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Mobile App Statistics
Taylor Tunnison • April 29, 2022

The smartphone industry is booming, and various mobile app statistics reflect this fact. These recent innovations benefit users and companies alike by promoting commerce, education, and communication. A business mobile app, in particular, can seamlessly bridge the gap between seller and seeker. It can easily increase sales, improve marketing campaigns, and encourage long-term customer loyalty. Let’s take a deep dive into some key mobile app statistics and why they matter for modern companies.

Smartphone Use and Mobile App Data

There are billions of smartphone users in the world today. In fact, there were over 6 billion smartphone users in 2021, and this figure may reach over 7.5 billion by 2026. China, India, and the United States have the most users, and Apple and Samsung devices account for about half of all smartphones worldwide. The simple truth is that most people around the world own and use a smartphone.


So, what exactly is everyone doing on their phones? Just about anything you can imagine, from texting and chatting to browsing online stores and scrolling through social media sites. One thing is for certain: smartphone users spend most of their time on mobile apps. Researchers estimate that the average American adult spends about 4.2 hours a day on mobile internet. 3.75 hours, nearly 90% of it, are spent on mobile apps, and the other 10% is spent on browsers.


Various mobile app downloads continue to increase year-over-year (YoY). In 2016, users downloaded just over 140 billion mobile apps, but in 2021, that figure grew to 230 billion. Data.ai published and elaborated on their State of Mobile 2022 report, which explains that many app categories are seeing tremendous growth. For example, livestreaming apps saw a 40% growth YoY, finance apps grew by 28%, and dating app usage has almost doubled in recent years.


Mobile devices and apps are convenient for users, almost to the point of dependence. Those in younger demographics almost always own smartphones, and nowadays most web traffic comes from mobile sources. This is partly why Google recently shifted to mobile-first indexing for its world-leading search engine. Companies mustn’t neglect mobile users if they wish to remain competitive throughout the 21st century.

Mobile Marketing Matters

These smartphone and mobile app statistics paint a clear picture. More people own mobile devices than ever before, and they’re using them to spend hours online every single day. What’s more, most users also prefer to spend time on mobile apps.


What does this mean for businesses? Well, mobile apps generate a lot of revenue. They’re a multi-billion-dollar industry and are expected to generate over $600 billion by 2025. This is why business mobile app use nearly doubled in 2016. Consumers now expect companies to provide mobile options to improve their overall experience. Almost half (42%) of U.S. small businesses already had a mobile app in 2018, which means your competition has definitely considered launching one.


The bottom line is mobile apps can significantly increase sales because there’s almost no limit to what companies can do with them. They promote continuous and automated communication through online stores, valuable resources, push notifications, and email integration. Mobile apps also boost brand loyalty by offering exclusive rewards and social media features. They further improve customer relationships through recommendations, personalization, and opportunities for feedback. As consumers use an app, they also provide invaluable user statistics including demographic and behavioral data. Such data allows companies greater insight into their audiences, encouraging them to create better products, design more targeted marketing campaigns, and prioritize user experience above all else.


Smartphones, mobile apps, and the internet are transforming the way business is conducted in the 21st century. Companies that wish to become industry leaders must take careful note of these staggering mobile trends. Through the use of professional mobile apps, businesses can effectively increase sales, improve customer relationships, and outpace their competitors with ease. If you’re interested in the benefits of a business mobile app, then we encourage you to contact us today.

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