1) WhatsApp is the most widely used and popular social media platform in Qatar, with 96% awareness and 87% usage overall. 2) Facebook is less popular among Qataris, with just 44% usage despite high 90% awareness, while 84% of non-Qataris use it. 3) Younger users tend to use newer platforms like Snapchat and Instagram more, while mobility and mobile-friendliness are key drivers of platform usage in Qatar.

1. How Qatar uses WhatsApp,
Snapchat and other social networks
Rassed Research Briefing: 1st December 2014

2. About Rassed
The Ministry of Information and Communications
Technology (ictQATAR) established “Rassed” to:
1. Study the impact of the Internet and
Information Communication Technologies (ICT)
on society; and
2. Explore the potential of emerging digital
technologies.
Find out more about our work at: www.ictqatar.qa/en/rassed

3. Examples of our research output
• Monthly themed Tech “Top Tens”
• Quarterly Market Intelligence reports: “Digital Digest”
• Study into Online Attitudes and Behaviors in MENA
260,000+ views since June 2012
• Our channel is in the Top 1% most viewed globally on LinkedIn’s SlideShare
http://www.slideshare.net/ictQATAR/

4. Understanding emerging
social media platforms
• Lots of take-up data for
mainstream older networks
- less so for emerging
channels
• Behaviors and attitudes seldom
probed
• Insights to support stakeholders

5. Methodology
• Commissioned: Ipsos Qatar to conduct fieldwork
• Population studied: Online users in Qatar
• Sample: 1,000 adults. 500 Qataris. 500 non-Qataris
• Data Collection: CATI (Computer Assisted Telephonic Interviews)
• Interview Length: 15 minutes
• Fieldwork: September 1st - October 16th 2014

6. 5 KEY INSIGHTS

7. 1. WhatsApp leads the way
• Most used social media service.
• 96% Awareness. 87% Usage.
• Rises to 98% + 97% for Qataris.

8. 2. Facebook unpopular with Qataris
• Just 44% of Qataris use it vs. 90% awareness level.
• Compared to 84% of non-Qataris. (94% awareness).
• No 2 channel for non-Qataris vs. No 5 for Qataris.

9. 3. Mobility is key
• Mobile friendliness is a key driver of usage:
– 50% of all social media users
– 70% of Qataris
– Rising to 77% of Qatari women
• 20% of our total sample
would leave a platform
“if it is not mobile friendly”

10. 4. Privacy not a big issue
Much less pronounced than we
anticipated:
• 31% of users stated “it has enough
privacy concerns” was a
consideration before using a new
network.
• “Growing privacy concerns” was
identified by only 23% as a reason
for leaving a service.

11. 5. Users identify societal impacts
• 85% felt that social media is “helping to spread
rumors and false information.”
• Over three-quarters feel social media “takes away
from quality time with the family.”
• 65% expressed the view
social media is “leading to
a wider generation gap.”

12. SOCIAL MEDIA USE:
- AGE, GENDER AND NATIONALITY

13. Age + types of usage
• Younger users use newer platforms more.
• But BBM sees stark difference (44% vs. 19.5%).
• A third of 15-29 year-olds will use any given social
media platform for more than 3 hours a day.
• Compare to 17% of 30-40 year-olds and 9% of 40+

14. Age + language
• Younger users use English on social media equally to
other age groups.
• But less likely to use Arabic (34% vs. 51% for 30+ YO).

15. Age + triggers to leave

16. Gender similarities
• Share photos equally on WhatsApp & Facebook.
• Both genders agree that the biggest negative of
social media is that it is “helping to spread rumors
and false information.”

17. Gender differences
• Females tend to use newer platforms more than men.
• And they use older platforms less.
• Females more like to use social media for e-Commerce.
Qatari-women particularly leading in this realm.

18. Social media for shopping
• Most e-Commerce happens on Instagram and is lead
by Qataris and Qatari women.
21% 21%
6%
32%
34%
20%
15-29 YO 30-39 YO 40+ YO
Males Females

19. Usage by Nationality
97%
44%
46%
Qataris Arab Expats Non-Arab Expats
48%
39%
65%
7%
17%
92%
78%
38%
26%
13%
34%
1%
11%
82%
89%
30%
27%
10%
33%
10%
0%
WhatsApp Facebook Twitter BBM SnapChat Instagram Path Forums

20. Sharing photos on selected networks
51%
12%
8%
37%
50%
6%
17%
31%
33%
46%
1%
4%
38%
49%
5%
23%
WhatsApp Facebook SnapChat Instagram
Male - Qatari Female - Qatari Males - Non Qatari Females - Non Qatari

21. Social media as source of news
34%
12%
25%
10%
21%
52%
12%
5%
WhatsApp Facebook Twitter Instagram
Qataris Non-Qataris

22. ARE YOU ON THE
RIGHT PLATFORM?
POPULAR USES OF SOCIAL
CHANNELS IN QATAR

23. What’s hot. What’s not?

24. WhatsApp
• Everyone is here, and usage is growing.
• High usage of fake names.
• Top activities:
Sending messages
Sharing photos
Finding friends & family you have lost touch with
Posting status updates

25. BBM
• 49% are members of groups on BBM and WhatsApp.
• Most groups are family & friends related (88%).
• Followed by work, religious and hobby groups.

26. Instagram
• Very popular in Qatar – among Qataris especially.
• Usage is growing, especially with females and 15-29.
• Top Activities
Sharing photos
Sharing videos
Meeting new people
Posting status updates

27. Snapchat
• Usage lead by Qataris and youth.
• Both genders tends to use it equally.
• 31% of youth will use it for more than 3 hours a day.
• Top Activities:
Sharing photos
Sharing videos
Sending messages

28. Facebook
• Home of the non-Qataris.
• People very likely to use fake names.
• Top activities:
Finding friends & family you have lost touch with
Finding latest news
Sending messages
Sharing photos

29. Twitter
• No 2 source of news for non-Qataris.
• People more likely to use real name (only 1/5 use a fake).
• Top activities:
Finding out latest news
Follow discussions about current topics
Post status updates
Share views and opinions

30. What does this
mean for you?

31. 5 takeaways
1. High level of awareness
2. Awareness does not equal usage
3. Mobile-friendliness is important
4. Qataris most active on new platforms
5. Users tend to be lurkers…

32. Thanks for reading
Visit our SlideShare channel for the Digital
Digests and our monthly Tech Top 10:
http://www.slideshare.net/ictQATAR/
Contact Us: rassed@ict.gov.qa
Twitter: @ictqatar