Why Social Media Advertising Is on the Rise —and What You Should Do About It.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, young minds are constantly being shaped by what they see and engage with online. With social media becoming an integral part of daily life—especially for those born in the early 2000s and beyond—the way we make decisions, form opinions, and even develop our sense of identity is changing. As a result, social media advertising has become one of the most powerful tools in modern marketing, influencing everything from purchasing habits to brand loyalty—particularly among younger generations.

Young Minds, Young Hearts, Young Decisions

What we see and allow ourselves to focus on affects our decisions and how we perceive the world. With our attention spans becoming increasingly shorter (see our blog post on 3 Ways to Keep Viewers Interested in Social Media ), social media makes it easy to consume content quickly—and that rapid consumption affects how we respond. Something that seems important in the moment may feel insignificant just minutes later.

One key reason why social media advertising is so prevalent is because the generation born in the late '90s and early 2000s has grown up with it. With Facebook launching in 2004, a wave of change began in how people purchase, communicate, and connect with brands. Now, in 2025, a 21-year-old would have been born in 2004—meaning they’ve never known a world without social media.

Human development research shows that peer relationships and future-oriented thinking become more prominent in adolescence (ages 15–21), and the brain doesn't fully develop until around age 25. This means that the content consumed during formative years can directly influence thought patterns and behaviors. The idea of “if my friend has it, I want it too” or “this influencer says I need it to succeed” drives many of the decisions young people make today.

When peers use a product or platform, their friends and family often follow—creating a ripple effect that advertisers can use.

Everyone Uses It

Another major reason social media advertising is so powerful: everyone uses it.

Statistics reveal that over 4.8 billion people were active on social media, spending an average of 2.25 hours per day scrolling. That adds up to approximately 67.5 hours per month—time spent consuming content, much of which includes advertising.

In fact, about 42% (when tied with Facebook, Instagram and Linked in) of the posts people see are ads. If you scroll through 180 social media videos, roughly 72 of them would be advertisements. These aren’t random ads either—they’re highly targeted, based on the platform’s data on your preferences, behaviors, and interactions.

More Affordable

Social media advertising is also significantly more affordable than traditional forms of advertising.

For example:

• A local TV commercial typically costs between $5–$100 per 1,000 views.

• Social media ads can range from as little as $1 to $50 per 1,000 views.

Consider billboard advertising: traditional billboards can cost anywhere from $750 to $14,000 depending on location, while digital billboards may range from $1,200 to $15,000 per month.

The advantage of social media? You can target your ideal audience specifically, rather than paying to reach everyone. This means better allocation of marketing dollars and higher return on investment (ROI).

What Does This Have to Do With Me?

If you have a business and aren’t using social media advertising effectively, you’re likely leaving money on the table or spending it in places that will not be as effective.

If this is you, Start by identifying your target audience and test your campaigns until you find what works. If a specific audience doesn’t yield results, adjust your targeting and try again.

Review your current marketing strategy. Ask yourself:

• What’s working?

• What isn’t?

• How can we increase ROI?

Then, allocate your marketing budget accordingly and focus your efforts where they matter most.

Here is an example of social media content that Blume created while thinking about those questions! For more examples, check out the link below to see Blumes Social Media Projects.

https://www.blumevideo.com/our-video-production-work/social-media

Conclusion

If you're running a business in 2025 and you're not leveraging the power of social media advertising, you're missing out on valuable visibility and revenue. Today’s consumers—especially younger ones—are influenced by their peers and the influencers they follow online. Social media provides a more affordable, targeted, and scalable way to reach these audiences compared to traditional advertising.

It’s no longer about casting the widest net—it’s about finding and engaging the right audience with the right message. Take the time to assess your marketing strategy, identify any gaps, and realign your efforts. Because in a world where everyone is online, being absent means being invisible.

🎥 Need Help Getting Started?

If you’re wondering how to integrate story-based social media ad content into your marketing strategy, we’d love to help.

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References:

Study highlights frequency of ads on popular social media platforms. PPAI. (2023, August 14). https://www.ppai.org/media-hub/study-highlights-frequency-of-ads-on-popular-social-media-platforms/

Social Media Statistics Details - undiscovered Maine - University of Maine. Undiscovered Maine. (2023, December 29). https://umaine.edu/undiscoveredmaine/small-business/resources/marketing-for-small-business/social-media-tools/social-media-statistics-details/