Puerto Rico, similar to the other regions of the United States, is significantly engaged with social media platforms. It serves as a news outlet, a platform for political mobilization, and a vital connection tool for families split between the states and the Island.
Social media presence in Puerto Rico
According to Statcounter’s statistics regarding social media engagement in Puerto Rico over the last year, Facebook usage far surpasses that of other platforms. While Facebook is especially favored by older Puerto Ricans, it remains the most widely used platform across all age groups.
Pinterest and Instagram follow closely behind, vying for the second position with their highly visual content.
Twitter, rebranded as X, holds the third spot, experiencing a spike in activity near election time. Tumbler and Reddit rank at the lower end, with YouTube unexpectedly performing poorly alongside them.
Although StatCounter does not track TikTok, Similarweb estimates it closely follows Instagram in usage. Meanwhile, Statista provides differing rankings of these platforms; these inconsistencies among usually trustworthy sources indicate that data collection may be lacking in precision. Nevertheless, estimates suggest that around 70% of residents in the Island engage with social media.
Common hashtags include #Boricua, #puertorico #pr, and #isladelencanto. These tags are typically used for posts concerning travel, natural wonders, local happenings, gastronomy, and artistic expression.
Politics is another prevalent topic on Puerto Rican social media. However, hashtag usage is often inconsistent and not universally adopted. Even in 2019, during the protests against Governor Rossello characterized by #RickyRenuncia and #RickySeQueda, studies revealed that only about half of the activity stemmed from accounts based in Puerto Rico.
Social media discussion surrounding Puerto Rico
With a greater number of individuals of Puerto Rican descent residing in the states than on the Island, and as the political situation of Puerto Rico draws increasing attention from the broader American populace, it is significant to note that discussions regarding Puerto Rico extend beyond its social media landscape. Conversations about Puerto Rico are happening nationwide and internationally across various platforms, albeit with distinct areas of focus.
On Facebook, the emphasis is on travel, real estate, and local news. While some political organizations and news outlets about Puerto Rico exist on Facebook (including the Report), the majority of content shifts towards lifestyle topics.
Instagram displays a blend of natural landscapes and political commentary. Search results vary significantly from one state to another; some states prioritize commercial content, others focus on sports, while some showcase swimsuits or cityscapes. Puerto Rico often presents itself as a bilingual and diverse entity.
X usually emphasizes political content. This platform also often incorporates bilingual communication.
Bluesky features a combination of personal updates and political discourse.
YouTube predominantly showcases political content as well.
Social media persist in playing a crucial role in public dialogue, both in Puerto Rico and across the United States.
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