In trading, verified and timely information is key to achieving consistency, getting a competitive edge, and avoiding risks.
What sources do traders use to gain fundamental knowledge and financial insights? What types of content do they choose?
Octa, a broker with globally recognised licences, conducted research in Malaysia to learn about local traders’ content consumption preferences.
Media’s opinions matter
Octa, a global broker since 2011, surveyed Malaysian traders’ preferences regarding various media and content types.
The results seem especially relevant to emerging traders who struggle to decide on the optimal types and sources of financial information to help them navigate the markets.
First and foremost, Octa’s survey showed that traders most often choose a broker based on information from the media.
85% of respondents said that media articles and reviews impact their decisions to a certain degree, while only 15% declared that this is never the case.
Another significant result concerns the importance of media for traders’ self-development: 61 % of respondents said they watch educational videos on YouTube to improve their trading skills and acquire new financial knowledge.
When asked what content format they find the most convenient, most respondents highlighted videos, with webinars and text articles following suit.
As a broker that focuses on meeting traders’ needs, Octa keeps up with the trend towards learning through educational videos.
The broker empowers traders through its YouTube channel, which currently boasts more than one million subscribers.
Content preferences
It comes as no surprise that 47% of traders use Telegram and WhatsApp channels to get trading insights since these platforms have long been established as popular information sources.
However, despite their popularity, we cannot assume that being part of trading communities or groups on these two platforms is a one-size-fits-all recipe for success.
Regarding content type preferences, when answering a multiple-answer question, 43% of participants said they read news while 30% opt for financial and economic overviews.
22% derive value from educational content. Based on this data, it is evident that all these content types are essential in keeping your trading on point.
Media formats
The audiences’ disposition towards video over text is reflected in the content format choices: 63% of respondents prefer videos, with webinars as the second most popular answer and articles in third place.
When asked why they chose one media over others, 50% of surveyed traders indicated the reliability of the information, 35% emphasised timely coverage of main events, and 32% specified access to expert opinions as their primary criterion.
Social media
54% of Malaysian traders who participated in the survey prefer consuming social media content in their native language, while 41% chose English.
Only 5% feel most comfortable reading and watching content in Chinese. When asked to name the social media influencers they follow and read the most, the respondents named Elon Musk and Donald Trump, among others.
This interest towards major social media newsmakers shows that staying up-to-date with the latest global news may be crucial to achieving trading success.
Education and learning
One valuable practical implication of the survey is that the choice of tradable assets does not impact traders’ media preferences in any meaningful way.
Octa’s research also revealed an interesting paradox. While 61% of participants watch educational videos on YouTube, only 14% actually enjoy this type of content.
Based on the Octa research’s results, it can be assumed that almost half of the respondents treat educational videos as bitter but indispensable medicine.
They watch this type of content not because it is interesting but because they believe, and rightfully so, it can benefit their trading.
Octa’s survey showed that traders follow expert recommendations by engaging in continuous learning and following global economic news.
Despite a marked trend towards video content, many read news and articles in media, using all available channels to keep up-to-date with the markets. —Mar 12, 2025
Main image: octa
