Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Is the tide turning for social media platforms in Switzerland?

A close-up image showing the Facebook app on an iPhone
In a ranking of 170 media brands, Facebook had the lowest credibility. Keystone

The Swiss appear to be switching off from social media, according to a survey, which suggests that the image of Facebook and Twitter have taken a hit. 

Some 55% of the Swiss population used social media in 2017, down 4% compared with a year earlier, a media brand study for the consultancy firm PublicomExternal link revealed. 

The report, published on Wednesday, says that social media lost more users last year than print media. They together with online newspapers reached 94% of the Swiss population. 

Scandals involving the misuse of personal data and fake news have left their mark, damaging the image of social media platforms, says the report. 

Facebook and Twitter have lost a great deal of users’ sympathy and trust and their brand images have been “besmirched”, the report adds. In a ranking of 170 media brands, Facebook had the lowest credibility. 

By contrast, regional and paid subscription daily newspapers, public radio and TV are held in high regard by Swiss residents; Swiss media in general are considered highly credible. Swiss media brands were generally ranked higher than international media, with the exception of Youtube. 

The 2018 survey was among 4,828 people aged 15-79, between April and May. 

Coming soon Lost Cells A podcast uncovering the human stories behind private stem cell banking's promises and failures. Get notified

Popular Stories

Most Discussed

News

Grand Prix Art for art casters, artists and architects

More

Winners of top Swiss art award announced

This content was published on Felix Lehner, Pamela Rosenkranz and Miroslav Sik have been awarded the Swiss Grand Award for Art/Prix Meret Oppenheim 2025.

Read more: Winners of top Swiss art award announced
Watch exports down 2.8% in 2024

More

Swiss watch exports down 2.8% in 2024

This content was published on The watch industry had to contend with a weakening of its exports last year, which reached a volume of CHF25.9 billion ($28.5 billion).

Read more: Swiss watch exports down 2.8% in 2024

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!

If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR