How many people in France use the internet and a smartphone?
The Digital Barometer is the reference survey published every year by Arcep and its partners, run by Crédoc.
of people in France aged 12 and over use the internet.
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
people use the internet in France, 95.2% of the population (January 2025).
Source : DataReportal, Digital 2025: France (2025)
What it means for you: Most customers will look you up on their phone: your website and Google profile must be easy to read on a small screen.
Do customers use messaging apps like WhatsApp?
Instant messaging is part of daily life for most people in France.
of the population uses instant messaging apps.
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
of messaging users use WhatsApp, 76% Messenger and 60% Instagram.
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
What it means for you: A direct link (booking, reviews, menu) is easy to share in these apps: keep it short and clear.
How many people in France shop online?
Buying online has become common, including for people who shop locally.
of people made at least one online purchase in the last 12 months.
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
hesitate to buy online because they cannot properly see or touch the products.
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
What it means for you: Seeing and touching is the edge of a physical shop: your photos, reviews and opening hours online make people want to come in.
How many people in France use ChatGPT and generative AI?
Generative AI spread faster than social media or smartphones did.
of people in France use generative AI (33% in 2024, 20% in 2023).
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
of generative AI users mainly used ChatGPT.
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
use a search engine to look for information, against 28% generative AI (among generative AI users).
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
What it means for you: Google search is still the first reflex, but more and more customers also ask an AI: a complete Google profile and detailed reviews help on both fronts.
Method and sources
We only use figures read on 18 October 2026 in the original documents, without rounding. The 2026 Digital Barometer (Arcep, Arcom, CGE, ANCT) was run by Crédoc with 4,145 people aged 12 and over in France, surveyed from 5 to 21 June 2025. DataReportal figures (Digital 2025: France) date from January 2025 and count user identities, not unique people. We will update this page with each new edition.
How many people in France use social media?
Social networks and video platforms are used by almost every internet user.
of internet users use social networks and video-sharing platforms, 46% every day.
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
of users post or comment every day or almost; 52% among under-25s.
Source : Arcep, Digital Barometer 2026 (Crédoc, France) (2026)
social media user identities in France in January 2025, 75.7% of the population.
Source : DataReportal, Digital 2025: France (2025)
What it means for you: DataReportal’s “identities” count accounts, not unique people: one person may have several. For a local business, a few regular posts are often enough.