Singapore amongst top markets for photo-sharing apps

63% of connected consumers are using instagram.

The use of social media platforms Instagram and Snapchat continue to grow as the popularity of highly-visual channels rises, according to Connected Life, the latest study of over 70,000 consumers from global research consultancy Kantar TNS.

Developments in mobile technology are a clear driver, with the number of smartphones users across the Asia Pacific region now numbering over a billion and increasingly powerful smartphone cameras giving connected users the opportunity to take and share photos instantly.

Across the region, Snapchat has gained the most traction in Hong Kong, as the number of users has more than doubled from 19% to 46% in the past year. It is closely followed by New Zealand at 37%. Malaysia and Singapore are not far behind, where Snapchat users for both countries are at 37%.

Hong Kong has the second highest penetration figures for Instagram in the region after Malaysia, with 70% of internet users on the platform. Singapore is at third place with 63% users.

"Across Asia Pacific, it is clear that connected consumers are expanding their use of social media beyond Facebook and testing newer, more visual channels," the report said.