Home Blog Best Practices New Study Reveals What Guests Really Share on Social Media

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.

Join our mailing list for updates, tips, and inspiration:

Get on the list!

"*" indicates required fields

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
I agree to receive emails & promotions*

Related blog posts

Rebecca Connors • September 14, 2026

Recipe: Frankenstein’s Bloody Brew Cocktail

Built for Halloween parties, bar specials, and themed events, Frankenstein’s Bloody Brew mixes cherry, coffee, spice, and a dramatic red layer for a cocktail that looks as bold as it tastes. A smooth cream foam on top creates the perfect surface for a spooky Frankenstein-inspired design printed with the Ripple Maker cocktail printer. Ingredients Cocktail
Rebecca Connors • September 14, 2026

How Cafés Can Profit From the Home-Espresso Boom

More customers can now make a good espresso without leaving home. That sounds like a challenge for cafés, and for routine coffee purchases, it can be. A customer with an espresso machine, grinder, and favorite beans may no longer need to stop at a café every morning just to get a cappuccino. But home espresso
Rebecca Connors • September 14, 2026

Why Many Cafés Don’t Make It Past the First Five Years & How to Avoid It 

Opening a café is exciting. Keeping one open is much harder. U.S. business survival data shows that only around 59% of accommodation and food-service businesses are still operating after five years. In other words, roughly 4 in 10 close within their first five years. And the problem is not necessarily bad coffee. A café can