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Most Gen Z Use Social Media as a Search Engine

YPulse data shows Gen Z is using social media for search as much as they’re Googling…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Feb 7 2024
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

While they’re still “Googling it,” the majority of Gen Z and Millennials are using social media to search, too
Young people value social media for new information because there are different perspectives available
But don’t be fooled, these gens are aware social media is not the best for reliable info and are just as concerned about misinformation as everyone else

Headlines about TikTok gaining popularity (and trustworthiness) as a search engine, particularly among Gen Z, have been circulating for well over a year now. Google itself has made note of the shift: in 2022, a Google senior vice president said, “In our studies, something like almost 40 percent of young people, when they’re looking for a place for lunch, they don’t go to Google Maps or Search. They go to TikTok or Instagram.” The reality is, searching on social media is often a more interactive experience than using traditional search engines (read: short videos), which makes it super appealing and...