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New Study Reveals What Guests Really Share on Social Media

Rebecca ConnorsFebruary 1, 2026

We’ve seen that printed drinks tend to show up more often on social media – guests consistently take photos, post stories, and tag locations. But observation alone isn’t enough. 

We wanted to measure its effect and see how often this happens in real hospitality environments. To do this, Ripples conducted a real analysis of organic social media posts created by guests, focused specifically on content driven by the Ripple Maker.

The study reviewed thousands of public Instagram posts created by guests at cafés, bars, restaurants, and event venues using the Ripple Maker around the world.

The Key Finding

On average, 62% of beverage-related posts featured Rippled drinks.

In practical terms, when guests chose to post drinks from these locations, Rippled drinks appeared in the majority of those posts. 

When the guest experience includes something visually memorable, something worth photographing, customers share it naturally. 

Not through ads. Simply by posting!

Why This Matters for Café, Bar, and Restaurant Owners

The ROI of branding in the hospitality industry is not just about immediate sales. It also reflects long-term value through recognition, recall, and emotional connection. With Ripple Maker, you can accomplish all three.

A branded coffee moment may cost very little, but it creates lasting impressions that stay with your customer long after the cup is empty. You’re not just spending money on brand awareness, you’re building relationships one custom latte at a time.

The Takeaway

This research shows that Ripples significantly increases the likelihood that drinks are shared on social media. For cafés, bars, and restaurants, that makes it an effective, low-effort way to grow visibility through authentic guest content.

When a drink becomes your customer experience – they do the marketing for you.

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