Why Gen Z Is Leaving Traditional Social Media for Community-First Platforms

Gen Z Dials Down on Traditional Social Media

In a surprising shift, a recent survey from PartnerCentric reveals that 41% of Americans and a staggering 48% of Gen Z are planning to scale back their social media use in 2025. Stephanie Harris, the CEO of PartnerCentric, indicates that Gen Z is "voting with their thumbs" as they increasingly turn away from platforms they've traditionally frequented.

The Great Social Media Exodus

Among the broader population, 16% have quit at least one social media platform in 2025, with this statistic rising to 18% for Gen Z users. This exodus points to a fundamental change: a significant portion of social media users, approximately 43%, are primarily consuming content rather than engaging with it. While brands might cling to disruptive marketing tactics, they risk losing touch with audiences that are more interested in authentic, relatable content.

The Role of Community-First Channels

Facebook may still dominate as the most popular social platform—86% of respondents report spending an average of two hours on it—but a new landscape is emerging. Community-driven platforms like Reddit and Discord are gaining traction, especially among younger users. About 40% of Gen Z are active on Discord, which Harris notes offers a "digital living room" experience. The implication for marketers? They need to adapt their strategies to meet audiences where they’re genuinely engaged.

Shifting Search Behaviors of Gen Z

With the rise of generative AI, traditional search engines like Google are facing competition from social platforms. For instance, 10% of Gen Z now prefers TikTok for product information rather than Google. This highlights the urgency for brands to reassess their SEO strategies to include social discovery as a key element. Just optimizing for Google won’t suffice any longer; it's about being present where conversations and community engagement are happening.

What This Shift Means for Marketers

The fragmentation of attention across channels indicates a need for businesses to rethink their customer acquisition strategies. The rise of community-first platforms suggests that brands should prioritize creating organic connections over disruptively promoting products. This might involve a shift from purely commercial content to storytelling that resonates on a human level. As Harris emphasizes, the content that makes an impact isn't polished advertising; it's relatable, raw, and resonates with experiences that followers live daily.

Positioning Your Brand in a Community-Driven World

To successfully engage consumers in this new landscape, consider testing new approaches. Whether it's providing value through educational content or fostering conversations in community forums, actionable insights are key. Marketers must embrace listening and engaging first before pushing promotional content. The essence of connecting with Gen Z involves being authentic and avoiding the marketer's bias that assumes what people want based on sales pitches.

As the social media ecosystem transforms, understanding and adapting to these changes will not only enhance branding efforts but also refine lead generation and customer acquisition strategies. If you’re a business owner looking to scale your operations, now is the time to embrace community-driven channels and revolutionize how you engage with your customers.