KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 8): Social media have become the preferred method for marketers to reach customers during the past decade.

According to the UK Gambling Commission-regulated SafebettingSites.com, the trend is not likely to change in the coming years.

It said companies will spend 19% more money per internet user on mobile social media in 2022.

It said that on average, companies will pay US$36.37 (RM163.66) per internet user to advertise on mobile social media in 2022.

Citing data available on Statista.com, SafebettingSites.com said companies are expected to spend US$226.01 billion on social media ads in 2022.

It said of this figure, 82% will be paid by companies on mobile social media, whereas the remaining 18% will account for desktop social media advertising.

Hence, the portal said most of the ad spending on social media is targeted towards the mobile platform.

It said the global average ad spending per user on mobile social media has become more than threefold during the 2017-2021 period.

It said that in 2017, the average ad spending per user was US$10.11 for mobile, adding that by 2021, this figure had increased to US$30.57, indicating a 202% increase in the space of four years.

Meanwhile, the spending on desktop advertising barely moved from US$4.24 to US$7.24 simultaneously.

Advertising spending on mobile social media has consistently increased since 2017, and mainly shot up during the pandemic years.

The rate of increase in ad spend per user is expected to slow down in the coming years, but nevertheless, ad spending will continue to grow at a substantiate rate.

During the ongoing year, the average ad spending per user is expected to increase by 19% to US$36.37.

In 2023, the rate is expected to increase further by 14.3% to US$41.56.

By 2027, companies will spend US$52.98 per user on mobile social media.

In comparison, the spending on desktop advertising will be modest in the future.

The average ad spending per user on desktop social media is expected to be US$10.64 in 2027.

SafebettingSites.com said the US market attracts the most money in mobile social media advertising.

It said marketers are expected to spend up to US$226 per US customer on mobile social media in 2022.

In comparison, marketers are expected to spend only US$125.70 per internet user in the UK, and US$64.41 per user in China.