Market leader Facebook was the first social network to surpass one billion registered accounts and currently sits at more than three billion monthly active users. Meta Platforms owns four of the biggest social media platforms, all with more than one billion monthly active users each: Facebook (core platform), WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram. In the third quarter of 2023, Facebook reported around four billion monthly core Family product users. The United States and China account for the most high-profile social platforms Most top ranked social networks with more than 100 million users originated in the United States, but services like Chinese social networks WeChat, QQ or video sharing app Douyin have also garnered mainstream appeal in their respective regions due to local context and content. Douyin’s popularity has led to the platform releasing an international version of its network: a little app called TikTok. How many people use social media? The leading social networks are usually available in multiple languages and enable users to connect with friends or people across geographical, political, or economic borders. In 2025, social networking sites are estimated to reach 5.42 billion users and these figures are still expected to grow as mobile device usage and mobile social networks increasingly gain traction in previously underserved markets.

Social media platforms are integral to people's lives, offering ways to communicate, create and view content and share information. According to Ofcom, approximately 89% of UK internet users in 2023 used social media apps or sites. Teenagers and young adults are the biggest users, although there is rapid uptake among older age groups. Advertising is the primary revenue source for social media platforms, although subscription-based services are gaining momentum as platforms seek to diversify their incomes. TikTok is the success story of the last few years, becoming the most downloaded app between 2020 and 2022, according to Apptopia. The short-form video platform reported that it averaged revenue growth of over 450% between 2019 and 2022. After Musk's takeover, X, formerly known as Twitter, adjusted its content moderation and allowed previously banned accounts to return. As a result, over 600 advertisers have pulled their ads from the site because of fears their brand may be associated with malcontent. In response to falling ad revenue, X has introduced a subscription-based service which enables users to verify themselves and boosts the number of people who view their tweets. Meta-owned Facebook and Instagram have responded by introducing a similar service. Revenue is expected to grow by 14.3% in 2024-25, constrained by a slowdown in user growth for most major social media platforms. Over the five years through 2024-25, revenue is forecast to expand at a compound annual rate of 32.8% to reach £9.8 billion. Looking forward, regulations relating to how data is collected, stored, and shared will force advertisers and platforms to rethink how they can target their desired demographics. The rising prominence of AI will require the introduction of adequate regulations. The Online Safety Bill sets out new guidelines for social media platforms to abide by, with hefty fines in store for those who do not. Operating costs will swell as platforms look to meet consumers’ expectations, weighing on profit. Over the five years through 2029-30, social media platforms' revenue is projected to climb at an estimated 9.4% to reach £15.4 billion.

During a 2025 survey among marketers worldwide, approximately ** percent said Facebook was the most important social media platform. LinkedIn and Instagram followed, respectively mentioned by ** and ** percent of respondents. Why marketers use social media as a branding channel According to the same study, the leading benefits of social media marketing were increased exposure and traffic. In other words, mastering a brand's presence on such platforms can make a company's products and services known across multiple demographics as well as generate traffic for its online sales. Marketers' favorite social media platforms The survey also revealed that business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) marketers' top social media can vary. While B2C professionals bet on Facebook and its still massive usage rate, B2B strategists focus on LinkedIn, where companies can see and be seen. However, the social media video platforms in which marketers wanted to invest more were YouTube and Instagram.

During a 2025 survey among marketers worldwide, around 83 percent reported using Facebook for marketing purposes. Instagram and LinkedIn followed, respectively mentioned by 78 and 69 percent of the respondents. The global social media marketing segment According to the same study, 60 percent of responding marketers intended to increase their organic use of YouTube for marketing purposes throughout that year. LinkedIn and Instagram followed with similar shares, rounding up the top three social media platforms attracting a planned growth in organic use among global marketers in 2025. Their main driver is increasing brand exposure and traffic, which led the ranking of benefits of social media marketing worldwide. Social media for B2B marketing Social media platform adoption rates among business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-business (B2B) marketers vary according to each subsegment's focus. While B2C professionals prioritize Facebook and Instagram, both run by Meta, Inc., due to their popularity among online audiences, B2B marketers concentrate their endeavors on Microsoft-owned LinkedIn due to its goal to connect people and companies in a corporate context.

In the United States, the revenue per social media platform is forecast to increase significantly in all social commerce sites. This reflects the overall trend throughout the entire forecast period from 2018 to 2029. In this regard, Facebook is estimated to achieve the highest value of **** billion U.S. dollars in 2029.

Metaverse Social Media Platforms Market Outlook

The global metaverse social media platforms market size was valued at approximately $69.9 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to a massive $1,527.4 billion by 2032, reflecting a staggering CAGR of 41.9% over the forecast period. The remarkable growth of this market is primarily driven by the increasing adoption of advanced technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR), coupled with the rising demand for immersive social experiences. The continued technological advancements in these areas, along with the proliferation of high-speed internet and growing investments by leading tech companies, are expected to further fuel market expansion over the coming years.

One of the key growth factors of the metaverse social media platforms market is the technological advancements that have led to the development of more sophisticated and accessible VR and AR devices. These technologies have significantly improved user experiences by providing immersive and interactive environments that replicate real-world social interactions. Companies are heavily investing in R&D to innovate and launch new products and services that cater to the ever-evolving needs of consumers. This has created a fertile ground for the adoption of metaverse platforms, especially among the tech-savvy younger generation.

Another critical factor propelling the market's growth is the increasing consumer inclination towards digital and virtual spaces due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has accelerated the shift towards remote interactions, with people seeking alternative ways to socialize, work, and entertain themselves. As a result, there has been a substantial rise in the adoption of metaverse social media platforms, which offer unique and engaging ways to connect with others virtually. This trend is expected to continue post-pandemic, as people have grown accustomed to the convenience and novelty of virtual interactions.

Furthermore, the growing popularity of virtual events and online gaming is significantly contributing to the market's expansion. Metaverse platforms are increasingly being used to host virtual concerts, conferences, and other events, providing users with novel and immersive experiences. The gaming industry, in particular, has been quick to adopt metaverse technologies, with numerous game developers integrating social features into their games to enhance user engagement and retention. This convergence of gaming and social media is creating a vibrant ecosystem that is poised for substantial growth.

From a regional perspective, North America currently holds the largest share of the metaverse social media platforms market, driven by the presence of major tech giants and high consumer adoption rates. However, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period, owing to the rapid technological advancements, increasing internet penetration, and growing investments in the region. Europe and Latin America are also anticipated to experience steady growth, supported by the rising demand for innovative social media platforms and growing consumer awareness.

The Metaverse In Entertainment is revolutionizing how audiences engage with content, offering immersive experiences that transcend traditional media boundaries. As entertainment companies explore the metaverse, they are creating virtual worlds where users can interact with their favorite shows, movies, and music in unprecedented ways. This new frontier allows for personalized experiences, where fans can become part of the story, attend virtual concerts, or explore digital theme parks. The integration of entertainment into the metaverse is not only enhancing user engagement but also opening up new revenue streams through virtual merchandise and exclusive content offerings. As the technology continues to evolve, the potential for storytelling and audience interaction in the metaverse is limitless, promising a future where entertainment is more interactive and immersive than ever before.

Platform Type Analysis

The metaverse social media platforms market can be segmented by platform type into Virtual Reality (VR) Platforms, Augmented Reality (AR) Platforms, and Mixed Reality (MR) Platforms. VR platforms have been increasingly adopted for their ability t

I’ve compiled a list of the latest social media user statistics showing just how big social media has become and where it’s likely to go in the future.

As of January 2023, Instagram and Facebook were considered the most effective social media platforms for building active communities - each platform was chosen by ** percent of social media marketers surveyed worldwide. YouTube followed, with ** percent of respondents considering it effective to build an online community.

Social Media Platforms Market Outlook

The global social media platforms market size was valued at approximately USD 180 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach around USD 400 billion by 2032, exhibiting a robust CAGR of 9.1% over the forecast period. This impressive growth is primarily driven by the increasing penetration of smartphones, the expansion of internet connectivity, and the rising demand for digital advertising.

Several key factors are driving the growth of the social media platforms market. First and foremost, the increasing availability and affordability of smartphones and internet services globally have significantly expanded the user base of social media platforms. With the proliferation of affordable smartphones and widespread network coverage, even users in developing regions are now able to access social media, contributing to the market's expansion. Furthermore, mobile internet speeds have improved significantly, enabling richer media experiences on social platforms, which in turn attract more users and advertisers.

Another critical growth factor is the rising importance of digital marketing and advertising. Businesses of all sizes are leveraging social media platforms to reach their target audiences more effectively and efficiently. Given the advanced targeting capabilities and analytics offered by these platforms, advertisers can optimize their campaigns for better performance, thus funneling a significant portion of their advertising budgets to social media. Additionally, the integration of e-commerce features within social media platforms has created new revenue streams and engagement opportunities, further propelling market growth.

Content creation and user engagement are also key drivers in the social media platforms market. User-generated content (UGC) plays a vital role in keeping platforms vibrant and engaging. Social media platforms provide various tools and features, such as live streaming, stories, and reels, which encourage users to create and share content. This not only enhances user engagement but also attracts more users to join the platforms. Influencer marketing is another growing trend, where influencers with large followings collaborate with brands to promote products and services, thereby driving sales and brand awareness.

From a regional perspective, North America and Asia Pacific are the dominant players in the social media platforms market. North America, with mature markets in the U.S. and Canada, has a high penetration rate of social media usage and significant digital advertising expenditure. Conversely, the Asia Pacific region is witnessing rapid growth due to its large population, increasing internet penetration, and the rising popularity of regional social media platforms. Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa also present substantial growth opportunities due to expanding internet access and increasing smartphone adoption.

Platform Type Analysis

The social media platforms market can be segmented by platform type into social networking, media sharing, blogging & microblogging, discussion forums, and others. Social networking platforms, such as Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter, are among the most popular and widely used types. These platforms enable users to create profiles, connect with friends and colleagues, and share various forms of content. Social networking platforms are particularly popular due to their diverse feature sets, including messaging, multimedia sharing, and online communities, which cater to a broad range of user needs.

Media sharing platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok focus primarily on the sharing of videos and images. These platforms have gained massive popularity, especially among younger demographics, due to their focus on visual content and ease of use. The rise of short-form video content has been a significant trend, with platforms like TikTok leading the way. Media sharing platforms attract a large number of content creators and influencers, who generate engaging content that drives user engagement and retention.

Blogging and microblogging platforms, such as WordPress and Tumblr, provide users with a space to share their thoughts, ideas, and opinions through longer-form text content. Microblogging platforms like Twitter allow for shorter, more frequent updates, which can be particularly effective for real-time communication and news

Facebook and YouTube are still the most used social media platforms today.

Social Media has become a part of our day-to-day routine, keeping users from across the world well-connected through digital platforms. With each passing year, social media is evolving at a rapid speed. With each passing year, the number of social media users is increasing at an immersive speed. Reports also suggest the number of social media users will reach a milestone of 5.85 billion in 2027.

In 2024, 62.6% of the world’s population will access social media, which clearly indicates the dominance of social media platforms in today’s world. In this article, we will examine social media statistics for 2024, uncovering monthly active users, daily time spent by users, most downloaded social media apps, etc.

These are the key social media statistics that you need to know.

How does Truth Social compare to other social media platforms? There are around 2 million active Truth Social users.

Which countries spent the most and least time on social media?

In March 2025, ******** accounted for ** percent of all social media site visits in the United States, confirming its position as the leading social media website by far. Other social media platforms, despite their popularity, had to make do with smaller shares of visits across desktop, mobile, and tablet devices combined. ********* ranked second with ***** percent of all U.S. social media site visits, while X (previously Twitter) accounted for ***** percent of the total visits in the country. Additionally, the U.S. is home to the third largest social media audience worldwide. Facebook: mobile vs desktop usage At the beginning of 2022, around ** percent of Facebook users across the globe were using the platform’s social networking services exclusively via mobile phone, while only *** percent reported using their desktop or laptop devices. In September 2022, three Facebook Inc. products occupied some of the leading positions as most downloaded social networking apps on the Apple App Store in the United States. WhatsApp’s messaging platform ranked second with more than *** million downloads, while Facebook and the instant-messaging service Messenger followed ranking third and fifth with *** million and **** million downloads respectively. Social media evolution Between 2012 and 2024, the daily time spent on social networks worldwide experienced an almost constant increase, with users reaching an average of *** minutes per day in 2023, with a decrease to *** daily minutes of engagement in 2024. However, users’ favorite platforms have changed since 2019, and the power balance appears to be shifting further from Facebook’s market dominance. Not only Facebook’s user growth rate is estimated to slow down in the next years, but users belonging to Generation Z appear to prefer video-first social platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube.

The results of which gender uses which platforms are in.

Global Social Media market size is expected to reach $341.7 billion by 2029 at 13.2%, segmented as by type, social media advertisement, social media subscription

Social media addiction statistics show that over 210 million people worldwide suffer from social media addiction.

The results might surprise you when looking at internet users that are active on social media in each country.

According to a survey released in May 2023, B2B marketers considered Facebook the social media channel with the highest return on investment (ROI). The platform was mentioned by ** percent of respondents. Instagram, TikTok and YouTube tied in second, each cited by ** percent of the respondents.