¿Tenís Face? 

That’s a question you hear all the time here in Chile. It sounds like «Do you have a face?» But really what the person wants to know is if you have a Facebook account — to add you right this second, right there on their smartphone. 

The other line you’re likely to here: 

Wazapéame! Wzpme. 

In Chile, Whatsapp is a verb. One you’ll hear all the time. 

Just how many people in Chile are using Facebook and Whatsapp? 

(Anecdotally, everyone we know!) 

46% of women in Santiago consider Facebook their favorite mobile app. 

50% of female smartphone users in Santiago use Whatsapp or Line.

(In our experience, these users often have both applications installed and use Whatsapp for messaging and Line for calls. Avoiding having to pay to text and call brings great joy.)  

Among the most popular apps for these users: 82% are related to social networks and communications, 70% are games, and 66% are music apps. 

The survey, by Motorola and Adimark GFK, took place in November 2013, and reached 120 middle-class female smartphone users aged 25-50 in Santiago, Chile. 

Source of those stats: Diario Financiero




This map, from Las Últimas Noticias, shows the number of Facebook users in each region of Chile — almost 11 million profiles in all, an enormous number in a country whose population is approximately 17 million.

With millions of users, Facebook is by far the most popular social network in Chile, far ahead of Twitter, LinkedIn or Tumblr. However, beyond these numbers, little is known about Chileans’ behavior on the site. Which cities have the most users? How many men and women? Dog-lovers or cat-lovers? Fans of Colo Colo or La U? (That last question refers to two of Chile’s favorite football teams.) Though there aren’t any official numbers, tracing a map or census of Facebook usage in Chile is possible. Everyone who creates an account fills out forms full of data and interests, and adds up their likes on various fanpages. The summary of all this information is public, and visible when one signs up to advertise on the platform. Source: LUN

The War of the Sexes (How many men and women are using Facebook in Chile?)

Source: Las Últimas Noticias 

What’s the best way to connect with Chile’s enthusiastic Facebook and Whatsapp users? Come to the Chile Digital Latin American Congress — June 24-25 2015 at Espacio Riesco, Santiago de Chile. 

1. Chile is considered LatAm’s strongest economy in 2014.

 Source: PULSO

2. Latin America’s online penetration is growing fast.

Latin America was the fastest-growing region in terms of online audience growth from March 2012 – March 2013. Latin America’s online audience is very intensive in its internet use, as measured in both hours and diversity of contents consumed, as compared with the global audience. 5 Latin American countries are within the global top 10 in terms of hours spent navigating the web.  Source: 

Comscore

3. Chile has more mobile and Android users than other LatAm markets. 

Chile inspires trust among global businesses, thanks to its economic and political stability, strong Internet penetration, and solid government support.

Eduardo Pooley, Google Chile’s General Manager, told the Diario Financiero that Chile’s strong interest in new technology adoption, especially the “great penetration of the Internet,” inspires many companies to offer their services here.

For James Meek, president of Scotiabank, another selling point for Chile is the “warm reception” and support from the local government. Source: Diario Financiero

The best place to access Chile’s growing tech industry is at the Chile Digital Latin American Congress 2015, as sponsor, exhibitor or attendee.