--- title: 4 Ways to Recruit Young People for Market Research Using Social Media description: Discover 4 practical ways to recruit young people via social media for qualitative market research, plus platform tips and messaging best practices. image: https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/adult-beautiful-caucasian-914931.jpg --- [![Angelfish Fieldwork](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/2019%20Logo%20PNG.png)](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/) - [About Us](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/) - [What makes us different](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/what-makes-us-different/) - [What we do](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/what-we-do/) - [Meet the team](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/meet-the-team/) - [Our Community](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/) - Sectors - [Media](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/our-community-media-market-research-recruitment/) - [Retail](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/recruiting-retail-market-research/) - [Charity](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/charity-market-research/) - [FMCG](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/market-research-fmcg-sector/) - [Consumer Health](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/consumer-health-market-research/) - [Audiences](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/audience-research/) - [Baby Boomer](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/participant-recruitment-for-over-60s/) - [Generation Alpha](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/market-research-with-children/) - [Generation X](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/gen-x-research/) - [Generation Z](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-gen-z/) - [Millennials](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/recruiting-for-market-research-with-millennials/) - [Angelfish Opinions](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/about-us/angelfish-opinions/) - [Recruitment](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/research-participant-recruitment/) - [Customer Closeness](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/customer-closeness/) - [Accompanied Shopping](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/accompanied-shopping/) - [Customer Workshops](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/customer-workshops/) - [Digital Ethnography](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/ethnography/) - [Intercept Interviews](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/intercept-interviews/) - [Design Sprints](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/design-sprints/) - [Focus Groups](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/focus-groups/) - [Market Research Online Communities](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/market-research-online-communities/) - [User Experience Testing](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/user-experience-testing/) - [User Research](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/recruitment/user-research-recruitment/) - Our Work - [Case Studies](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-case-studies/) - [Clients](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/clients/) - [Data Quality](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-data-quality/) - [Project Showcase](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/showcase/) - [Testimonials](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/testimonials) - Insights - [Blog](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog) - [Useful Resources](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/resources) - [Let’s Talk](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-quote) ![young person using smartphone for market research](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hubfs/adult-beautiful-caucasian-914931.jpg) # Four Ways to Recruit Young People via Social Media in [Generation Z](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/topic/generation-z) by [Kelly Barnard](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/author/kelly-barnard) ## Teenagers and [young people](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/market-research-with-children/) can have a bit of a bad reputation in the research world. Many researchers aren’t quite sure how to reach or engage with them, and with their short attention spans and digital-first behaviour, it’s no wonder that response rates can sometimes be low. However, [Generation Z](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/recruiting-generation-z/), and now [Gen Alpha](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/unlocking-gen-alpha), are the decision-makers and influencers of tomorrow. Reaching them is no longer optional; it’s essential. And thanks to the continued rise of social media, researchers now have powerful new ways to connect with younger audiences. Read on for our top four tips on how to recruit young people via social media for your qualitative market research... **![Gen Z using social media](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Untitled%20design%20(3)-Jul-21-2025-03-13-45-8562-PM.png?width=1200&height=628&name=Untitled%20design%20(3)-Jul-21-2025-03-13-45-8562-PM.png)** ### **1. Use a Targeted Social Media Campaign (for Over 18s)** We’ve been vocal in the past about how effective [targeted social media campaigns](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/how-facebook-can-help-you-recruit-niche-audiences) can be when it comes to participant recruitment for qualitative market research, but it’s important to note that **Meta platforms (Facebook and Instagram)** now restrict detailed targeting for users under the age of 18. That said, if your research involves **young adults aged 18+**, Meta still offers fantastic tools for reaching specific audiences based on location, interests, device usage and more. For example, you can target 18–24-year-olds in Leeds who follow fashion brands, use mobile for shopping, and engage with influencer content. For under-18s, the best approach is to **target the gatekeepers**—such as parents or guardians—or to use **organic reach** and **youth-focused platforms** like TikTok and Snapchat, where recruitment can be more community and content-led. *Need help with under-18 recruitment?* [Check out our six ways to recruit children and young people for market research](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/market-research-fieldwork-blog/6-ways-to-recruit-children-and-young-people-for-market-research) ### 2. Clearly Explain the Benefits of Taking Part Despite the stereotypes, young people *do* care—especially about helping to shape the future. Gen Z in particular are known for wanting to make a difference, collaborate, and understand the “why” behind things. That means your social media ads or recruitment posts should: - Clearly explain what the study is about - Show how their input will help others - Outline what they’ll be doing (and how long it’ll take) Being open and transparent helps build trust. It also increases the chances that they’ll not only sign up—but stay engaged throughout the research process. ### 3. Ensure Your Posts Are Visually Engaging Reaching out to young people requires a tailored, visual approach. This generation grew up with Instagram Reels, Snapchat, YouTube Shorts and now TikTok—and they expect content to be quick, visual and relevant. If you want your recruitment ad to cut through the noise, keep these points in mind: - Make it visually appealing - Include short-form video or moving graphics if possible - Keep the text short and punchy - Use emojis and clear CTAs (calls to action) Remember: you’ve got around [8 seconds](https://www.ucas.com/connect/blogs/how-to-capture-the-eight-second-attention-span-of-gen-z) to grab their attention. Make it count! ### 4. Post Across All Platforms Yes, Facebook is still effective, but it’s not the only option. If you want to truly maximise your reach, make sure you're posting across multiple platforms. Here’s a 2025 update: - **Instagram** – Still huge with 16–24s; Reels are your friend - **TikTok** – The go-to for Gen Z and increasingly popular with Gen Alpha - **Snapchat** – 60%+ of UK teens use it daily for communication and content - **YouTube** – A powerful tool for both organic and paid reach - **BeReal** – Gaining traction among younger users who value authenticity Posting across multiple platforms only takes a few extra minutes, but the potential payoff in engagement and recruitment can be huge. ## In Conclusion From targeted ads to authentic engagement, social media is one of the most powerful recruitment tools at your disposal, especially when it comes to qualitative research with younger audiences. It lets you reach the right people in the right places, in a tone and format they’re familiar with, and when done well, it can drastically improve your recruitment success. If you are thinking about [carrying out research with Gen Z](https://angelfishfieldwork.com/our-community/recruiting-generation-z/) and are unsure where to to start, download our [Top Tips for Gen Z research](https://info.angelfishfieldwork.com/gen-z-research-cheat-sheet). 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