Boasting 5 billion users which amounts to about 60% of the global population, social media has become an indispensable part of our daily lives. There is nothing social media can’t do, from providing a great platform for interactions to being at the front of marketing, social media has the centre of the world. From business to common people, social media can be leveraged to find new products, connect to new people and share your opinions. In this blog, we have highlighted the 10 most famous social media platforms and what they can do for your business.
Social Media Platforms Comparison Table:
|
Social Media Platform |
Monthly Active Users (MAUs) |
Key Features |
Primary Demographic |
Launch Year |
Owner |
|
|
3.07 billion |
Personal Profiles, Groups, Pages, Marketplace |
Global audience, ages 25-44 |
2004 |
Meta |
|
YouTube |
2.5 billion |
Video Sharing, Live Streaming, YouTube Ads |
Global, ages 18-49 |
2005 |
|
|
|
2 billion |
Messaging, Voice/Video Calls, End-to-End Encryption |
Global, popular in LATAM, India |
2009 |
Meta |
|
|
2 billion |
Photos/Videos, Stories, Reels, Shopping |
Younger users, ages 18-34 |
2010 |
Meta |
|
TikTok |
1.6 billion |
Short-form Video, Personalized Content Feed |
Gen Z, ages 10-29 |
2016 |
ByteDance |
|
Twitter (X) |
611 million |
Tweets (real-time updates), Threads, Spaces |
Global, ages 25-34 |
2006 |
X Corp (formerly Twitter) |
|
Snapchat |
850 million |
AR Filters, Lenses, Disappearing messages |
Teens/Young Adults, ages 13-24 |
2011 |
Snap Inc. |
|
|
522 million |
Idea Discovery, Visual Bookmarks, Pinterest Ads |
Predominantly women, ages 18-49 |
2010 |
Pinterest Inc. |
|
|
350 million |
Professional Networking, Job Search, LinkedIn Ads |
Professionals, ages 25-54 |
2003 |
Microsoft |
|
|
500 million |
User-generated content, Subreddits, Anonymous discussions |
Niche communities, ages 18-34 |
2005 |
Reddit Inc. |
1. Facebook
Facebook has 3.07 billion monthly active users and still sits in the first spot. What initially started as a social networking site for college students by Mark Zuckerberg gradually became a platform for business. Users could only create profiles and connect with their friends when it started, now there are a lot of other features like news feeds, pages, groups etc. With these features, Facebook has become an important part of the e-commerce space with over 69% of U.S. adults using Facebook and more than 90% of businesses having a Facebook page.
2. Youtube
With over 2.5 billion monthly users, YouTube stands in second place among the most popular social media platforms. YouTube was launched in 2005 by Google, it acts as a video-sharing platform but has the ability to stretch beyond entertainment. Other than an entertainment hub, YouTube is also an educational hub, a marketing tool as well as helps creators earn. There is an exciting feature called reverse video search, which enables users to discover content more easily. As much as 81% of U.S. adults think it is a platform to promote their brands.
3. WhatsApp
WhatsApp begs the third spot for top social media apps with over 2 billion active users. This accounts for a 34% increase from 2021. This messaging app was acquired by Meta ( previously Facebook) in 2014 and serves as a seamless and secure platform for messaging, voice calls, media sharing, and video calls. With end-to-end encryption, WhatsApp ensures that as many as 100 billion messages are sent securely daily.
4. Instagram
The fourth number is Instagram, which has evolved from a simple photo-sharing app to a multifaceted app. With almost 2 billion active users, Instagram has features like stories, reels, and shopping, which has put it at the forefront for influencers and businesses. The visual patterns of this site make it especially appealing to the younger generation compared to other social media sites.
5. TikTok
TikTok has redefined the spread of short-form video content and has successfully reached 1.6 billion active users. Launched in 2016 by ByteDance, TikTok is built to provide personalised content putting it on the fifth number of the top social media apps. The app is increasingly popular among the younger generation with 62% of U S users being those aged between 10-29.
6. X (Twitter)
X, previously known as Twitter has been a crucial platform for public discourse and still stands with 611 million monthly active users. This app excels in providing quick conversation around political news and entertainment. X allows sharing only 280 characters in a tweet which allows for rapid engagement.
7. Pinterest
Pinterest with over 522 monthly active users, is a social media platform used as a bookmarking tool. This platform is like a pinboard, users can create boards and then save a pin or post that they love on these boards. Pinterest not only helps consumers to get ideas and creative exploration, but it also helps businesses to spread product awareness through “ Pinterest Ads.”
8. Snapchat
Snapchat which was launched in 2011 is a platform through which can share messages that disappear after being viewed. This app features special effects, lenses, and AR effects through which it has acquired 850 million monthly active listeners. Snapchat also helps businesses through short-form content to support their goals.
9. LinkedIn
Started in 2003, LinkedIn has over 350 monthly active users. It is the largest professional networking platform that acts as a career development hub and allows professionals to explore job opportunities as well as connect with professionals. Businesses can also use LinkedIn to hire talented individuals, build brand image, and market B2B services.
10. Reddit
Reddit is also called the front page of the internet and has over 500 million monthly active users. This social media platform allows users to engage in discussions across a vast array of communities called subreddits. Users can engage in candid conversation while being anonymous. Reddit ranks as the sixth most visited website in the U.S. with over 100,000 active subreddits.
Factors To Consider For Choosing a Social Media Platform
When using social media platforms as a part of promotion, you may be confused about what social media platform to consider. You can consider the following factors:
- Audience
The first step to having a successful business is understanding the needs of your targeted group of people. If you are looking to cater to a wider audience, Facebook and YouTube can be a better choice, and if you want to cater to a younger audience, Instagram and Snapchat can be good options.
- Content:
The content you create can become a representation of your brand. If you want to showcase your products, Pinterest or Instagram can be an ideal option or if you want to create long-form content and videos, YouTube can be a great option.
- Engagement:
If you want to foster engagement through comments, likes as well as shares, Instagram or Facebook can be a great option. Or planning to do viral marketing then TikTok can be a great option.
- Advertising:
If paid promotions are part of your social media marketing strategy, Facebook or LinkedIn can be a great option.
- Goals:
If spreading brand awareness is your goal then YouTube and Instagram can be a great option. But if you are considering lead generation and networking then Linkedin can be a great option.
Conclusion
Social media platforms can be great for entertainment, and income and a reliable platform to spread brand awareness and do promotions. Picking a platform that fits your business goals and getting to know more about the platforms in a better way can help you make informed decisions and invest time in the right place. These top ten social media platforms will help you get the necessary reach and engagement to thrive in this digital world no matter who you are.
