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Social comparison on social networking sites
Open accessAbstract
Because of the rise of social networking sites (SNSs), social comparisons take place at an unprecedented rate and scale. There is a growing concern that these online social comparisons negatively impact people's subjective well-being (SWB). In this paper, we review research on (a) the antecedents of social comparisons on SNSs, (b) the consequences of social comparisons on SNSs for SWB and, (c) social comparison as a mechanism explaining (mediator) or affecting (moderator) the relationship between SNSs and SWB. The occurrence of social comparisons on SNSs depends on who uses the SNS and on how the SNS is being used with passive use in particular resulting in increased levels of social comparison. Moreover, social comparison on SNSs may occasionally result in an increase in SWB but typically negative effects are found as people tend to engage in contrasting upward social comparisons. Finally, several studies show that social comparison is a key mechanism explaining the relationship between use of SNSs and SWB and that users with a tendency to engage in social comparison are especially likely to be negatively impacted by SNSs. The dynamic, cyclical processes that result from this pattern of findings are discussed.
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“Recent work suggests that the relationship between SNSs use and wellbeing is highly context-dependent and may vary based on user motivations, content type, and platform engagement styles”
From The associations between social comparison on social media and young adults’ mental health (2025) · cites this paper as Verduyn et al., 2020
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“the information that is shared on social networking sites gives rise to upward social comparisons, which can have negative effects on well-being and mental health (Verduyn et al., 2020; for meta-analyses, see Yang et al., 2019;Yoon et al., 2019).”
From Understanding Autobiographical Memory in the Digital Age: The AMEDIA-Model (2024) · cites this paper as Verduyn et al., 2020
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InfluentialLiu, Y., Zhu, J., & He, J. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1016538 · Cited by 13
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“Therefore, USC on SNSs has high universality and spontaneity (He et al., 2020; Verduyn et al., 2020).”
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Barta, K., Wolberg, K., & Andalibi, N. (2023) · Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction · doi:10.1145/3610086 · Cited by 16
“, intensity, appropriateness) [32]; quotes [90]) in a given context.”
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InfluentialTarabay, R., Gerges, S., Dine, A. S. E., Malaeb, D. N., Obeïd, S., Hallit, S. R., & Soufia, M. (2023) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-023-01168-5 · Cited by 14
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Schwarz, D., Steinau, K., Kraus, L., & In‐Albon, T. (2022) · Kindheit und Entwicklung · doi:10.1026/0942-5403/a000392 · Cited by 13
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Lee, J. A., Cho, Y., Jung, Y.-J., Kim, J. H., & Sung, Y. (2024) · New Media & Society · doi:10.1177/14614448241243098 · Cited by 12
“The overflow of curated images showcasing others’ achievements, possessions, and lifestyles on social media elicits upward comparisons more frequently than downward ones (Verduyn et al., 2020).”
Andersen, A. I. O., Finserås, T. R., Hjetland, G. J., Bøe, T., Sivertsen, B., Colman, I., Hella, R. T., & Skogen, J. C. (2024) · SAGE Open · doi:10.1177/21582440241249538 · Cited by 15
“Examples of this includes upward social comparison (Nesi & Prinstein, 2015; Schmuck et al., 2019; Skogen et al., 2021; Verduyn et al., 2020), feedback-seeking (Nesi & Prinstein, 2015), negative experiences (Primack et al., 2018; Skogen et al., 2023), and digital stress (Nick et al., 2022).”
Rogier, G., Muzi, S., & Pace, C. S. (2024) · Cognition and Emotion · doi:10.1080/02699931.2024.2363413 · Cited by 12
“Then, social media greatly stimulates the comparison with others’ process (Verduyn et al., 2020) and has been identified as a key mechanism underlying identity development (Stets & Burke, 2014).”
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“Studies on social media have found that when people, particularly teenagers, see an idealized version of someone on social media, they may feel worse about themselves as a result of social comparison (Verduyn et al., 2020; Vogel et al., 2015).”
Social comparison feedback in online teacher training and its impact on asynchronous collaboration
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“While social comparison can be beneficial in psychology and health (Appel et al., 2015; Han et al., 2020; Verduyn et al., 2020), it can also induce anxiety, potentially hindering learning (Bai et al., 2021).”
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“Such a dynamic can inadvertently impose undue pressures or cultivate misaligned expectations, thereby recalibrating and potentially destabilizing inherent relationship dynamics (Verduyn et al. 2020; Appel et al. 2016).”
Yang, X., Wang, X., Yu, J., & Gao, J. (2025) · BMC Psychology · doi:10.1186/s40359-025-02557-8 · Cited by 16
“As a result, there is an opportunity to cause an automatic upward comparison when browsing SNSs [15, 23, 27, 30, 31], so as to experience the sense of RD [34].”
InfluentialNoon, E. J., Vranken, I., & Schreurs, L. (2022) · Emerging Adulthood · doi:10.1177/21676968221098293 · Cited by 15
“Young people often view the standards portrayed in idealised Instagram content as unattainable (i.e., upward contrast) (Verduyn et al., 2020), and in instances where emerging adults believe that they are unlike - or unable to be like - superior others on SNSs, upward comparisons can have negative…”
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Gong, Y., Chen, C., Tan, Y., & Tang, D. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1124025 · Cited by 13
“Social media has become an important way for people to interact (Verduyn et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2020; Lau et al., 2022).”
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Hutmacher, F., Appel, M., & Schwan, S. (2024) · Psychological Inquiry · doi:10.1080/1047840x.2024.2384125 · Cited by 12
“…worry that might immediately come to mind is that the information that is shared on social networking sites gives rise to upward social comparisons, which can have negative effects on well-being and mental health (Verduyn et al., 2020; for meta-analyses, see Yang et al., 2019; Yoon et al., 2019).”
Saletti, S. M. R., den Broucke, S. V., Billieux, J., Karila, L., Kuss, D. J., Espejo, J. M. R., Sheldon, P., Lang, C. P., Zimmer‐Gembeck, M. J., Zollo, P., et al. (2023) · Journal of Behavioral Addictions · doi:10.1556/2006.2022.00088 · Cited by 14
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“, 2015); b) We expected that the negative effect of the passive use of Facebook would be stronger for participants with initial sad mood because the effect of social comparison with other users may be different depending on the mood of the individual (Buunk & Gibbons, 2007; Nesi & Prinstein, 2015; Verduyn et al., 2020…”
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Lowthian, E., Fee, G., Wakeham, C., Clegg, Z., Crick, T., & Anthony, R. (2023) · Journal of Adolescence · doi:10.1002/jad.12270 · Cited by 11
“Interestingly, 96% of this group had a social media account (the highest), but did not post content, which could constitute passive social media use, which is suggested to be related to lower well ‐ being (Anthony et al., 2023; Verduyn et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2018).”
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“…2013) that have three common features: they allow users to (a) create a personal pro fi le, (b) articulate a list of online connections and (c) view and navigate their list of connections and those made by others within the system (Aichner et al. 2021; Boyd and Ellison 2007; Verduyn et al. 2020).”
Bazine, N., Serra, J., Giunchi, M., & Peña-Jimenez, M. (2025) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2024.108456 · Cited by 14
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“Studies have indicated this comparison can be problematic (Verduyn et al., 2020), as it may negatively impact employee well-being by fostering envy (Krasnova et al., 2015) and ego depletion (Huang & Fan, 2022), which may, in turn, lead to reduced employee creativity (Stollberger et al., 2024).”
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“Our findings are in conversation with prior work on social comparison facilitated by social media [18, 39, 46, 71, 105, 106].”
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“…behavior, such as participating in some green strategies or practicing a sustainable lifestyle, they appear to believe that it is the right thing to do and tend to participate in those activities that help navigate society more smoothly and be more beneficial to humanity (Verduyn et al., 2020).”
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“…compare/impress presentation is associated with mental health challenges given that upward social comparisons are likely to occur on social media platforms that make it easy to portray an attractive image of one ’ s life (Verduyn et al., 2020), which may heighten the risk of depressive symptoms.”
Niu, X., Gou, L.-X., Han, Y., Zhou, X., & Wang, J. (2024) · British Journal of Developmental Psychology · doi:10.1111/bjdp.12538 · Cited by 10
Lițan, D.-E. (2025) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15040481 · Cited by 10
“Of course, currently, we also find the social comparison theory associated with the digital environment and social networks in the literature (Vogel et al., 2014; Qiu, 2024; Verduyn et al., 2020), represented by the following examples, without limiting the literature to these:”
Mendes, A. L., Coimbra, M., Canavarro, M. C., & Ferreira, C. (2021) · Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia Bulimia and Obesity · doi:10.1007/s40519-021-01233-1 · Cited by 10
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Sequeira, S. L., Rodman, A. M., Nesi, J. L., & Silk, J. S. (2025) · Nature Reviews Psychology · doi:10.1038/s44159-025-00484-4 · Cited by 10
“…themselves in the best (although not entirely accurate) light might increase one’s tendency to evaluate oneself negatively in comparison with others 111 , contributing to threats to social status Editability 106 Ease with which messages and content can be edited Viewing highly edited images can…”
InfluentialAndersen, A. I. O., Skogen, J. C., Hjetland, G. J., Finserås, T. R., Bøe, T., Colman, I., & Sivertsen, B. (2025) · Computers in Human Behavior Reports · doi:10.1016/j.chbr.2025.100881 · Cited by 11
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“However, directional-downward SCO tended to be a less consistent and weaker predictor overall, suggesting that the negative contrastive effects of upward comparisons are stronger than the positive contrastive effects of downward comparisons (Verduyn et al., 2020).”
BackgroundHamid, M. A., & Singh, J. (2023) · Artificial Intelligence Review · doi:10.1007/s10462-023-10606-0 · Cited by 9
Ugwu, L., Idemudia, E., Chukwu, O. O., & Onyedibe, M. (2023) · Depression Research and Treatment · doi:10.1155/2023/8677521 · Cited by 11
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“Or does following health influencers fail to translate into healthier habits, and even possibly contribute to poorer mental health through upwards comparison and unattainable body ideals (Verduyn et al., 2020; Wang et al., 2017)?”
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Pugno, M. (2024) · Kyklos · doi:10.1111/kykl.12380 · Cited by 11
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“40 Gen Z men with high self-reliance may be more likely to seek support from diverse sources.”
Meteier, Q., Délèze, A., Chappuis, S., Witowska, J., Wittmann, M., Ogden, R., & Martin-Söelch, C. (2025) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-025-94316-3 · Cited by 12
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“These findings suggest that the role of social interactions (both online and offline) and social comparison tendencies as markers of problematic social media use should be further explored [36,59].”
From surviving to thriving: How sleep, physical activity, and diet shape well-being in young adults
Cooper, J. R. H., Turner, R., & Conner, T. S. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0329689 · Cited by 10
Buunk, A. P., & Brenninkmeijer, V. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph192013139 · Cited by 9
“In the past four decades, researchers have become increasingly interested in the role of social comparisons with regard to well-being [16], including, in recent years, the role of on-line comparisons [17].”
BackgroundWen, H., Kong, X., & Feng, Y. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1017775 · Cited by 13
“On the one hand, consistent with the studies available, previous researchers have found that cyber upward social comparison will have an impact on people’s cognition (Verduyn et al., 2020), resulting in cognitive distortion.”
BackgroundResultLiu, X., Feng, R., Chen, X., & Yu, Y. (2024) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1406895 · Cited by 8
“Social comparison unveils the negative emotional responses users experience when comparing themselves to more specialized individuals, potentially diminishing their positive engagement and resulting in lurking behavior (Nisar et al., 2019; Verduyn et al., 2020; Okano and Nomura, 2023).”
BackgroundThe Contributions of Social Comparison to Social Network Site AddictionPreprint
Kim, H., Schlicht, R., Schardt, M., & Florack, A. (2020) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/v3qmj · Cited by 8
Social Media Self-Effects on Adolescents’ Self-Esteem: A 100-Day Diary StudyPreprint
de Vaate, N. A. J. D. B., Valkenburg, P. M., Janssen, L. H. C., van der Wal, A., Keijsers, L., & Beyens, I. (2023) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/qre85 · Cited by 11
Liu, Z., & Xiao, L.-Y. (2024) · Behavioral Science · doi:10.3390/bs14121162 · Cited by 7
“Consequently, it is recognized as a significant mediating variable between social media use and SWB [14].”
Augmented youth: Prevalence and predictors of AR filter use on social media among adolescents
Tian, W., van Reijmersdal, E. A., Daas, R., Larsen, H., & Peter, J. (2025) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2025.108686 · Cited by 7
Jacobucci, R., Blacutt, M. E., Ram, N., & Ammerman, B. A. (2025) · npj Digital Medicine · doi:10.1038/s41746-025-01740-w · Cited by 7
“For example, active social media use (i.e., posting, one-on-one exchanges) has been hypothesized to yield positive outcomes, while passive use (i.e., scrolling) may increase the risk for social and mental health dif fi culties 31,32 .”
Reimann, L., Binnewies, C., Kruse, L., Küskes, K., Thorbrügge, H., Ozimek, P., & Loose, S. (2025) · Journal of Occupational and Organizational Psychology · doi:10.1111/joop.70058 · Cited by 9
Should I post? The relationships among social media use, emotion recognition, and mental health
Scarpulla, E., Stosic, M. D., Weaver, A. E., & Ruben, M. A. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1161300 · Cited by 10
“, likes), and relationship building while PSMU leads to declines in mental health because it induces upward social comparison and envy (Verduyn et al., 2017; Guyer and Vaughan-Johnston, 2020; Verduyn et al., 2020).”
BackgroundLu, H. (2023) · Computers in Human Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.chb.2023.107846 · Cited by 7
Lin, S., Zhang, J., Wang, L., & Wang, S. (2024) · Journal of the Knowledge Economy · doi:10.1007/s13132-024-01805-3 · Cited by 7
“This practice is not confined to one’s immediate social circle but extends to comparisons with a broader online community, including celebrities and influencers (Verduyn et al., 2020).”
RetractedBaga, K., Salvatore, G. M., Bercovitz, I., Mogle, J. A., & Arigo, D. (2024) · Applied Psychology Health and Well-Being · doi:10.1111/aphw.12553 · Cited by 7
A meta-analysis on the relationship between the use of electronic media and psychological well-being
Liu, D., Baumeister, R. F., & Yang, C. (2024) · Emerging Trends in Drugs Addictions and Health · doi:10.1016/j.etdah.2024.100162 · Cited by 18
Social Media’s Influence on Gendered Interpersonal Communication: Insights from Jordan
Zibin, A. S., Al-Sabatin, Y., & Altakhaineh, A. R. M. (2025) · Journalism and Media · doi:10.3390/journalmedia6020047 · Cited by 7
“According to Verduyn et al. (2020), social networking sites are internet platforms that emerged with Web 2.0, enabling users to interact within virtual communities centered on shared interests or affiliations.”
InfluentialVeleda, G. W., Seoane, G. R., Ezequiel, G. R., Ferreira, C. M., de Figueiredo, V. L. M., Meyer, T. D. S., Araújo, J. M. G., Rizo, L., Cardoso, T. D. A., de Aguiar, K. R., et al. (2023) · Trends in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy · doi:10.47626/2237-6089-2022-0573 · Cited by 7
“Furthermore, its field of application seems to be extensive and complex, since social comparison has been associated with different dimensions of work, 17 well-being, 18 depression and anxiety, 19 use of social networking sites, 20 and body satisfaction, 21 for example.”
Vidal, C., & Wissow, L. S. (2023) · Journal of Applied Social Science · doi:10.1177/19367244221140306 · Cited by 9
“Despite evidence of the importance of social comparisons made on social media and their effects on well-being (Verduyn et al. 2020) amid rising prevalence of social media use at increasingly younger ages (Pew Research Center 2018), few studies have focused on children and adolescents (McCarthy and Morina 2020).”
BackgroundReeling in Stories: An Investigation of Creative Behaviors and Creativity‐Support on Instagram
Ceh, S. M., & Benedek, M. (2024) · The Journal of Creative Behavior · doi:10.1002/jocb.653 · Cited by 7
Kim, J., & Kim, M. (2025) · Behavioral Sciences · doi:10.3390/bs15040414 · Cited by 6
“Moreover, the observed engagement with Dove’s campaign themes aligns with Verduyn et al.’s (2020) findings on how positive social media content can mitigate harmful comparison behaviors.”
Li, M., Li, X., Yang, F., & Zhang, T. (2025) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1628208 · Cited by 11
“…media use means that one only browses online content without interacting with others; in contrast, active social media use means that one not only browses the content shared by others but also publishes their own works and is willing to discuss them with other online users (Verduyn et al., 2020).”
Antecedents to Following Brands on Facebook and Instagram with Moderating Role of User Experience
Manzoor, A. (2023) · FIIB Business Review · doi:10.1177/23197145221151010 · Cited by 2
“With the growing trend of social media usage, retailers and brands are investing heavily in this new advertising tool to make stronger bonds with their customers (Cavus et al., 2021; Verduyn et al., 2020).”
Yu, W., Li, M., & Qin, X. (2024) · Applied Psychology · doi:10.1111/apps.12524 · Cited by 9
Feeling low: How social media influences employees' knowledge hidings and innovative behavior
Chen, Y., Pitafi, A. H., Saher, L., & Wang, G. (2024) · Acta Psychologica · doi:10.1016/j.actpsy.2024.104261 · Cited by 7
Consumer engagement with preventive health technologies: A double‐edged sword for consumer wellbeing
Baiwir, L., Dessart, L., & Delcourt, C. (2024) · Journal of Consumer Affairs · doi:10.1111/joca.12603 · Cited by 6
González‐Nuevo, C., Cuesta, M., Muñiz, J., Postigo, Á., Menéndez-Aller, Á., & Kuss, D. J. (2022) · Journal of Clinical Medicine · doi:10.3390/jcm11247431 · Cited by 7
“One of the most prominent pathological features of SNS use is negative comparative use, in which the user feels inferior to others [35].”
BackgroundLiu, Y., & Yi, H. (2022) · Science Progress · doi:10.1177/00368504221144439 · Cited by 7
“browsing others’ posts and pictures) may elicit upward social comparison,(20,21) decrease self-esteem,(20) increase envy and subsequent depression,(21,24) and reduce subjective well-being.(25) Moreover, SNS users may not receive a response (e.”
BackgroundCamerini, A.-L., Albanese, E., & Marciano, L. (2021) · PsyArXiv (OSF Preprints) · doi:10.31234/osf.io/ehbsn · Cited by 6
Becker, K., Alleva, J. M., Fleuren, B. P. I., & Verduyn, P. (2025) · Body Image · doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2025.101906 · Cited by 6
Self-citationThe development and validation of the extended active-passive social media use scale
Niu, X., Verduyn, P., Gaskin, J. E., Scherr, S., McDonnell, D., & Wang, J. (2025) · Cyberpsychology Journal of Psychosocial Research on Cyberspace · doi:10.5817/cp2025-3-1 · Cited by 8
Self-citation
Metadata
- Authors
- Verduyn, P., Gugushvili, N., Massar, K., Täht, K., & Kross, E.
- Affiliations
- Maastricht University (NL)
- University of Tartu (EE)
- University of Michigan (US)
- Corresponding author
- Verduyn, Philippe
- Venue
- Current Opinion in Psychology
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2020-12
- Volume
- 36
- Pages
- 32-37
- ISSN
- 2352-250X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W3022958855
- Cited by
- 500
- References
- 63
- Citations by year
- 2026: 96 · 2025: 107 · 2024: 115 · 2023: 82 · 2022: 56 · 2021: 37 · 2020: 5
- FWCI
- 7.91
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Licence
- Locations
- Current Opinion in Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Impact of Technology on Adolescents
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Psychological Well-being and Life Satisfaction
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Innovative Human-Technology Interaction
- Keywords
- social comparison, social networking sites, subjective well-being, upward social comparison, passive social media use
- MeSH terms
- Social Comparison, Humans, Social Networking
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