What’s Hot in Digital for 2025?

We Unpack DataReportal’s Global Overview Report

As a small business looking to make a splash in 2025, staying ahead of the digital game is key. That’s why we’re unpacking the Digital 2025 Global Overview Report, a ripper resource packed with insights to help you thrive. Authored by Simon Kemp, Dave Daigle, and Crystal Duncan from DataReportal, in partnership with We Are Social and Meltwater, this report is a goldmine of over 630 pages of data, charts, and trends on internet, social media, mobile, and e-commerce. Using stats from top sources like GWI, GSMA Intelligence, Ookla, and Statista, it’s a fair dinkum guide for navigating the digital landscape. Let’s take a squiz at the key findings, what they mean for Aussie businesses, and how EmuHunt can help you make the most of them!

Key Findings from the Report

1. Global Population and Connectivity
   • The world’s population hit 8.2 billion in 2025, with 58.1% (4.8 billion) in cities and 3.4 billion in rural areas.
   • Internet users reached 5.56 billion, or 67.9% of the globe, growing by 144 million (2.6%) since April 2024. That’s a bloody big number!
   • Mobiles rule the roost, with 5.78 billion unique subscribers (70.5% of the population), up 112 million (2.0%). Mobiles drive 96.3% of internet access, with users chewing through 21.6 GB of data monthly.
   • Social media accounts hit 5.24 billion (63.9% of the population), with 241 million new accounts (4.7% growth). A whopping 94.2% of internet users are on social media each month.
2. Internet Usage and Behaviours
   • Folks spend 6 hours and 38 minutes online daily, with mobiles accounting for 63% of web traffic. Aussies use the net to find info, from news to shopping research.
   • Search is changing fast—Google’s still king, but 40% of Gen Z use TikTok or Instagram for searches, shaking things up.
   • Privacy’s a big worry, with users knocking back cookies and getting suss about how companies use their data, which impacts tailored marketing.
3. Social Media Trends
   • YouTube’s the top dog, with an ad reach of 2.53 billion (30% of the world), followed by Facebook (2.28 billion). Instagram (1.67 billion) just pips TikTok (1.59 billion) for grown-up audiences.
   • Social media eats up 2 hours and 21 minutes daily, with short-form vids stealing the show. YouTube’s a massive time-sink, thanks to 45% of users watching on connected TVs monthly.
   • Social platforms are ace for brand discovery, but 53% of marketers struggle with managing strategies across different regions.
4. E-commerce and Digital Payments
   • Global e-commerce for consumer goods hit US$4.12 trillion in 2024, up 14.6% from 2023, with shoppers spending US$1,600 on average. Fashion, tech, and groceries lead the pack.
   • Mobile shopping’s booming, backed by 94.6% broadband mobile connections, though affordability’s a hurdle in places like Sub-Saharan Africa.
   • Social commerce is taking off, with Instagram and TikTok’s shoppable posts set to push the market to $1 trillion by 2028.
5. Emerging Tech
   • AI platforms are picking up steam, changing how we search and create content.
   • Connected TVs, streaming, and mobile apps are reshaping media, with YouTube nabbing 12% of U.S. TV time in March 2025.
   • Computers still matter for work and tricky tasks, so businesses need strategies that work across devices.

Regional and Demographic Insights

• Connectivity Gaps: India (652 million offline), Nigeria (128 million), and Ethiopia (105 million) face barriers like cost and literacy, slowing digital growth.
• Internet Speeds: The UAE smashes mobile speeds at 441 Mbps, while Singapore leads fixed connections at 324 Mbps. Australia’s speeds are solid but trail behind champs like Bulgaria (172 Mbps mobile).
• Demographic Shifts: Older Aussies (“silver surfers”) are jumping online, shopping, streaming, and banking, opening new doors for marketers.

What This Means for Aussie Businesses

The Digital 2025 Global Overview Report shows we’re living in a mobile-first, social-driven world where personalisation, speed, and trust are everything. For small businesses in Australia, this means:

• Go Mobile or Go Home: With 96.3% of internet access via mobiles, your website better be quick and responsive.
• Get Social: Short-form vids and shoppable posts on TikTok and Instagram are must-haves for reaching Gen Z and driving sales.
• Mind the Privacy Game: AI tools can sharpen your targeting, but you’ve gotta be upfront about data use to keep customers happy.
• Reach Everyone: From silver surfers to new markets, inclusive strategies can unlock fresh opportunities.

How EmuHunt’s Got Your Back

Here at EmuHunt, we’re all about helping Melbourne’s small businesses shine online, and this report’s insights fit like a glove with what we do. Our team’s knack for technical know-how, staying on top of new tech, and putting your customers first means we deliver results you can see. Here’s how we line up with the trends:

• SEO and Technical Wizardry: We use tools like Semrush and Google Search Console to make your site mobile-friendly and rank high in local searches, keeping up with Australia’s fast internet speeds and Google’s E-E-A-T rules. It’s just like giving your site a turbo boost!
• Social Media and Content Magic: We whip up short-form vids for Instagram and TikTok to tap into those 2 hours and 21 minutes of daily social time, helping local shops get noticed. Our E-E-A-T-friendly blogs build trust, much like the success stories on Clutch.co.
• PPC and Social Shopping: Our Google Ads campaigns deliver quick wins, like Practical Outcomes’ 39.1% traffic jump (Bobo Digital, 2024). Shoppable social posts align with the $1 trillion social commerce boom, driving sales for online stores.
• AI-Powered Smarts: We use AI for keyword research and analytics to keep you ahead of AI Overviews and search shifts, like how Klim Swim tripled revenue with Zib Digital’s help (2020).

Tips for Small Businesses

• Nail Local SEO: Spruce up your Google Business Profile to grab the 46% of searches looking for local businesses, like Pokébox’s 335% revenue surge (First Page, 2021).
• Jump on Short-Form Vids: Create Reels or TikToks to boost engagement by up to 60%, as seen with NinjaPromo.io (DesignRush).
• Be Clear on Privacy: Use honest cookie policies to build trust, tackling the concerns raised in the report.
• Play with AI: Try AI tools for content, like EmuHunt does with Semrush’s ContentShake, to stay sharp on algorithm changes.

A Ripper Guide

The Digital 2025 Global Overview Report by Simon Kemp, Dave Daigle, and Crystal Duncan is a ripper guide to a world where 5.56 billion people are online, spending $4.12 trillion on e-commerce. With mobile, social, and AI leading the charge, it’s a cracking time for Aussie businesses to get stuck in. EmuHunt’s tailored SEO, social, and PPC strategies, backed by local know-how, make us the perfect mate for small businesses chasing growth.