What is TOP 10 reasons for Malaysian use the internet in 2024?

It appears that Malaysians engage with the internet for a diverse range of purposes, encompassing information-seeking, entertainment, social connection, and practical research. This multifaceted use reflects the integral role the internet plays in various aspects of daily life in Malaysia. Here are the main reasons for using the internet in Malaysia.

1. Finding Information (78.3%): The majority of Malaysians utilize the internet as a primary source for obtaining information. This could include a wide range of topics such as educational resources, DIY guides, or general knowledge acquisition.

2. News and Events (68.3%): A significant portion of the population relies on the internet for staying informed about current news and events. Online news portals and social media platforms are likely key sources for real-time updates.

3. In Touch with Friends and Families (68.2%): Connecting with friends and family remains a central aspect of internet use in Malaysia. Social media platforms and messaging apps likely play a crucial role in facilitating communication and maintaining relationships.

4. Researching How to Do Things (64.0%): Malaysians show a considerable interest in using the internet for practical purposes, such as researching and learning how to perform various tasks or acquire new skills.

5. Watching Videos, TV Shows, or Movies (62.8%): Entertainment is a significant driver for internet usage. Malaysians often turn to online platforms for streaming videos, TV shows, and movies, reflecting a trend toward digital media consumption.

6. Finding New Ideas (62.4%): The internet serves as a platform for inspiration and creativity, with a substantial percentage of Malaysians using it to discover new ideas for personal or professional endeavors.

7. General Browsing (61.6%): Many individuals engage in general browsing, exploring various online content without a specific focus. This indicates a penchant for internet users in Malaysia to explore and discover content organically.

8. Research Products and Brands (58.7%): Online research is a common practice when it comes to products and brands. Malaysians leverage the internet to gather information before making purchasing decisions.

9. Listen to Music (53.5%): Music remains a popular form of online entertainment, with over half of the population using the internet to access and enjoy music through various streaming platforms.

10. Research for Places, Vacations, and Travel (51.8%): A significant portion of Malaysians use the internet to plan and research travel-related information, indicating a reliance on online resources for exploring new destinations and making travel arrangements.

What is the TOP browsing platform to find information?

What is the TOP 5 channels/sources are used for users discovering a brand?

From the data graph shown, there is a distribution of user preferences across different channels for discovering information about brands or a company.

(1)Majority of users rely on search engines to discover information about brands. Almost 55.6% (top) Malaysian perform online brand research through Search Engine.

This underscores the importance of search engine optimization (SEO) strategies for brand visibility and information accessibility. Statistics show that the top browser being used is Chrome (70.3%), in which mostly Malaysians are using Google search engine in doing research. With the higher usage of Google Chrome browser in performing searches via search engine, promoting Google advertising specifically through Google Search Marketing (SEM) and the Google Display Network (GDN), can be a valuable addition to your marketing plan in Malaysia. Because advertising on Google platforms ensures a high level of visibility among the target audience to create your branding and grow your business.

Google advertising offers a powerful and flexible platform for reaching and engaging your target audience in Malaysia. The combination of Google Search Marketing and the Google Display Network provides a comprehensive approach, allowing you to capture user attention at different stages of their online journey. By utilising the robust targeting options and analytics provided by Google Ads, you can tailor your marketing strategy for optimal results.

(2)Social networks (52.6%)are a prominent channel for brand discovery, showcasing the significant influence of social media platforms in digital marketing. Social media management, marketing, engagement, and content creation are important for reaching and connecting with audiences. Proper planning in content creation and constant maintaining social media accounts with updates post could increase brand awareness and your customer’s loyalty towards your brand.

(3)Another factor is emphasis on reputation management, which is known as ‘consumer reviews’ (43%). The reliance on consumer reviews highlights the critical role of online reputation management. Positive reviews can enhance brand credibility, while negative reviews may impact brand perception. Brands should actively manage and respond to consumer feedback.

(4)Owning a website is important. Around 39.7% showing users are looking for a brand by visiting the brand’s website for information. This emphasizes the significance of having an informative and user-friendly website that serves as a central hub for brand details, product information, and engagement.

(5)Once you have your brand’s website, next thing you can consider mobile-focused approach. There is 33.7% of users relying on mobile apps suggests a growing importance of mobile platforms in digital marketing. Brands should ensure their online presence is optimized for mobile devices, and developing user-friendly apps can enhance customer engagement.

With referring the above statistical data, brands should adopt a multi-channel digital marketing approach, considering the diverse preferences of users. A holistic strategy that combines search engine optimization, social media marketing, reputation management, and a strong website presence is crucial.

Talking about social media, it is placed at 2nd top channel being used in Malaysia. Let’s dig more about social media platforms.

What are the most favourite social media platforms in 2024?

We need a strategic and adaptable approach to reach and engage audiences across various social media platforms. With most favourite platform for engaging user still Whatsapp (26.8%), follow with TikTok (21.9%), Facebook (18.8%), Instagram (14.0%), X(Twitter) (3.8%) and a recent popular channel called ‘XiaoHongShu’ (3.5%).

TikTok’s substantial user base suggests a growing interest in short-form video content. TikTok cater to visual-centric content preferences. Brands can leverage TikTok’s creative features for engaging and entertaining content to reach a younger audience.

Facebook , Instagram and X (Twitter) still remain a major player in digital marketing, offering diverse advertising options. These platforms still perform real-time engagement with quick updates, visually engaging posts, stories, and collaborations with influencers. and customer interaction.

XiaoHongShu is a recent new platform. Since 2020-2021, XiaoHongShu has penetrated into Malaysia market. It’s targeting Malaysian-Chinese demography. XiaoHongShu is similar to Instagram, hence, people call it ‘Chinese Instagram’. Xiaohongshu facilitates a visual storytelling approach, allowing users to share their interests and experiences through images and captions. The platform’s emphasis on visual content fosters a vibrant and interactive community where users can connect with like-minded individuals, follow influencers, and discover new trends. XiaoHongShu’s presence suggests the popularity of this platform for e-commerce and product discovery.

In conclusion, Malaysia’s digital marketing trend in 2024 is characterised by a high level of internet adoption, diverse internet usage, and a preference for specific social media platforms. Digital marketing strategies should be adaptable, emphasizing SEO, social media engagement, reputation management (such as consumer reviews or testimonial) , brand’s website development and mobile optimization to effectively reach and engage the diverse Malaysian audience in different ways.