The year 2021 was marked by the ongoing effects of the pandemic, with new routines and habits shaped by pandemic-induced changes becoming part of daily life. Across almost every segment of society, the time spent in the digital world increased significantly. Many brands and businesses made remote working a permanent practice, testing the capabilities of the digital realm under new working conditions. In short, rapidly advancing technology and digital platforms took on a new dimension in our lives during the pandemic. But how exactly did this happen?

According to the We Are Social October 2021 Report, the number of digital users worldwide reached 4.68 billion. This figure represents 68% of the global population, a statistic that alone provides a clear picture of the scale of digital transformation. Social media users are increasing by approximately 1 million every day. As of October 2021, the average time spent on the internet increased by 3 minutes compared to the previous year. With the continuously growing global population and the rise of generations born in the digital age, these figures are expected to keep climbing.

How Are Users Spending Their Time in the Digital World?

What Happened in the Digital World in 2021?

Digital Users in Numbers

According to the We Are Social October 2021 Report, the global number of digital users reached 4.68 billion, accounting for 68% of the world’s population. This highlights the massive scope of digital transformation. Social media users are increasing by approximately 1 million daily, and the average daily time spent on the internet increased by 3 minutes in 2021. With the continuous growth of the global population and generations born into the digital age, these figures are expected to rise even further.

How Do Users Spend Time Online?

1. Search for Information
   Users primarily use the internet for information. Google plays a pivotal role as an information hub, providing answers and solutions that shape the online experience. Content creation remains a key aspect of how users interact with and consume digital spaces.
2. Social Connection
   The second most common use of the internet is to connect with family and friends. While it’s no secret that the internet has transformed social life over the years, in 2021, it became evident that the digital world now dictates much of our social interactions.
3. Staying Updated
   Keeping up with the latest news is another significant purpose for internet usage. The speed of news dissemination through social media, live streaming, blogs, and news sites has grown exponentially. Social media features, like live broadcasts, have amplified users’ access to timely updates.

Other prominent uses include learning through “how-to” content, generating ideas, and pursuing education. These trends underscore the internet’s role as an indispensable extension of our lives.

What Did Users Search for in 2021?

Trending Searches Worldwide

• News:
  • Afghanistan
  • AMC Stock
  • COVID Vaccine
• Movies:
  • Eternals
  • Black Widow
  • Dune
• TV Shows:
  • Squid Game
  • Bridgerton
  • WandaVision
• People:
  • Alec Baldwin
  • Kyle Rittenhouse
  • Christian Eriksen

Trending Searches in Turkey

• General Searches:
  • EBA giriş (Education Access Platform)
  • Squid Game
  • AÖL (Open High School)
  • Mesut Özil
  • Elmalı Davası (Elmalı Case)
• People:
  • Mesut Özil
  • Ebrar Karakurt
  • Mahmut Özer
  • Burak Elmas
  • İrfan Can Kahveci

Informational searches also dominated the trends, including:

• “How to stop a runny nose?”
• “When will schools open?”
• “How to get an HES code?”
• “How to recover from the flu?”
• “How to book a vaccination appointment?”

Amid the pandemic, people also searched for mental well-being tips, such as “How to stay mentally strong?” and “How to cope with stress?”

How Did Digital Companies Fare in 2021?

2021 was a transformative year for major digital companies. While platforms like YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp maintained stable user bases, Spotify and Zoom witnessed significant growth.

Spotify

The increased time spent at home unexpectedly benefited Spotify, a platform focused on audio content. The demand for podcasts surged, with consumption doubling compared to the previous year. Despite a dip in profits, Spotify’s growth remained steady, reaching 150 million premium subscribers and 345 million active users.

Zoom

Zoom became indispensable during the pandemic for online meetings, conferences, and classes. Its market value soared by 250% in 2020. Starting with 10 million users in 2019, it crossed 500 million downloads on the Play Store in 2021, cementing its position as a digital giant.

Key Behavioral Insights from Zoom Users:

• Most users opted for comfortable clothing during virtual meetings.
• Eating during meetings was deemed inappropriate by 50% of respondents.
• Common phrases included: “You’re on mute” and “Can everyone see my screen?”

The Emerging Digital System

2021 marked a year where digital innovations became integral to daily life. Terms like NFT and Metaverse entered mainstream conversations. The digital world is now rapidly constructing its own art, economy, and social networks—a phenomenon that can be summed up as the New Digital System.

NFT (Non-Fungible Token)

NFTs are digital assets representing ownership of unique items, from art to collectibles. They verify authenticity and ownership, much like traditional appraisals for high-value physical goods.

• The digital artist Murat Pak sold an NFT for $1.36 million in 2021.
• While lucrative, NFTs are criticized for their environmental impact due to high energy consumption.

Digital Currencies

Cryptocurrencies continued to rise in popularity. Unlike traditional digital currencies, cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin operate on decentralized blockchain technology, ensuring anonymity and freedom from central oversight.

• Turkey emerged as a significant player in the crypto market in 2021, with surging interest in coins like Gala, AXS, and The Sandbox, while others like NEM and BSV underperformed.

The Metaverse

The Metaverse, combining real and virtual worlds through augmented reality, gained traction. From virtual concerts to immersive gaming, it became a platform for innovative social and economic activities. Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg described it as the “next-generation internet,” hinting at profound transformations across industries.

Conclusion
2021 was a year of rapid digital transformation, redefining how we interact, consume, and create. As digital platforms and technologies evolve, they continue to reshape societal norms, offering new opportunities and challenges in equal measure.