With the rapid development of social media and the widespread adoption of the internet, short video platforms have become an important part of consumers' daily lives. They have also become a significant medium for information acquisition, social interaction, and consumption decision-making. The rise of short video platforms has played a crucial role in the purchasing decisions of Generation Z. This study focuses on four key pathways: emotional arousal, social identity, platform algorithms, and user-generated content (UGC). It also explains them through real-life case studies. The research finds that short video platforms have changed the purchasing paths of Generation Z.This transformation is driven by immersive content, algorithm-driven distribution, and strong interactive features. Emotional drive, herd mentality, personalized recommendations, and trust in UGC jointly influence consumer behavior. Based on this, this paper proposes these recommendations: platforms need to enhance advertising transparency and standardize commercial content labeling. It should increase algorithm transparency and grant users the power to self-manage their data and guide consumers like Generation Z towards rational consumption.
Research Article
Open Access