40+ Social Media Selling Statistics You Need to Drive More Sales [2026]

Social media is no longer just for scrolling—it’s a powerful sales tool. With over 4.9 billion users worldwide, businesses are leveraging social media to connect with buyers, drive sales, and build brand trust.

But how effective is social selling? The numbers speak for themselves: 78% of sales professionals using social media outsell those who don’t, and social commerce is expected to surpass $1.2 trillion in revenue by 2025.

Let’s dive into the latest social media selling statistics and understand how brands and consumers are shaping the future of online shopping.

General social media selling statistics

According to the latest statistics, 54% of social media users research products before making a purchase.

80% of consumers say they are more likely to buy from a brand they follow online.

Social commerce is expected to grow 3x faster than traditional eCommerce over the next five years.

It is interesting to note that 76% of consumers have purchased a product they saw in a social media post.

Shoppable posts and ads increase conversions by up to 40%.

Social media selling by platform: who’s leading?

Which social media platform did you buy from recently? Gen Zs trust Instagram the most. Let’s take a closer look at the statistics in detail:

1. Facebook Selling Statistics

• Facebook Marketplace has over 1 billion monthly users.
• 62% of online shoppers say they have discovered products on Facebook.
• Facebook ads generate an average conversion rate of 9.21%.

2. Instagram Selling Statistics

• 70% of shopping enthusiasts turn to Instagram for product discovery.
• Instagram’s shoppable posts increase conversion rates by 30-40%.
• 58% of Instagram users have bought a product directly from the platform.

3. TikTok Selling Statistics

• 67% of TikTok users say they were inspired to buy something after seeing it on TikTok.
• The #TikTokMadeMeBuyIt hashtag has over 80 billion views.
• Live shopping on TikTok increases conversion rates by 20-30%.

4. Pinterest Selling Statistics

• 90% of weekly pinners use the platform for shopping inspiration.
• 50% of Pinterest users have purchased a product after seeing a promoted pin.
• Shoppable pins drive higher order values than Facebook or Instagram.

How social selling impacts consumer behavior

60% of Gen Z prefers discovering products via social media rather than traditional ads.

74% of consumers rely on social networks to guide their purchase decisions.

Live shopping events boost engagement rates by 30% on average.

User-generated content (UGC) increases purchase likelihood by 79%.

Brands that engage with customers on social media experience higher loyalty and repeat purchases.

Social selling ROI: Is it worth it?

Unlike popular opinion, social selling leaders create 45% more sales opportunities than those who ignore it.

78% of salespeople who use social media outperform those who don’t.

B2B businesses generate 2x higher revenue from social selling compared to cold outreach.

Brands with active social media customer support retain 89% of customers.

The rise of influencer marketing & live shopping

Did you buy anything after being influenced by your favourite social media influencer? Data suggest you most probably did!

Influencer marketing statistics:

• 60% of consumers trust influencer recommendations more than brand advertisements.
• Brands earn an average of $5.78 for every $1 spent on influencer marketing.
• Micro-influencers (10k-50k followers) generate higher engagement rates than celebrities.

Live shopping statistics:

• Live shopping events on social media generate 10x more engagement than traditional eCommerce.
• Instagram Live Shopping boosts conversion rates by 20-30%.
• Facebook Live sales can drive up to 6x more interactions than standard posts.

Best practices for boosting social media sales

1. Use shoppable posts & product tags. They increase conversions by 40%.
2. Leverage influencer marketing. It builds trust and drives higher engagement.
3. Go live with product demos. Live shopping boosts engagement by 30% on average.
4. Optimize for mobile. Over 75% of social commerce transactions happen on mobile devices.
5. Respond to customers quickly. Fast replies boost purchase likelihood by 53%.

Conclusion

Social media is transforming how people shop, making social selling a must-have strategy for businesses. With over 4.9 billion users, brands are using platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to engage customers, increase conversions, and drive revenue.

From shoppable posts to live commerce and influencer marketing, the future of social selling is bright. Whether you're a small business or an established brand, leveraging social media for sales is no longer optional—it’s essential.

FAQs

What is social media selling?

Social media selling refers to using platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to promote and sell products directly to consumers.

Which social media platform is best for selling products?

It depends on your audience! Instagram and TikTok are great for visual content and younger shoppers, while Facebook and Pinterest cater to a wider demographic.

How effective is social selling?

Very effective! 78% of salespeople using social media outsell those who don’t, and brands generate higher engagement and conversions through shoppable posts and live commerce.

How do I start selling on social media?

Here are the steps to start selling:

• Set up a business profile on your chosen platform.
• Use shoppable posts and product tags for direct purchases.
• Leverage influencer marketing and live shopping for engagement.
• Run targeted social media ads to drive traffic and sales.

Can social media selling replace traditional eCommerce?

Not entirely, but it complements eCommerce by offering a seamless, engaging, and mobile-friendly shopping experience.

Sources

1. Statista. Social Commerce Market Growth Report
2. HubSpot. The State of Social Selling
3. Hootsuite. Social Selling Trends and ROI
4. Forbes. How Social Media is Changing the Way We Shop
5. Sprout Social. Social Media Engagement Insights