In the past, advertisers spent big on TV ads, billboards, and radio spots to influence consumer buying behaviour. But in the last decade, everything has changed.

Social Media Has Become the New Shopping Destination

Platforms like Instagram and TikTok aren’t just for scrolling anymore — they are *discovery engines*. Users scroll feeds, watch short videos, and find products through creators they trust.

“More than 60% of consumers discover new brands and products via social media.” — GlobalWebIndex¹

That’s a massive cultural shift. Instead of ads interrupting what we’re watching, social discovery happens while we’re already *engaged*.

TikTok & Instagram Influence Purchase Decisions Deeply

Social content is inherently shareable, visual, and emotionally resonant — all features that make purchase decisions faster and more frequent.

Consider these recent findings:

• Instagram: Over 80% of users say the platform helps them decide what to buy.²
• TikTok: Nearly 50% of users have bought a product after seeing it on TikTok.³

These platforms have become digital storefronts where influence and authenticity drive decisions.

The Rise of Social Proof Over Traditional Advertising

Traditional ads rely on reach and repetition. Social media thrives on *trust and relatability*.

“Consumers trust recommendations from people they follow more than traditional ads.” — Nielsen⁴

In other words, people are now more likely to buy something because a creator or friend shared it — not because they saw a 30-second spot on TV.

Brands Are Shifting Their Budgets Accordingly

Major brands no longer prioritise massive TV buys as their primary strategy. Instead, they invest in social campaigns, creator partnerships, and influencer-led content.

According to media analysts:

• Digital ad spend is now larger than TV ad spend globally for the first time. (WARC, 2024)
• Brands expect influencer marketing to grow at 20% year-over-year through 2027. (Statista)

That represents a seismic shift in *where attention and purchasing influence actually live*.

Why Authentic Product Discovery Matters

Social content doesn’t just expose users to products — it gives context:

• How the product *fits into real life*
• What creators *love about it*
• How multiple complementary products *work together*

That context matters because consumers don’t just want information. They want *stories, experiences, and relevance*.

Where Wishr Enters the Picture

Wishr* sits at the intersection of social discovery and conversion. Instead of a user seeing something on TikTok or Instagram and losing the link in comments, Wishr lets creators and brands build *persistent, organized, shoppable lists* that follow the consumer.

That matters because:

• Users can save products *from anywhere* (not just one store)
• Creators can curate lists that convert intent into action
• Brands can surface collections that match *trending social moments*
• Shared wishlists act as evergreen content — not ephemeral posts

Wishr Amplifies Social Discovery Into Sales

When social platforms drive awareness, Wishr captures intent and turns it into behaviour you can measure:

• Users save trending products to their lists
• Friends share lists on social channels
• Creators use lists to drive affiliate commissions
• Brands can analyse *which products resonate* across social traffic sources

Cross-Platform Visibility for Brands and Creators

Wishr lists aren’t tied to a single app or platform. Instead, they act as a portable piece of social content you can share via:

• Instagram bios
• TikTok links
• Twitter threads
• Email newsletters
• Blog posts

That portability means your product discoveries become *evergreen stories instead of disappearing posts*.

Why This Matters for Brand Growth

Social media captures attention. Wishr captures intent. When these work together:

• Brand awareness increases
• Social traffic turns into conversions
• Loyal audiences become repeat purchasers
• Creators become lifelong advocates

Conclusion

Social platforms like TikTok and Instagram aren’t just channels — they are *the modern storefront*. Awareness now lives in feeds, comments, and creator content.

But attention alone doesn’t equal revenue. You need a mechanism to turn social discovery into a decision — and that’s where Wishr adds tremendous value.

Wishr helps brands and creators convert social influence into measurable results:

• Persistent, shoppable lists
• Universal product curation
• Cross-platform sharing
• Data-driven visibility into what customers *actually want*

In a world where social media drives buying behaviour more than traditional advertising, Wishr helps brands capture intent, boost awareness, and increase sales — with tools built for the way people *shop today*.

Sources

1. GlobalWebIndex — How Consumers Discover Brands on Social Media.
2. Instagram Business Insights — Social platform influence on purchase decisions.
3. TikTok Internal Data & Consumer Reports — Percentage of users making purchases influenced by TikTok content.
4. Nielsen — Consumer trust and social recommendations over traditional advertising.