By rsukhraj@hubspot.com (Ramona Sukhraj)

Let’s play a game: Tell me how old you are without telling me how old you are.

Not sure how to respond? Well, chances are your content consumption habits give you away.

For instance, I love Instagram and Netflix but have left my Snapchat stage behind and don’t understand Roblox.

(If you’re scratching your head, don’t worry. By the end of this article, you’ll be able to pinpoint my age, like the label on a wine bottle.)

In a world driven by content marketing, understanding how your target audience prefers to consume information is critical to getting your messages seen and heard. However, the specifics can differ dramatically based on age and generation.

Let’s break down some of each generation’s most prominent content consumption habits based on data and how to shape your strategy with them in mind.

Content Consumption Habits By Generation

To be real, I don’t like to put anyone in a box. Everyone’s different. Using me as an example again, I actually love watching television and network news, but this is uncommon with others in my generation.

All consumers are unique, but that level of personalization as a marketer isn’t really realistic. General benchmarks and statistical data, like those below, can inform a strategy you later test and refine.

Keep this in mind as we discuss:

• Gen Alpha Content Consumption Habits
• Gen Z Content Consumption Habits
• Millennial Content Consumption Habits
• Gen X Content Consumption Habits
• Baby Boomer Content Consumption Habits
• What content consumption habits do all generations have in common?

Note: Many of these trends are pulled from HubSpot’s 2024 Consumer Trends Report, based on our survey of over 700 US consumers.

You can download the full report here.

Gen Alpha Content Consumption Habits ​​

Members of Gen Alpha (born between 2012 and 2024) may not be buyers right now, but they are big consumers.

And they’re certainly influential in the purchases of their elders. Here’s what you need to know about their content consumption habits.

Video Preference

Gen Alpha is very young. Its members have limited independence and mobility, and over 50% own an iPad, so it’s no surprise video is a popular medium.

According to research firm Beano Brain, they think YouTube is “the coolest brand.”

Consumer research platform GWI also found YouTube to be the top video streaming platform for Gen Alpha in 11 out of 14 markets, second only to Netflix in the remaining three.

There’s something for every Gen Alpha on YouTube, ranging from education to entertainment. The youngest members are still in diapers, watching Ms. Rachel and Cocomelon, while older kids are leaning toward Like Nastya or even MrBeast.

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What can you do as a marketer? If you’re trying to get in front of Gen Alpha, invest in YouTube Marketing or consider partnering with YouTube influencers. We’ve got a …read more

Source:: HubSpot Blog

Author: Aaron