Mobile apps are about to generate more revenue than ever before. 

Here’s a huge statistic to contemplate: Six trillion. That’s how many hours mobile customers are set to spend with mobile apps per year by 2028 globally (source: data.ai). 

Bizarrely perhaps, considering a reduction in app use last year. In fact, spending in-apps is going to take a big jump this year and beyond, influenced by a resurgence of entertainment apps. 

Apps by the numbers

Data says in 2023, a handful number of apps (for now) will be the exclusive members of the US$3 billion “app club.” (Source: data. ai). 

HBO Max, iQIYI (a Chinese online video platform), Disney+, TikTok, Netflix, and YouTube will be US$3 billion consumer spend “club members” for video streaming and short video apps. It’s interesting to note that consumers are now turning to video content on their mobiles for their entertainment. 

Mobile shopping also had a new high (on Black Friday last year), accounting for nearly half of all sales of the top-100 online retailers in the United States. 

Shopify reported mobile spend accounted for 73% of global sales for smaller vendors and the so called direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands. 

In 2022, downloads on attraction or tour booking apps grew +180% over the previous year, and ticket service apps saw a near 300% growth in hours spent. This shows undoubtedly that customers are looking increasingly at “experiences” as we move through the current year. 

Lexi Sydow, head of insights at data.ai, said: “Mobile will remain at the heart of consumers’’ lives as demand for digital connection, self-expression, and deepening personalisation of apps will fuel sustained growth.”

More evidence is it not that mobile is the answer? Embrace it if you aven’t already. You will reap the benefits as we will your advertisers.

Footnote: Gambling on gambling companies? 

Maybe this is another potential news media revenue source? 

Online casinos and sports betting Web sites — that didn’t really exist in any serious form as recently as 15 to 20 years ago — today are responsible for generating billions of dollars in revenue each year. 

The whole gambling industry has grown quickly because online gambling is very accessible and quite easy to start. Additionally, it offers a much broader range of games and differing betting options than many physical casinos and the like.

This will continue to increase. In Europe alone, for example, the online gaming industry (including here the UK as the leading market) is expected to grow by 8% year on year and reach over US$42 billion value this year.

As these gambling companies, seemingly awash with money, try to further increase their power and reach, don’t you think your sales terms should be talking to them?

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