Enterprise Digital Transformation Must-Read: Leveraging the Digital Report 2025 to Explore Markets via Social Marketing

In recent years, social media has become a crucial territory for brand marketing. According to the "Digital Report 2025," the number of global social media users has reached 5.24 billion, a 4.1% increase from the previous year, presenting immense market potential for brands. This article will explore how brands can leverage social media to expand their market presence, based on the current state of social media globally and in Hong Kong, offering scientific, professional, and comprehensive recommendations.



● Global Social Media Status and Trends

User Motivations for Social Platform Usage

According to the latest GWI research, "staying connected with friends and family" remains the primary reason people use social media today. Surprisingly, however, just under half of active social media users (50.8%) cite this as a relevant motivation.

"Filling spare time" ranks second globally, which may explain why the "endless news feed" has become a ubiquitous feature of social media applications. Furthermore, over one-third of active social users (34.5%) report that "reading news stories" is a key reason for their visits to social platforms.



Competitive Landscape of Major Social Platforms

In terms of active user numbers, the top 5 social platforms are YouTube, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.



Among the world's most favored social platforms, Instagram leads, with 16.6% of adult social media users considering it their favorite platform. WhatsApp follows closely in second place globally with 16%, while Facebook ranks third with 13.1%. WeChat and TikTok place fourth and fifth, respectively.



● Characteristics of Social Media in Hong Kong

User Motivations for Social Platform Usage

DataReportal figures show that as of January 2025, Hong Kong's population stands at 7.4 million, with active social media user identities reaching 6.15 million. Long-term, this number equates to 83.1% of Hong Kong's total population at the start of 2025.



Slightly differing from global data, the primary reason Hong Kong users engage with social media is "filling spare time," followed by "staying connected with friends and family." "Reading news stories" remains the third most cited reason.



Competitive Landscape of Mainstream Social Platforms

The most used and most favored social platforms in Hong Kong also show slight variations from global trends.

Most Used Platforms: Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, WeChat, Messenger.

Most Favored Platforms: WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WeChat.



△ Most Used Social Platforms



△ Most Favored Social Platforms

How can brands leverage this data with social marketing to explore markets?

Precise Targeting of Audience

The big data analytics capabilities of social platforms enable brands to precisely target their intended audience. By analyzing user demographics, interests, and consumption habits, brands can develop personalized social marketing strategies. For instance, a beauty brand can push makeup tutorials or product reviews based on user interests, thereby increasing conversion rates.

Creative Content and Interaction Strategies

On social platforms, content creativity and interactivity are key to attracting users. Brands can foster deep engagement through short-form videos, live streams, and topical challenges. For example, a renowned e-commerce platform rapidly expanded its user base by integrating product display pages directly within social media feeds, leveraging social propagation effects. Additionally, brands can stimulate user participation through online events and giveaways.

Data-Driven Marketing Optimization

Analytical tools on social platforms help brands monitor campaign performance in real-time and adjust strategies based on user feedback. For instance, a cosmetics brand analyzed high-frequency keywords in User-Generated Content (UGC), identified "ingredient safety" as a key consumer concern, and subsequently adjusted its messaging, resulting in a 40% month-on-month increase in share of voice.

Cross-Platform Integration and Synergy

With the diversification of social platforms, brands need to integrate resources across multiple channels to achieve synergistic effects. For example, a brand might publish detailed product reviews on Facebook while launching short video tutorials on YouTube. Such an integrated cross-platform strategy not only expands brand influence but also enhances user engagement and loyalty.

Conclusion: Seizing the Infinite Potential of Social Platforms

Social platforms have now become a vital battlefield for brands seeking business growth. Through precise targeting, creative content, data-driven decisions, and cross-platform integration, brands can achieve rapid business expansion in this arena. Moving forward, as technology evolves and user demands shift, social platforms will present both new opportunities and challenges for brands. Only through continuous innovation and agile adaptation can brands maintain a competitive edge in this dynamic market.