Deeper than logos: a Hunch survey suggests that there are big differences between iOS and Android users.

Have you ever wondered how the differences between Apple iOS and Google Android users might affect your marketing?

In April, Instagram released an Android version of its wildly popular iOS photo-sharing app. Hours later, a Twitter battle erupted, with some iPhone users expressing concerns about an Android user presence on the service. The uproar was substantial enough to inspire such emotive blog titles as “iPhone crybabies need to shut up about Instagram on Android.”

While the argument between Instagram users was indeed childish, inquiring marketing minds could benefit from knowing what real differences lie between the two groups. For insight, we turn to a survey published by Hunch in August 2011. Here are a few highlights that may spark some ideas for your mobile marketing plan:

Income

• Android: 24% more likely to have an annual household income between $50k and $100k
• iOS: 67% more likely to have an annual household income of $200k or more

This isn’t surprising considering the higher cost barrier for iPhones compared to Android devices. If you wish to reach an affluent audience, try sending more mobile display ad impressions to iPhones.

Location

• Android: 17% more likely to live in the suburbs, 86% more likely to live in the country
• iOS: 27% more likely to live in a city

While there are plenty of ways to market to mobile users in a specific location, these findings may have an impact on other parts of your strategy. For example, if you plan to build an app and are deciding which platform to prioritize, your customers’ respective locations may be an important consideration.

Travel

• Android: 71% more likely to have never traveled outside of the country
• iOS:  50% more likely to have visited more than five countries

This doesn’t just apply to international travel agents or booking sites. Do you operate an amusement park or lodge aimed at customers who prefer to vacation close to home? This finding would suggest maintaining a strong Android presence.

Device Usage

• Android: 35% more likely to pass the time in a long line by texting
• iOS: 54% more likely to pass the time in a long line by checking email

In a perfect world, you could try every mobile marketing initiative under the sun. However, resources are always constrained – if most people in your target audience are using iPhones, you might prioritize optimizing your emails for mobile over running a SMS campaign.

Computer OS

• Android: More than 100% more likely to be PC users
• iOS: More than 100% more likely to be Mac users

This finding is quite relevant for software developers, but if you’re looking for more insight around the differences between Mac and PC users, there’s an infographic for that too (also from Hunch).

Can you think of a way that Hunch’s findings might affect your mobile marketing plan? While you wouldn’t want to base any decisions solely on the results of a survey, hopefully this information will provide you with some fresh ideas that you can test.

About the Author: Cory Gaddis is a regular contributor to the 60 Second Marketer and helps Mobilize Worldwide create mobile marketing campaigns for a wide variety of clients.

Wednesday, June 13th, 2012, 2:00 am   |   Mobile Marketing  |  RSS feed |  Respond  |  Trackback