Researchers believe they have found the perfect WhatsApp audio message length after a new generational divide has been revealed.
As many as four in five Brits do not listen to the very end of voice-notes, according to a new study.
Introduced in 2013, some seven billion phone audio messages are sent worldwide every day.
But not all mobile users are equally delighted to receive them.
While Gen Z youngsters are the most profilic voice-note users, sending the highest number and longest length audio messages, Baby Boomers send the fewest and shortest clips, a Talkmobile study has found.
Now, Talkmobile researchers believe they have pinpointed the ideal length of an audio message.
Britain’s Baby Boomers, aged 60 to 78, are the quickest to cut-off a voice-note at two minutes and 30 seconds on average.
Meanwhile Gen Z, the nation’s youngest generation of adults at ages of between 18 and 27, listen for the longest at three minutes and 36 seconds before quitting, according to Talkmobile.
How often do you use voice-notes?
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Every day
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Occasionally
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Never
The study also found that people are more likely to listen to a phone voice-note from their mother (44%) or child (43%).
But they’re least likely to listen to one from a boss (21%) or colleague (15%).
Gen Z voice-notes average 12 minutes and 24 seconds, suggesting two thirds (3.4) of most audio messages sent by young adults to peers and pals go unheard.
Boomers in contrast send far shorter voice-notes, averaging two minutes and 18 seconds.
But Talkmobile believes it has found the voice-note ‘sweet spot’.
Patience runs out at precisely three minutes and six seconds for the average Brit – suggesting an audio message any longer will not be heard in full.
Stuart Wilson, of Talkmobile, said: ‘A short, snappy voice-note is the ideal way to get your message across – anything longer, just give them a call.’