Nowadays, social media marketing offers the global market unprecedented opportunities to connect with consumers in personalized and engaging ways. The rise of influencer marketing, user-generated content, and targeted advertising has further augmented the impact of social media marketing on consumer purchasing decisions. The study of impulsive buying behavior among college students in the context of social media marketing offers valuable insights into consumer behavior in one of the world's largest and most dynamic markets, China. The aim of this general literature review is to conduct a thematic review of existing peer-reviewed publications on the concept and various aspects of social media marketing and its influence on impulsive purchasing behavior. This study summarizes literature under three themes: social media marketing among Chinese college students, impulsive buying behavior in the Chinese context, and the impact of social media marketing on impulsive buying behavior. Future research could address the identified theoretical, conceptual and demographic gaps from this study to create a more inclusive understanding of impulsive buying behavior in the digital age.