The Rule of 7 Is Dead: Here’s What Actually Drives Action in 2025

For years, marketers repeated the same mantra: “It takes seven touches before someone buys from you.”

This idea: known as the “Rule of 7” came from a time before smartphones, social media algorithms, and 24/7 content chaos. Back then, seven exposures may have been enough.

Today? Seven isn’t even close.

Why Seven Touches Don’t Cut It Anymore

We live in a world where the average person is exposed to 10,000+ brand messages every day. Social media feeds, email blasts, push notifications, podcast ads, YouTube pre-rolls… it’s endless.

Here’s what that means:

• Shorter attention spans. If your message doesn’t instantly hit, it’s gone.

• Higher skepticism. People trust brands that show up consistently — not one-and-done posts.

• Multi-platform behavior. Users might need to see you on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, AND email before they even remember your name

So What Does It Take?

Recent data from marketing studies and digital behavior research shows this:

• For low-friction actions (likes, shares, clicks): ~8–12 touchpoints

• For purchase decisions (especially services or high-ticket): 30–60+ impressions

• In B2B or high-trust industries: 500+ interactions over time isn’t uncommon

And here’s the kicker, most of those touchpoints aren’t even from you. They include:

• Retargeted ads

• Social proof (comments, reviews, shares)

• Emails and DMs

• Website visits

• Brand mentions elsewhere

What This Means for Your Business

If you’re posting once a week and hoping it “gets seen,” you’re setting yourself up to be forgotten.

Here’s what works now:

1. Repetition With Purpose

People won’t act unless they’re seeing your brand regularly and consistently. That means multiple posts per week across platforms, with messaging that reinforces your core value.

2. Platform Diversity

Your audience isn’t just on one app. Meet them where they scroll: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, LinkedIn, even email. The more channels you’re on, the faster touchpoints add up.

3. Content Variety

Don’t just sell. Educate, entertain, relate, and inspire. The more types of content people consume from you, the more they trust you.

4. Retargeting is Non-Negotiable

Use retargeted ads to re-engage people who’ve already interacted. That’s how you turn casual scrollers into committed customers.

The Bottom Line

The Rule of 7? It’s dead, in 2025, brand visibility is a long game and consistency is your best weapon.

If you’re not showing up frequently and across multiple touchpoints, you’re invisible. Period.

Want Help Building a System That Actually Works?

At Savvy Social Solutions, we design strategies built for how people actually behave now.

Not 10 years ago. Not in theory. But today.

Let’s make your brand unforgettable, everywhere your audience lives online.