Instagram vs. TikTok: The Battle for Teen Attention
When it comes to social media preferences among teens, Instagram continues to reign supreme. However, TikTok is quickly gaining ground as the go-to platform for entertainment.
The latest research from Piper Sandler sheds light on the evolving trends in teen behavior and social media usage. Based on a survey of over 13,000 U.S. teens, the report reveals some interesting insights.

While TikTok has emerged as the most liked social app among teens, Instagram continues to dominate in terms of usage, with a 7% increase in popularity since the last survey. Snapchat, on the other hand, has seen a slight decline.
Aside from these platforms, Pinterest has seen a rise in interest among teens, while Facebook has experienced a minor resurgence. Twitter, however, has witnessed a decrease in teen usage.
Instagram’s enduring appeal can be attributed to its user-friendly interface and established networks. Additionally, Meta’s focus on AI-recommended content has led to increased engagement on the platform, with a recent report highlighting a surge in young adult users on Facebook.
While these findings may not drastically alter your marketing strategies, it’s worth considering the potential of platforms like Pinterest and the improved targeting capabilities of Facebook. Nevertheless, Instagram and TikTok still remain the top choices for reaching younger audiences.
You can access the complete Piper Sandler study here.