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How Fonts and Colour Psychology Affect Social Media Engagement

  • Writer: Ella Burgess
    Ella Burgess
  • Jun 11
  • 2 min read

Updated: Jul 10

You’ve likely heard the phrase, “people don’t read, they scan.” But what they’re scanning- your fonts, colours, and layout - can make or break whether they stay, engage, or scroll on by.


Fonts and colour psychology aren’t just aesthetic choices—they’re strategic tools that deeply influence how your brand is perceived on social media.


Let’s break down why that matters and how you can leverage design psychology to boost your engagement.


Fonts Set the Tone of Your Brand (Literally)


Fonts tell your audience how to feel before they even read your words.


  • Serif Fonts (e.g., Playfair Display, Times New Roman) = Classic, trustworthy, refined. Great for legacy or high-end brands.


  • Sans Serif Fonts (e.g., Helvetica, Montserrat) = Clean, modern, approachable. Perfect for minimalist or tech-forward brands.


  • Script Fonts (e.g., Sloop Script Pro) = Elegant, feminine, artistic. Best used as an accent for visual interest.


  • Display Fonts (Bold or Quirky Styles) = Energetic, eye-catching, expressive. Ideal for bold, creative brands—used sparingly.


Colour Psychology Triggers Emotional Response


Colour isn’t just “branding.” It’s subconscious communication.


  • Blue = Trust, calm, intelligence


  • Red = Urgency, passion, power


  • Yellow = Optimism, energy, creativity


  • Green = Growth, health, tranquility


  • Black/White = Luxury, minimalism, sophistication


  • Pink/Lavender = Femininity, softness, self-care


Tip: use of 2–3 consistent brand colours to increase customer recognition by up to 80% (source: Reboot Online).


How to Use This in Your Own Socials


  • Choose 1–2 main fonts: a strong heading font and a clean body font.


  • Stick to a consistent colour palette across Reels covers, Stories, and graphics.


  • Use color intentionally - highlight CTAs in high-contrast shades to increase clicks.


  • Don’t forget accessibility: dark text on light backgrounds increases legibility.


Fonts and colours are more than visuals - they’re a non-verbal brand language that customers universally perceive. When used intentionally, they build trust, emotion, and recognition—all factors that drive better social media engagement.


Want to create a social visual identity that actually converts?



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