Articles & Features
How Social Media Influences College Football Betting Trends
Photo: Nov 13, 2021; Pasadena, California, USA; UCLA Bruins quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson (1) hands the ball off to running back Zach Charbonnet (24) the first half against the Colorado Buffaloes at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

How Social Media Influences College Football Betting Trends

Social media now plays a large part in how fans experience college football. Take, for instance, platforms like Twitter and Instagram, which continuously provide updates and encourage discussions among football fans.

Suppose you are active on social media and follow profiles that feature college football and betting themes. In that case, you will constantly have access to player interviews, game-day highlights, betting predictions, and much, much more.

Beyond boosting the engagement of the sport’s fans, social media also influences college football betting trends. Fans on these platforms use them to get information on their next bets. Social media is now filled with an unfiltered, incredible amount of information and unfortunately, a lot of misinformation, as well.

If you are a fan of college football or the sport in general, there are many places where you can get betting data such as websites and social media platforms. But, before you place your wagers, you should always make sure that you’re using the right betting and gambling sites like the ones featured on Gamblizard. Whether you are up to playing some football-themed casino games or placing a bet at an online sportsbook, finding the right site to do this should be your priority.

Now without any further ado, let’s see how social media influences college football betting trends.

The Popularity of Betting on College Football

College football betting is one of the fast-growing markets in the betting industry, especially online. College football is second only to the NFL in popularity in the United States, so betting is a major trend for this sport.

A few years back, in 2022, the number of people who bet on sports online in the United States alone was forecast to grow from 25 million to 37 million by 2025. This is an increase of nearly 50%, which is very impressive. The market size of the online gambling industry overall is expected to rise to over $184 billion by 2032, which says quite a lot about the popularity of the market. That being said, it is no wonder that social media is filled with content about betting, football, and more specifically – college football.

The rise of mobile betting apps and sportsbooks has made it very simple for bettors to place their wagers. Social media only strengthens this accessibility and gives fans more access to football-related information. Many people today use social media, among other sources, to inform their betting decisions. They check posts about injury updates, player performances, and most of all, expert predictions.

Social Media’s Impact on Betting Trends

There are several ways in which social media influences college football betting these days. These include:

  • Influence of social media personalities. Influencers with large followings often use social media to share their predictions and betting picks. They are masters at swaying public opinion. While you should think twice before trusting them blindly, some analysts are pretty great at making good recommendations.
  •  Viral trends and hashtags. Viral social media trends like memes about an underdog team, for instance, can influence betting patterns and completely change the public’s perceptions. Many bettors are drawn to such trends, even in cases where they aren’t really based on data or careful predictions.
  • Community discussions. Social media platforms are excellent places for bettors to share insights, tips, and strategies about betting. These can often spread misinformation, but they can also provide valuable information if you know what you’re looking for.
  • Real-time information. Platforms like Twitter will provide you with instant updates on weather conditions, injuries, game-day rosters, and more. Even when official sites haven’t made these updates, you can use social media to see the match live in a stream from a fan or an expert bettor. As a bettor, this is a great opportunity to make a last-minute adjustment to your existing bets. For instance, if an unexpected injury occurs and you hear about it via social media at the same time it happens, you can change your bet before others learn of the new event.

Case Studies and Real-World Examples

According to one case study, there’s a high volume of gambling ads on social media - 237 per day on average. These ads have generated over 29 million views in a single week, which shows how big of an influence social media has on sports betting. 

Platforms like TikTok are tipsters’ paradise these days. As of 2019, the NFL signed a multi-year partnership with the platform, making this the best-served league in the app. The #bettingtips hashtag on the platform, for instance, has had 96.8 thousand posts so far. 

Tips for Using Social Media Responsibly in Betting

While social media can be a very good tool for you as a bettor, it’s important to use caution when you use it. For starters, you should always remember that not all information on social media is accurate. Try to find reputable analysts and follow verified accounts for more credible insights.

Secondly, try and avoid making emotional decisions. Viral posts and all those highlight reels can truly cloud your judgment. Don’t be swayed by hype – analyze the trends critically and use social media as a supplement, not your main source of information.

Wrapping Up

Social media has fully changed how fans bet on college football. It is not only about entertainment – social media is now a great place to find data, predictions, real-time updates, and interesting facts about your favorite college teams.