The metaverse is growing fast, and avatars are at the heart of this digital world. These digital identities allow users to express themselves, interact, and navigate virtual platforms. Understanding how users behave with their avatars—and how they customize them—is crucial for developers, brands, investors, and even legal experts thinking about intellectual property in this space. Below are 30 important statistics, each with a deep dive into what it means, why it matters, and what you can do about it.
1. 92% of metaverse users customize their avatars upon initial entry
Almost everyone who enters the metaverse changes how their avatar looks. This means the default appearance just doesn’t cut it. Users want to see themselves—or who they want to be—reflected right from the start.
If you’re building a metaverse platform, make sure your onboarding process encourages easy and quick customization. Provide starter templates, diverse body types, and a wide range of skin tones, hairstyles, and outfits.
From a business angle, this is your chance to connect emotionally with your users. Brands can even sponsor default looks, giving users options like “Styled by X Brand.”
For developers, make the interface for customization smooth and mobile-friendly. Long loading times or complex UI during avatar creation can cause users to bounce.
Legally speaking, companies should also consider copyrighting unique avatar designs to avoid copycats.
2. 74% of users say avatar appearance affects their confidence in virtual spaces
Looks matter in the metaverse. If users feel good about how they look, they’re more likely to interact, speak up, or even spend more time online. This opens up opportunities for brands, educators, and employers working in virtual environments.
To empower users, give them customization options that help them look how they want to feel—strong, stylish, confident, or even fun. Avoid locking important features behind paywalls.
Let users access core appearance traits for free, then offer enhancements like premium outfits or animations.
For HR professionals or educators using virtual platforms, consider offering avatar workshops or guides that help people create identities that reflect their goals and comfort levels.
Think of it as digital personal branding.
3. 61% of users spend money on avatar customization
People are not just playing around with avatars—they’re investing in them. Avatar upgrades are one of the biggest drivers of in-platform purchases. This includes everything from clothes to accessories, animations, and skins.
If you’re running a metaverse business, you should absolutely have a digital item marketplace. Focus on microtransactions: small, affordable purchases that add up. You can also create digital fashion drops, special edition items, or event-based gear to increase urgency.
Artists and creators can monetize their skills here. Offer customizable pieces or design packages that users can buy. Don’t forget to protect your IP through trademarks or digital watermarks—these designs are valuable assets.
4. Average amount spent on avatar customization per user annually is $140
That’s a significant amount, especially if you have thousands or millions of users. This is why so many platforms push avatar features to the forefront. It’s a major revenue stream.
To increase user spend, offer tiered customization options. Let people buy single pieces, bundles, or subscriptions for regular drops. The key is variety. You should offer enough to meet both low-budget and premium users.
For brands, partner with metaverse platforms to release co-branded avatar gear. This could be an exclusive hoodie, a virtual perfume trail, or a signature animation. Make sure to legally license any collaborations to avoid disputes down the line.
5. 47% of users update their avatar monthly
A lot of people treat their avatars like a wardrobe—they change it regularly to reflect moods, seasons, or events. If your platform doesn’t support this level of fluidity, you might be missing out.
Offer fresh content often. Whether it’s weekly outfit drops or limited-time animations, users will come back if they know there’s something new to try. This also helps with user retention and platform stickiness.
You can use behavior data to push relevant customization options. For example, if a user frequently chooses sporty looks, suggest new gear in that category. Developers should ensure the platform can handle frequent changes without slowing down performance.
6. 32% of users update their avatar weekly
These users are highly engaged. They don’t just live in the metaverse; they actively shape their identity each week. This tells us that avatar customization isn’t a one-time action—it’s an ongoing behavior.
This is your most valuable user segment. Create loyalty programs or badges for users who customize often. Show off their styles in public spaces or leaderboards.
Rewarding creativity keeps these users active and loyal.
Think of it like social media—some users treat their avatar the way others treat an Instagram feed. Give them reasons to keep updating, whether it’s seasonal gear, trending outfits, or fun collaborations.
Protect your best-performing items with copyrights or usage rights.
7. 79% of Gen Z users consider their metaverse avatar as an extension of their identity
For Gen Z, avatars are not just digital puppets—they’re personal. This means the customization options you provide need to go deep, reflecting style, culture, values, and more.
Make sure you’re providing inclusive and diverse options. This goes beyond race or gender—it includes tattoos, religious attire, disabilities, and even personality-based animations.
As a business, this is a branding opportunity. Align your avatar items with what Gen Z cares about. Eco-fashion? Cultural heritage? Virtual activism? This is where emotional loyalty starts.
If you’re creating something unique, patent the technology that enables advanced customization.
8. 63% of users prefer fantasy or non-human avatars
People don’t just want to replicate real life. They want to explore new identities, become something otherworldly, or just have fun being a dragon or alien.
Offer both realistic and fantasy options. And make sure your non-human avatars can still wear gear, express emotion, and interact naturally. This expands your user base to role-players, gamers, and creatives.
Brands can step in here too—design wings, magical armor, or glowing eyes as part of digital campaigns.
If you’re a developer, create tools that support dynamic transformations, like switching between human and creature forms.
File utility patents for unique transformation tech to safeguard your advantage.
9. 58% of users say avatar customization options influence their choice of platform
This stat proves how important it is to get avatar features right. If people don’t like your options, they’ll leave and find a better one.
Make customization one of your main selling points. Showcase it on your homepage. Offer free demos. Let users preview items before buying. And most importantly, keep adding fresh content regularly.
If your platform is strong in a specific style—say streetwear or cyberpunk—lean into it. You don’t have to please everyone, but you do have to be excellent at your niche. Work with designers and license unique styles to stay competitive.
10. 42% of users own more than one avatar across platforms
People jump between different metaverse spaces, and many don’t just stick to one identity. This shows the demand for cross-platform avatars and multiple self-expressions.
Create features that let users save multiple avatars or export them to other platforms. Interoperability is becoming a hot topic, and platforms that support it will stand out.
As a developer, consider using open avatar standards. As a brand, think about releasing avatar packs that work across different ecosystems.
On the legal side, you’ll want to define ownership rights for these assets and track their usage to prevent unauthorized copying.
11. 67% of users value the ability to express gender fluidity through avatars
The metaverse gives people the chance to express themselves freely, especially when it comes to gender.
A majority of users, especially younger ones, want the flexibility to present their gender however they feel—whether that’s masculine, feminine, non-binary, or fluid.
To meet this need, platforms should avoid forcing users into strict gender categories during avatar creation. Instead of “male” or “female,” allow users to choose body types, facial features, clothing, and voices independently.
This creates space for expression without labels.
From a design perspective, your clothing and accessories should be available to all avatars regardless of assigned gender. Let users mix and match freely. Brands can stand out by offering inclusive fashion that reflects real-world gender diversity.
And legally, protect your gender-inclusive avatar systems through utility patents if they use unique mechanics or personalization logic.
12. 54% of users seek inclusive customization options (e.g., disabilities, body types)
Representation matters. Many users want their avatars to look like them—including wheelchairs, prosthetics, different body shapes, skin conditions, and more. These details can make someone feel truly seen in a virtual space.
If you’re developing avatar tools, think about a wide range of human experiences.
Include adjustable body types, mobility aids, visible scars, or birthmarks. Don’t treat these as “extras.” Make them part of your main customization offering.
Creators and brands have a chance to lead here. Inclusive gear not only serves real users, but also sends a message that your platform is thoughtful and future-focused.
Don’t forget to involve diverse communities in your design process. When it comes to IP, inclusive asset sets can be protected under design patents or copyrights.
13. 36% of users match their avatar’s fashion to current real-world trends
This stat shows how closely tied the virtual world is to real-world fashion. Many people dress their avatars in the latest styles they see on social media, in magazines, or on celebrities.
For developers, this means you need to keep your fashion catalog fresh.
Update it often to match seasons, holidays, and real-life trends. Collaborate with real-world fashion designers or influencers to bring in hype-worthy items.
If you’re in fashion or retail, the metaverse is your new runway. Release digital twins of your clothing lines as wearable avatars. Time these drops with physical product launches.
Protect your designs from being copied using copyright and brand trademark strategies.
14. 28% of users adopt celebrity or influencer-inspired avatar styles
Celebrity culture doesn’t stop at the screen. Many users want their avatars to dress and look like their favorite stars or online personalities. That means there’s strong demand for celebrity-branded gear, makeup, and even mannerisms.
Work with influencers and public figures to create exclusive looks, poses, or expressions that users can buy. From branded hairstyles to signature outfits, these digital assets can become top sellers.
If you’re managing a public figure’s brand, now’s the time to license their likeness for virtual use. You should also lock in image rights and negotiate clear licensing terms for virtual appearances.
These agreements will protect both the influencer and the platform from future legal disputes.
15. 91% of users agree that avatar customization increases platform engagement
This is a big one. Nearly all users say they’re more involved with a platform when they can customize their avatar. That means personalization is directly linked to how long someone stays and how much they interact.
To take advantage of this, make avatar customization easy to access and fun to use. Add interactive previews, real-time changes, and a smooth user experience. Even small updates, like new glasses or sneakers, can bring users back regularly.
For marketing teams, use customization events—like “Design Your Holiday Look” or “Style Battle Contest”—to spark excitement. Gamify the experience with rewards or rare unlockables. Every new outfit or trait should feel like something worth coming back for.
16. 49% of users use avatars for professional or educational purposes
Avatars aren’t just for gaming or hanging out anymore. Many people use them for virtual workspaces, online classes, and professional events. That means avatars need to be flexible and adaptable to serious settings.
If you run a platform with educational or corporate use cases, make sure to include business attire, formal hairstyles, and even backgrounds that match professional environments.
Avoid overly cartoonish features unless they’re optional.
Companies can provide branded avatar options for their employees. Think branded T-shirts, logo pins, or official uniforms. Educational platforms should allow student and teacher identifiers.
If you’re selling virtual tools or gear for work, make sure to register trademarks and watch for any unauthorized use.
17. 38% of users use avatars as a form of artistic self-expression
Many people treat avatar creation as a creative outlet. They’re not just building an identity—they’re making digital art. This is especially true in communities focused on creativity, roleplay, or performance.
Platforms should support this creativity by offering deep tools—color wheels, layering options, animation editing, and even custom emotes. Let users show their style in subtle or bold ways.
Creators can sell unique styles or animation packs. Offer design templates for others to remix and use.
If you’re developing tools for avatar art, consider patenting your system or offering APIs that allow third-party developers to plug in their own customizations.
18. 71% of users engage in social interactions primarily through avatars
The avatar is the main way people talk, play, and work together in the metaverse. It’s not just a cosmetic element—it’s a communication tool.
To support this, platforms should offer expressive features like gestures, facial expressions, and voice matching. Avatars should react and move in realistic ways. This makes conversations feel more natural.
Brands can also use avatars for customer support, community events, and product demos.
Train your virtual reps to use specific gestures or expressions. If you’re building expression tracking systems, make sure to secure IP rights to the tech that powers them.
19. 59% of users prefer 3D avatars over 2D or cartoon-style ones
Three-dimensional avatars offer more realism and flexibility. They let users walk through immersive environments, try on clothes with realistic physics, and express emotion in more lifelike ways.
If your platform still uses 2D avatars, now’s the time to upgrade. Focus on building lightweight, high-quality 3D models that work across devices. Users don’t want lag or slow rendering.
Businesses offering 3D assets should focus on modular designs. Let people swap out pieces easily. And make sure to offer different art styles—some users want hyper-realism, others prefer stylized looks. Protect your designs with digital watermarks and terms of use.
20. 85% of avatar customization time is spent on clothing and accessories
Fashion is the most important part of avatar customization for most users. That’s where they spend the most time tweaking and perfecting their look.
Offer a deep catalog of outfits, shoes, hats, jewelry, and other accessories. Let users preview items on their avatar before buying. Make sure everything fits correctly and doesn’t glitch when the avatar moves.
Clothing brands can shine here by launching virtual collections. Test new designs in the metaverse before going into physical production. This is a low-risk way to gather data on user preferences.
Just be sure to copyright your digital designs and set clear resale policies.
21. 44% of users prioritize facial customization features
Nearly half of all users focus on getting the face of their avatar just right. This isn’t surprising—faces are how we connect with others.
A unique face can help users stand out, feel more like themselves, or reflect a whole new identity they want to present.
If you’re designing avatar systems, your facial customization options should go beyond hair and eye color. Let users adjust things like cheekbone height, nose width, jawline, freckles, facial hair, and even asymmetry.
People are used to seeing high-detail character creation in video games—bring that same level of detail to your platform.
Also, facial expressions matter. Let avatars smile, frown, wink, and show emotions naturally during conversations. Add simple animation options that match common moods or responses.
This helps make social interactions feel more real. If you’re building technology that uses AI to animate faces in real time, make sure to protect your method through utility patents.
22. 53% of users want dynamic or reactive avatars that change with emotion or environment
People want avatars that feel alive—not just like mannequins. More than half of users are asking for avatars that adapt based on their mood, environment, or actions.
To meet this need, developers can explore emotion-tracking software that updates facial expressions or body language in real time. For example, an avatar could look excited when winning a game or appear sleepy in nighttime settings.
You can even let users pre-program emotional responses to common scenarios.
This opens up new monetization options too. Offer special mood animations, dynamic outfits that react to surroundings, or accessories that change color with emotional states. Think of it like mood rings, but in 3D form.
Businesses that build or integrate emotion-driven avatars should focus on privacy and data security. Emotional data is sensitive, especially if pulled from webcams or microphones.
Always give users full control over how and when emotions are detected and displayed.
23. 26% of users experience avatar fatigue from excessive customization choices
Too many choices can backfire. Over a quarter of users report feeling overwhelmed or tired from all the customization options out there. This creates friction, especially for new users or those not interested in spending hours tweaking their avatar.
To solve this, offer guided setup options. Create themed starter looks or “personality packs” that users can choose from.
For example, let users say “I’m casual and sporty” and auto-generate an outfit that fits that vibe.
Also, break the process into steps. Don’t show every single option at once. Keep the interface clean and group features into sections. Offer a randomize button for users who want quick results and allow saving of presets so users don’t have to start over every time.
If you’re running an e-commerce experience inside the metaverse, simplify avatar setup for first-time customers.
Let them shop and explore with a default avatar, then prompt them to personalize later once they’re more comfortable.
24. 62% of users would pay more for limited-edition or exclusive avatar items
Scarcity drives value. Over half of users are willing to spend extra on items that are rare or time-limited. This makes avatar items a perfect fit for limited drops and digital collectibles.
If you’re a platform or brand, create exclusive gear that’s only available during special events or collaborations. For example, launch a jacket design that’s only live for one week, or a glowing accessory that’s only sold during a holiday celebration.
You can also tie exclusivity to achievements. Let users unlock rare customization items after hitting milestones, like 100 hours on the platform or winning a competition.
These limited items act like digital trophies—and they’re often shared on social media.
From a legal perspective, limited-edition digital goods should come with strong usage rights. Consider using smart contracts or blockchain to authenticate ownership and prevent duplication.
You may also want to trademark exclusive item names or designs.
25. 33% of users link NFTs to their avatar identity
One-third of users are merging the worlds of NFTs and avatars. This often means using an NFT as a wearable, a skin, or even an entire avatar. It’s more than just aesthetics—it’s about ownership and status.
For developers, make sure your platform supports NFT integration.
Let users import or link their wallets and display their verified NFTs. Create marketplaces where NFT creators can offer avatar items with limited quantities and resale options.
Brands should explore NFT collaborations that include avatar utility. For example, buying a digital sneaker NFT could unlock an exclusive version of that shoe for your avatar.
Just make sure the NFT metadata clearly states usage rights for avatars and resale terms.
If you’re creating NFT-based avatars, be extra cautious with licensing and IP. Make sure artists, collaborators, and platforms have clearly defined agreements.
NFTs linked to avatars may cross into trademark and copyright territory fast—so consult legal experts before launching.
26. 70% of users say avatar customization enhances their immersion in the metaverse
When users can shape how they look, they feel more connected to the virtual world. Over two-thirds say it helps them feel like they truly “exist” inside the metaverse. This is huge for engagement.
Platforms should treat customization as a core part of the experience, not just an add-on. Make the avatar creation process part of the story—let users earn items by exploring, attending events, or completing missions.
Also, let users customize over time. Don’t expect them to do everything at once. Encourage them to return by gradually unlocking more advanced customization tools or styles.
For storytellers and educators using metaverse tools, avatars can help students or players identify with characters or themes. Think of it as dressing up for a part—but with deeper emotional connection.
From a business angle, enhancing immersion also leads to more monetization and longer session times.
27. 57% of users want interoperability of avatars across multiple metaverse platforms
People don’t want to start from scratch every time they join a new platform. Over half want to bring their avatars with them—same look, same gear, same identity.
Developers should start adopting avatar interoperability standards like VRM or Ready Player Me. These allow users to create one avatar and use it across multiple spaces. You don’t need to build everything from scratch—integrate with open systems where it makes sense.
If you’re a brand, releasing cross-platform gear is a smart move. Users will favor items they can use everywhere, not just in one app.
For legal protection, use digital rights management tools to track how your assets are used across platforms.
And if you’re building your own metaverse space, advertising your support for interoperable avatars is a huge selling point. It shows that your platform respects the user’s investment in their digital identity.
28. 41% of users identify more with their avatars than their real-world appearance
This stat is powerful. Almost half of users feel more connected to how they look in the metaverse than in real life. That shows how important avatars have become in shaping self-image.
Make sure your customization tools support self-expression in the deepest sense.
Offer options that help users reflect their personality, interests, and style—even things they might not feel safe doing in the real world.
Platforms can also build safe spaces where users feel free to express themselves without judgment.
Give tools for privacy, block options, and secure communication. Brands can use avatars to connect on a more emotional level—showing users that they “get” them, not just sell to them.
As avatars become part of identity, questions around digital rights grow.
Who owns the avatar? Can someone copy your look? Legal frameworks around personal data, likeness, and expression are evolving, and businesses need to stay updated.
29. 60% of users prefer avatars that resemble their real-life selves
While fantasy avatars are popular, the majority still prefer a digital version of themselves. This means users want tools that let them recreate their real-world features.
Offer scanning tools that convert selfies into avatars or let users upload photos as reference. Include common real-world elements like glasses, braces, birthmarks, and natural hairstyles. Realism doesn’t mean perfection—it means accuracy.
Give users the option to toggle between realistic and stylized looks. Some may want a cartoon version today and a lifelike one tomorrow. Flexibility builds trust.
For platforms with professional or social networking goals, realistic avatars help people feel more authentic in their interactions.
If you’re creating avatar generation tools, seek patents that cover the tech behind face-matching, skin tone recognition, or 3D scanning from 2D images.
30. 35% of users use AI-generated avatars or features for customization
Artificial intelligence is already shaping how users build their avatars. From auto-generating faces to recommending outfits based on mood, AI is making the process faster and smarter.
If you run a platform, consider integrating AI to speed up customization. Let users describe what they want—“a bold, retro look with neon accents”—and generate it automatically. Offer suggestions based on user history or popular trends.
But make sure users stay in control. Give them the option to tweak AI-generated results. Transparency also matters—tell users when AI is making suggestions and allow opt-outs.
From a legal perspective, AI-generated designs raise new questions about ownership. Who owns a shirt that was designed by AI?
The user? The platform? These issues are still being tested in courts, so always include clear terms of service that explain rights around AI-generated assets.
wrapping it up
The metaverse is reshaping how people express themselves, connect with others, and even earn money. Avatars are more than digital dolls—they’re personal, powerful, and profitable.
Whether you’re a developer, brand, creator, or legal expert, understanding how users behave with avatars can give you a huge edge.
