagram Stories
Unfold is a design app created to upgrade Instagram Stories through a variety of preformatted templates. On top of this, the app offers users many different fonts and editing tools. Additionally, a mix of free and premium tools makes Unfold not only one of the most popular Gen Z apps, but one of the best selling apps in their market. While Canva boasts a variety of templates and tools for social media managers, Unfold caters to a more of an influencer-style user base. Celebrities such as Selena Gomez, Mariah Carey, and Kim Kardashian are known to use the app, along with major brands like Equinox and Tommy Hilfiger. When everyday Gen Z users maneuver the app, they are able to elevate themselves to the level of influencers and brands that they admire. And in an age where many are striving to be the next Addison Rae or Kylie Jenner, Unfold offers Gen Z the opportunity to begin curating their profiles in a similar fashion.
Best App Takeaways
Overall, Gen Z has shown that their values in an app differ greatly from those of the older generations. Snapchat and TikTok being the top social media apps make sense given that Gen Z loves imagery, specifically the medium of video. Like the generations before them, Gen Z values apps that appeal to their sense of community and desire to connect. But, Gen Z ultimately wants to find the most creative and innovative ways to express themselves and interact with others as well. When it comes to marketing your app, it is important not to overlook newer platforms such as TikTok, Snapchat, or even Twitch if their main audiences align with the target audience for your app. Additionally, when you are determining the value your app could have with the Gen Z market, it is important to keep in mind their interest in originality and genuine relationships.