SEO slug: gen-z-2025-favorite-content-formats
How many hours does Gen Z spend online every day? Over 6 hours and 40 minutes.
That’s more screen time than a full-length Lord of the Rings movie—every single day! For creators, tapping into Gen Z’s fast-changing content habits isn’t just smart, it’s essential. So, what formats are really winning on their feeds in 2025, and how can you ride the wave?
Short-Form Video is the King (But TV Isn’t Dead)
Remember when YouTube was the only place for video content? Yeah, those days are long gone. TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram have turned fast, punchy, vertical videos into a daily ritual. But here’s the twist—even though phones rule, almost a quarter of Gen Z’s short-form vids play on TV screens.
- TikTok: Still at the top of Gen Z’s must-scroll list. The For You page remains one of the best places to launch a viral trend—if you can ride that wave fast enough.
- Snapchat: Spotlight and private Snaps give Gen Z their dose of “realness” and creativity. No filters? No problem.
- Instagram Reels & Stories: Huge for quick hits of entertainment and seamless product drops.
- Vertical video: Non-negotiable. If your video isn’t built for their phone, it’s not getting watched.
Favorite Short-Form Features
- Filters that are more fun than facial (think memes, not beauty)
- Stickers and interactive buttons
- Music and sounds that beg for parodies
- Challenges they can remix with friends
Don’t Sleep on Long-Form: YouTube, Livestreams, and Deep Dives
Short stuff is hot, but when a topic really clicks, Gen Z settles in for the long haul. We’re talking deep-dive explainer videos, video essays, and livestream marathons.
- YouTube: Where Gen Z goes for everything from “What If” science breakdowns to hour-long video essays about video games.
- Twitch & YouTube Livestreams: Community means everything. If you can keep a chat hopping for hours, you’ll turn casual scrollers into loyal followers.
- Playlists of 5–10 minute videos give just enough info, but not so much you lose your viewer halfway.
Quick Story
A creator named Chris launched a series of 10-minute video essays about vintage sneakers. After two months and a few viral TikToks driving fans to his YouTube, he woke up to 80,000 loyal subscribers commenting on every new video and even suggesting future episode topics. “I never thought people would want deep dives on shoes,” Chris said, “but the secret was giving them something entertaining to binge (and a chance to be part of the conversation in the comments).”
Interactive, Authentic, and Always Up for Co-Creation
Want to win Gen Z? Don't just talk at them—talk with them. This generation craves interaction and authenticity in every post, story, and video.
The Winning Ingredients:
- Challenges they can join and reinterpret, especially with catchy tracks or built-in duets.
- Memes they can tweak and share.
- Comment sections where their voices get heard—because if your replies lag, they’ll bounce.
- Polls, Q&As, and “choose what happens next” videos that make them a producer, not just a viewer.
Bullet Point: Why Two-Way Engagement Wins
- Builds loyalty (and the algorithm loves it)
- Turns viewers into collaborators
- Makes community management your #1 growth hack
Platform Power Moves: Where and How to Post
- Instagram: Beyond pretty pics—Gen Z uses Stories for updates, shopping, and even polling their friends on what to buy next.
- TikTok: Top income and trend-spotting platform. Brands and creators who move fastest get most rewarded.
- YouTube: Still the champ for long-form and collabs. Brand-creator partnerships = trust.
- Snapchat: Raw, fleeting, and personal. Spotlight features boost unexpected creators into overnight fame.
- LinkedIn (yes, really): If you’re reaching for a professional or niche crowd, LinkedIn’s doubled the average post views vs. Instagram for creators with 40k+ followers.
Want to test something new? Audio clips are picking up steam (think Spotify’s Clips and voice messages in DMs) for quick, authentic connections.
What Makes Gen Z Hit Follow—Or Unfollow?
It’s not just about what you post. It’s how genuine you feel and how well you respond. Gen Z can spot fake brand talk a mile away.
Content Characteristics That Work
- Authentic and honest: Unfiltered, yes—but also trustworthy.
- Entertaining: Humor, creativity, or just plain weird. Being boring is the real sin.
- Responsive: Like, reply, share user posts. Go silent and you’re ghosted.
- Relatable genres: From anime and dramas to music and user-made shorts—mix it up.
Monetization and Influence: Show Me the Receipts
Surprised to learn a third of Gen Z has made a purchase just because a creator said so? Don’t be—89% of marketers say they’re spending at least as much, if not more, on influencer partnerships now compared to previous years.
- TikTok is #1 for creator earnings in 2025 (30% call it their top income source).
- YouTube follows at 26%, but here’s the real winning strategy: spread your content across platforms for maximum reach and revenue.
So, What’s Next for Creators?
Here’s the bottom line: Gen Z’s attention is everywhere—and nowhere for long. The formats that win in 2025 are short, punchy, interactive, and real, but there’s always room for a binge-worthy deep dive if you bring the energy and invite the audience along for the ride.
Are you ready to ditch the rulebook and meet Gen Z where they are? What content format will you try first?
