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Gen Z’s Most-Used Social Media Features, App by App

Gen Z uses the features on different platforms to match how they want to connect, express themselves, or be entertained on each…

Written and Edited by the YPulse Editorial Team

Jun 19 2025
North America

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Gen Z is fans of TikTok Reposts, Instagram Stories, and Reels that let them interact on social media indirectly and casually
Snapchat is a truly social platform, so they’re using Snap Map and Stories most to keep close tabs on their friends
YouTube Shorts deliver on TikTok-style, video-driven content in a familiar space, giving Gen Z the entertainment they love

YPulse has said it before: Gen Z isn’t using every social platform the same way. Whether they’re watching deep-dive explainers on YouTube or sending quick messages on Snapchat, each app serves a specific purpose in their day-to-day. And it’s not just about the platforms themselves—the features within them matter, too. From Reels and Stories to Snap Maps and TikTok Reposts, their specific engagement reveals exactly what keeps them coming back to their favorite apps. For brands, it’s not enough to know what platform Gen Z is spending their time—though we have that data, too—it’s also important to understand how exactly...