Whether or not you’re a seasoned social media marketer, a marketer trying to enterprise into social media advertising, or a enterprise proprietor who needs to leverage the big energy of social, it’s useful to learn about the most well-liked social media platforms on the market proper now. This may can help you maximize your model attain, interact with the best individuals, and nail your social media advertising technique.
After all, it isn’t solely in regards to the whole variety of customers on the host of social media apps on the market. It’s additionally essential to know whether or not the social networking website is a proper match for what you are promoting and also you. Does it suit your model picture? Is your target market utilizing that social media website? What number of social media platforms are you able to handle without delay?
To make issues simpler, we researched and compiled details about the highest social media websites in 2024. Some might be acquainted to you, whereas others may sound new. We advocate studying by way of this listing to study extra in regards to the social media apps that is likely to be nice on your model. And keep in mind, you don’t must be on each social media website to have a profitable model.
Bounce to a social media platform:
This listing is ranked by the newest knowledge on month-to-month energetic customers (MAUs)*. Whereas it is helpful to see the sheer quantity of customers every website has, it would not essentially imply the one with the largest person base is the perfect on your model. In case your target market just isn’t energetic there, the platform is not definitely worth the effort and time it’s going to take to handle it.
Begin your social media advertising technique by pinpointing the place your splendid clients are energetic, to get the perfect return on funding (ROI) for what you are promoting.
1. Fb
3.65 billion MAU
Fb is the most important social networking website, with over 3 billion individuals utilizing it month-to-month, based on Statista. This implies roughly 37 p.c of the world’s inhabitants are Fb customers. Fb’s direct messaging spin-off app, Fb Messenger, boasts 931 million month-to-month energetic customers.
Greater than 200 million companies (largely small companies) use Fb instruments, and greater than seven million advertisers actively promote their enterprise on Fb, which makes it a fairly secure guess if you wish to have a presence on social media. Fb Teams, together with the platform’s highly effective promoting instrument, Fb Advertisements Supervisor, additionally make it simpler to achieve extra individuals and develop your following on Fb.
It’s straightforward to get began on Fb as a result of nearly all content material codecs work nice on Fb — textual content, photographs, video content material (Fb Reels), and Tales. However the Fb algorithm prioritizes content material that sparks conversations and significant interactions between individuals, particularly these from household and buddies.
2. WhatsApp
2.78 billion MAU
WhatsApp is a messaging app utilized by individuals in over 180 nations, boasting an estimated 2.78 energetic customers, based on Statista.
Initially, individuals initially used WhatsApp to ship textual content messages to their household and buddies, however the launch of WhatsApp Enterprise in 2018 has seen the messaging platform turn into a preferred selection for manufacturers. WhatsApp Enterprise reported having over 200 million month-to-month energetic customers in June 2023.
WhatsApp’s enterprise platform permits companies to supply buyer assist and share updates with clients about their purchases. For small companies, there’s the WhatsApp Enterprise app, whereas enterprise companies can use the WhatsApp Enterprise API.
As probably the most broadly used messaging platform, WhatsApp generally is a nice customer support channel for what you are promoting.
3. YouTube
2.5 billion MAU
YouTube is a video-sharing platform the place customers watch a billion hours of movies every day. In addition to being the second largest social media app, YouTube is commonly known as the second largest search engine after Google, its mother or father firm.
So, should you use video to advertise what you are promoting, then you definately positively want so as to add YouTube to your advertising technique. To get began, right here’s easy methods to create a YouTube channel on your model.
To assist your movies get found by extra individuals, we advocate studying up on YouTube search engine optimization and the YouTube algorithm.
4. Instagram
2.04 billion MAU
As a visible social networking platform, Instagram is the place for showcasing your services or products with images or movies. On the app, you’ll be able to share a variety of content material, akin to images, movies, Tales, Reels, and reside movies.
As a model, you’ll be able to create an Instagram enterprise profile, which supplies wealthy analytics of your profile and posts and the power to schedule Instagram posts utilizing third-party instruments. It’s additionally an incredible place to get user-generated content material out of your viewers as a result of customers regularly share content material and tag manufacturers.
As is the case with Fb, the Instagram algorithm prioritizes engagement above all else. Take a look at this information that will help you develop your following on Instagram, whether or not you are a seasoned creator or simply beginning out.
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5. TikTok
1.5 billion MAU
TikTok (often called Douyin in China) is a short-form video-sharing app. Regardless of solely launching in 2017, it’s one of many fastest-growing apps on the earth and lately overtook Google because the most visited web website.
TikTok permits customers to create and share movies between 15 seconds and 10 minutes lengthy, and the app has an enormous catalog of sound results, music snippets, and filters to reinforce the movies and make them extra interesting.
Yow will discover movies regarding nearly all pursuits, starting from lip-syncs, dancing, and challenges to DIY tips and make-up tutorials. About 47.4 p.c of TikTok customers within the U.S. are aged 10-29. So in case your goal demographic is younger, then TikTok is a superb social media platform for what you are promoting to be on.
The TikTok algorithm prioritizes engagement, in addition to video watch time — so it is essential to hook viewers in from the primary few seconds of your video. Here is our information to getting extra followers on TikTok.
6. WeChat
1.34 billion MAU
WeChat was launched in 2011 by Tencent, certainly one of China’s largest tech firms. With over 1.32 billion month-to-month customers, 80 p.c of China’s whole inhabitants is energetic on the app.
Like WhatsApp and Messenger, WeChat was initially a messaging app, but it surely’s developed into an all-in-one platform. In addition to messaging and calling, customers can store on-line, pay payments, purchase groceries, switch cash, make reservations, e-book taxis, and extra.
WeChat is the most well-liked social media app in China and different components of Asia. So if you wish to enhance your model in China (the place common social networks like Fb and X are banned), WeChat is an effective various. You may run advertisements on the official WeChat account or on WeChat Moments. There are additionally many WeChat-based influencers who may also help your model attain thousands and thousands of Chinese language customers.
7. Telegram
900 million MAU
Telegram is a free messaging app that works throughout a number of units with no limits on media sizes.
Telegram’s distinctive function is its end-to-end encryption for all actions, together with chats, teams, and media shared between members. Its concentrate on safety has drawn extra clients through the years, particularly when WhatsApp introduced modifications to its privateness coverage that will permit it to share info with mother or father firm Meta.
There are a number of methods manufacturers could make use of Telegram, moreover offering one-on-one buyer assist. For instance, manufacturers can create chatbots for the Telegram platform or make use of Telegram’s channel function to broadcast messages to as much as 200,000 individuals.
8. Snapchat
800 million MAU
Snapchat focuses on images and quick movies (often called snaps) shared between buddies. It made the vertical video format common, which finally proliferated on different visible social media apps like Instagram and TikTok.
However the rise of Instagram Tales, particularly, appears to have hindered Snapchat’s development and entrepreneurs’ curiosity in utilizing Snapchat for his or her manufacturers usually.
Nonetheless, 69% of U.S. teenagers say they use Snapchat. So in case your target market is generally youngsters, it’s best to think about using the app. Should you’re not aware of Snapchat, try our newbie’s information to Snapchat. Or should you’re undecided between Snapchat and Instagram, we wrote somewhat comparability of Snapchat and Instagram for manufacturers.
9. Kuaishou
700 million MAU
Kuaishou is a Chinese language rival to Douyin or TikTok. Like its opponents, Kuaishou permits customers to overlay textual content and stickers to photographs or movies and add sound bites. Customers may also reside stream content material to their followers on the platform or file longer movies.
In comparison with TikTok, Kuaishou is extra common with an older viewers, particularly in rural components of China. The app additionally depends extra on e-commerce income than on promoting income.
10. X (previously Twitter)
611 million MAU
X’s month-to-month energetic person numbers have been reported as anyplace between 335 million to 666 million. In a September 2023 interview, X CEO Linda Yaccarino shared that the corporate presently had 550 million MAUs, so we have gone with that worth.
The platform as soon as often called Twitter invitations an viewers that likes to submit information, leisure, sports activities, politics, and extra. What makes it totally different from most different social networking websites is it strongly emphasizes real-time info — issues taking place and trending proper now — in simply 280 characters (140 for Japanese, Korean, and Chinese language).
Many manufacturers use Twitter as an alternate customer support channel. In line with advertisers on Twitter, greater than 80 p.c of social customer support requests occur on Twitter. And Salesforce calls Twitter the “New 1-800 Quantity for Buyer Service.”
Should you’re new to the platform, this is a have a look at how the X/Twitter algorithm works, plus easy methods to develop your following on Twitter.
11. Sina Weibo
598 million MAU
“Weibo” (微博) means “micro-blog” in Chinese language. Launched by the Chinese language know-how firm Sina Company in 2009, Sina Weibo, or just Weibo, is, a microblogging platform that compares to Twitter and Instagram.
By Weibo, customers can submit photographs, movies, and tales, see trending matters, use hashtags in posts, and use the platform for immediate messaging.
Compared to WeChat, Sina Weibo has a youthful demographic, and it provides extra informational and trending content material. Actually, The New York Instances mentioned Weibo is the place to be should you “wish to go viral” in China. Weibo additionally permits companies to arrange official and verified accounts to speak with their followers and to make use of paid promoting.
12. QQ
554 million MAU
QQ was launched in China in 1999 by Tencent. Previous to the launch of WeChat, QQ was the primary Chinese language messaging app. In addition to its prompt messaging options, QQ additionally permits customers to embellish their avatars, watch films, play on-line video games, stream music, store on-line, weblog, and make funds.
Whereas WeChat has turn into the market chief in China, QQ remains to be common with youthful social media customers. It’s additionally utilized in 80 nations and is obtainable in lots of different languages. One of many upsides of QQ is you do not want a telephone quantity to enroll. This attracts younger individuals who do not have cell units however use the desktop model.
Nonetheless, the most important viewers for QQ is within the workforce. QQ’s desktop messenger is common for its ease of use and talent to switch information higher than 25 MB, which WeChat doesn’t permit.
13. Pinterest
500 million MAU
Pinterest is a one-stop store for inspiration and discovering new merchandise and concepts. On Pinterest, customers “pin” images that hyperlink to web sites, product pages, weblog posts, and different content material throughout the web. It is an incredible platform for driving site visitors to your web site, and Pinterest’s person base are seven instances extra prone to buy merchandise they’ve pinned.
Common matters and themes on the social platform embrace vogue, magnificence, residence, backyard, and DIY. Should you’re a enterprise or creator in certainly one of these niches, it is a no brainer to share your content material on the platform.
Here is easy methods to use Pinterest should you’re simply beginning out, together with 20 methods to get followers on Pinterest should you’re simply beginning out.
14. Reddit
430 million MAU
With roughly 1.7 billion visits in April 2023, Reddit has been known as the “entrance web page of the web,” because of its mixture of present occasions, celeb “ask me something” (AMA) occasions, and in-depth discussions of area of interest matters.
There are subreddits (i.e., devoted boards) for just about something beneath the solar. Subreddits, nonetheless, have totally different ranges of engagement, so it’s nice to analysis to see if there are common subreddits your model could be a part of. For instance, if what you are promoting is a magnificence model, you could possibly be a part of r/magnificence.
Remember, although, most subreddits don’t permit self-promotion. The goal is to have interaction with members within the respective subreddits by asking and answering questions, sharing ideas and assets, and taking part in discussions.
In addition to submitting your content material to Reddit and taking part in discussions, you may also discover content material concepts and promote.
15. LinkedIn
424 million MAU
At roughly 424 million month-to-month energetic customers, LinkedIn has developed from a easy job search engine and resume website into an expert networking platform the place business consultants share content material, community, and construct their private model.
It has additionally turn into a spot for companies to ascertain thought management and entice clients and high expertise, in addition to a spot for creators to construct private manufacturers of their industries.
Here is a information to LinkedIn’s algorithm that will help you get extra followers on LinkedIn, whether or not you are a enterprise or a creator.
16. Quora
300 million MAU
Quora is a community-based Q&A web site and app the place individuals can discover info on all kinds of matters. Questions and solutions are user-ranked based mostly on views, votes, evaluations, and shares.
As a model, you’ll be able to create a Quora web page for what you are promoting or use worker advocates to reply questions on your services or products or about matters in your business. Quora additionally has an advertisements platform you should utilize to promote what you are promoting. And since 63% of customers analysis main on-line purchases, it is an incredible place to achieve clients actively searching for a services or products.
17. Discord
150 million MAU
Discord is a communication platform primarily designed for avid gamers. It permits customers to create servers, be a part of communities, voice chat, and textual content chat with others in actual time.
Discord is common because of its ease of use, customizable options, and compatibility with varied units. It has expanded past gaming communities and is now utilized by companies, academic establishments, and different teams.
18. Twitch
240 million MAU
Twitch is a live-streaming platform for avid gamers. It provides online game content material and different types of leisure. Customers can create a channel, stream their gameplay, and work together with their viewers by way of chat.
Twitch has turn into a central hub for the gaming and esports communities. It is a spot the place {many professional} gamers, groups, and tournaments use it to broadcast their matches. Twitch’s success is pushed by its community-driven strategy, permitting creators to construct a devoted following and earn cash by way of subscriptions, donations, and sponsorships.
19. Tumblr
135 million MAU
Tumblr is a well-liked microblogging social media website with 135 million month-to-month energetic customers.
Customers can share content material in numerous codecs: textual content, images, movies, GIFs, audio clips, hyperlinks, and extra. The positioning’s customers share content material on each matter, area of interest, and curiosity possible.
Tumblr additionally permits you to customise your weblog design. For that reason, many customers choose to make use of their Tumblr account as their web site.
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20. Threads
200 million MAU
Instagram’s Twitter various, Threads, hit app shops in 2023 with a record-breaking rise to 100 million sign-ups in a matter of days. Whereas curiosity within the platform initially appeared to flag, Threads has often launched new options to maintain MAUs climbing.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg believes the app has a “good likelihood” of reaching 1 billion customers within the subsequent few years.
21. Bluesky
6 million MAU
Bluesky is a decentralized, invite-only social community constructed on an open-source protocol. Whereas they’ve but to publicly share their month-to-month energetic person numbers, the platform hit 6 million month-to-month energetic customers in October 2024.
Bluesky was created by former Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey whereas he was nonetheless within the function. The platform, which additionally has an iOS and Android app, bears a hanging resemblance to Dorsey’s former product.
22. Mastodon
~1.7 million MAU
Mastodon, a brand new entrant on the social media scene, exploded in recognition in late 2022, taking it from 300,000 to over 1.7 million month-to-month energetic customers in 2023.
Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source software program that permits customers to arrange servers to speak with one another. Customers can create posts of as much as 5,000 characters, and add photographs, audio, and video.
You do not have to be in all places abruptly. So whatever the measurement of the social media website, think about whether or not your model’s target market is energetic on these platforms. It’s higher to choose two to 3 websites and do them nicely relatively than create so-so content material for 5 or extra totally different platforms.
P.S. Buffer permits you to schedule social media posts to a number of high social media websites. If you wish to handle multiple social media account throughout a number of platforms, attempt Buffer (completely free) to expertise what it will possibly do for what you are promoting.
*Except in any other case said, these numbers are from Statista’s report, ‘Hottest social networks worldwide as of October 2024’.
