In 2022, there were around **** billion social media users in China. Despite Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter being blocked in the country, local social networking sites such as WeChat and Weibo have been attracting millions of users, making China the world’s biggest social media market.

What is the role of social media in China? Around ** percent of the Chinese population use internet. Social networking plays a huge role among netizens, especially the younger generation. Chinese social media, just like Western equivalents, not only serves as a way to communicate online, but also as one of the main sources of news and entertainment, e-payments, shopping advisors, and dating channels. In 2021, over ** percent of surveyed social media users said they mostly appreciated that social networks help them to keep in touch with friends and family, but also share their life moments and thoughts.

What are the most popular social media platforms?

WeChat (Weixin in Chinese) is by far the most commonly seen social app in the country, used for anything from texting/calling to photo and video sharing, dating, financial services, game-playing, shopping, ride hailing, and so on. However, Chinese social media scene is quite diverse and dynamic, therefore, it is not just about WeChat. Instant messaging app Tencent QQ, microblogging site Weibo, video sharing app Youku Tudou, short-form video app Douyin (aka TikTok), photo editing and sharing app Meitu, restaurant recommendation and food ordering platform Meituan, Quora equivalent Zhihu, and dating app Momo are just a few among the most popular Chinese social media examples.

In 2022, there were around 1.02 billion social media users in China. Despite Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter being blocked in the country, local social networking sites such as WeChat and Weibo have been attracting millions of users, making China the world’s biggest social media market.

What is the role of social media in China? Around 74 percent of the Chinese population use internet. Social networking plays a huge role among netizens, especially the younger generation. Chinese social media, just like Western equivalents, not only serves as a way to communicate online, but also as one of the main sources of news and entertainment, e-payments, shopping advisors, and dating channels. In 2021, over 40 percent of surveyed social media users said they mostly appreciated that social networks help them to keep in touch with friends and family, but also share their life moments and thoughts.

What are the most popular social media platforms?

WeChat (Weixin in Chinese) is by far the most commonly seen social app in the country, used for anything from texting/calling to photo and video sharing, dating, financial services, game-playing, shopping, ride hailing, and so on. However, Chinese social media scene is quite diverse and dynamic, therefore, it is not just about WeChat. Instant messaging app Tencent QQ, microblogging site Weibo, video sharing app Youku Tudou, short-form video app Douyin (aka TikTok), photo editing and sharing app Meitu, restaurant recommendation and food ordering platform Meituan, Quora equivalent Zhihu, and dating app Momo are just a few among the most popular Chinese social media examples.

According to a survey on digital usage in China, around 91.8 percent of respondents had used WeChat as of the third quarter of 2023. The short video app Douyin, the social commerce site Xiaohongshu, and the Twitter-like site Weibo, were among the most popular social media platforms in China. How successful is WeChat in China? The country’s most popular messaging app, WeChat, boasts over one billion monthly active users. For many Chinese consumers, WeChat is part of daily life, helping them to organize tasks such as paying bills, ordering food delivery, and calling a taxi. On average, WeChat users spent about an hour and 20 minutes per day on the app. Large user base with high engagement The social media scene in China is huge and mobile-centric. In 2023, the social media penetration rate amounted to 74 percent in China, slightly higher than in countries like the United States and Japan. While the user number has shown signs of reaching a saturation point, Chinese consumers have been spending more time online, with a considerable daily usage of social media.

The China social media market was valued at USD 68.16 Billion in 2024. The industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.40% during the forecast period of 2025-2034. The market growth is supported by an increased user engagement with online networks. This vast engagement is triggered by the wide application of enhanced network infrastructure, including 5G technology for seamless streaming of videos and live online broadcasting and interactive content. Advertising, e-commerce, and customer interaction are being increasingly applied on the platforms, and these platforms have transformed the way brands connect with their target customers. In turn, all these factors have resulted in the market attaining a valuation of USD 261.69 Billion by 2034.

According to a survey on digital usage in China, around 91.8 percent of respondents had used WeChat as of the third quarter of 2023. The short video app Douyin, the social commerce site Xiaohongshu, and the Twitter-like site Weibo, were among the most popular social media platforms in China. How successful is WeChat in China? The country’s most popular messaging app, WeChat, boasts over one billion monthly active users. For many Chinese consumers, WeChat is part of daily life, helping them to organize tasks such as paying bills, ordering food delivery, and calling a taxi. On average, WeChat users spent about an hour and 20 minutes per day on the app. Large user base with high engagement The social media scene in China is huge and mobile-centric. In 2023, the social media penetration rate amounted to 74 percent in China, slightly higher than in countries like the United States and Japan. While the user number has shown signs of reaching a saturation point, Chinese consumers have been spending more time online, with a considerable daily usage of social media.

Internet users in China were more interested in social media ads with product deals or personalized content, as confirmed by over 46 percent of respondents in a survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in China in June 2025. On the contrary, almost one in five respondents did not want to see sponsored advertisements on social media platforms.

Internet users in China were more interested in social media ads with product deals or personalized content, as confirmed by over 43 percent of respondents in a survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in China in July 2023. On the contrary, one in five respondents did not want to see sponsored advertisements on social media platforms.

In 2025, the social media ad revenue in China was expected to reach 137 billion yuan, up from 125 billion yuan in the previous year. Chinese consumers have shown more acceptance of online ads and, in general, not against the purchase recommendations on social media platforms.

In 2025, the social media advertising sector in China was anticipated to increase by around 9.5 percent compared to the previous year. WeChat, Douyin, and Weibo are currently the largest social media platforms in the country.

Market Size statistics on the Social Networking industry in China

A 2023 survey conducted by Rakuten Insight revealed that advertisements on social media platforms had a significant impact on purchase decisions in China. Only four percent of respondents had not purchased an item after seeing social media ads.

The impact of advertisements is positively correlated to the trustworthiness of the brand. According to a 2023 survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in China, about 77 percent of respondents voted ads developed by trusted brands as the most impactful ad type on social media platforms. On the contrary, text ads were considered to have the least impact.

Internet Usage: Social Media Market Share: All Platforms: Mixi data was reported at 0.000 % in 25 May 2024. This stayed constant from the previous number of 0.000 % for 24 May 2024. Internet Usage: Social Media Market Share: All Platforms: Mixi data is updated daily, averaging 0.000 % from May 2024 (Median) to 25 May 2024, with 8 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.060 % in 22 May 2024 and a record low of 0.000 % in 25 May 2024. Internet Usage: Social Media Market Share: All Platforms: Mixi data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Statcounter Global Stats. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Hong Kong SAR (China) – Table HK.SC.IU: Internet Usage: Social Media Market Share.

The impact of advertisements is positively correlated to the trustworthiness of the brand. According to a 2025 survey conducted by Rakuten Insight in China, about 74 percent of respondents voted ads developed by trusted brands as the most impactful ad type on social media platforms. On the contrary, text ads were considered to have the least impact.

According to a 2024 survey on the digital usage among Chinese internet users, about 39 percent of respondents reported to follow the social media accounts of their friends, family, and other acquaintances. Tencent's WeChat and ByteDance's Douyin were the most beloved social media platforms in the survey.

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Social Networking Market Size 2025-2029

The social networking market size is forecast to increase by USD 312.3 billion, at a CAGR of 21.6% between 2024 and 2029.

Major Market Trends & Insights

North America dominated the market and accounted for a 41% growth during the forecast period.
By the Type - Advertising segment was valued at USD 80.70 billion in 2023
By the Distribution Channel - Google segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 318.56 billion
Market Future Opportunities: USD 312.30 billion 
CAGR : 21.6%
North America: Largest market in 2023

Market Summary

The market continues to expand its reach and influence across various industries, with businesses recognizing its potential for customer engagement and brand awareness. According to recent studies, there are approximately 4.66 billion active social media users worldwide, representing a 13% increase from 2020. This growth is driven by the increased internet penetration and the popularity of social media platforms for personal and professional use. Social media advertisements have become a significant revenue source, with businesses investing heavily in targeted campaigns to reach their audiences.
However, privacy concerns remain a challenge, with users increasingly cautious about sharing personal information online. Despite this, the market's continuous evolution and the emergence of new trends, such as live streaming and virtual events, ensure its ongoing relevance and importance for businesses.

What will be the Size of the Social Networking Market during the forecast period?

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The market exhibits consistent growth, with current usage accounting for approximately 3.6 billion users worldwide, representing a significant 4.5% increase year-over-year. Looking ahead, industry experts anticipate a continued expansion, with projections indicating a 5.2% annual growth rate. Notably, mobile devices account for over 90% of social media usage, underscoring the importance of optimizing platforms for this medium. Furthermore, businesses increasingly leverage social networking for marketing purposes, with advertising revenue reaching an estimated USD 84.3 billion in 2021. In comparison, the time spent on social media platforms per day has risen by 45 minutes since 2019, highlighting the growing influence of these channels on consumer behavior.
This trend is further accentuated by the integration of advanced features, such as live streaming, video content, and AI-driven recommendations, which enhance user engagement and monetization opportunities.

How is this Social Networking Industry segmented?

The social networking industry research report provides comprehensive data (region-wise segment analysis), with forecasts and estimates in 'USD billion' for the period 2025-2029, as well as historical data from 2019-2023 for the following segments.

Type

  Advertising
  In-app purchase
  Paid apps


Distribution Channel

  Google
  Apple
  App Store Distribution


Service

  Communication
  Entertainment
  Socialization
  Marketing
  Customer service


Platform

  Website-based
  Mobile apps
  Hybrid platforms


Geography

  North America

    US
    Canada


  Europe

    France
    Germany
    Italy
    Spain
    UK


  Middle East and Africa

    UAE


  APAC

    China
    India
    Japan
    South Korea


  South America

    Brazil


  Rest of World (ROW)

By Type Insights

The advertising segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period.

In the dynamic and evolving landscape of digital communication, the market continues to expand, driven by innovative technologies and user engagement. According to recent data, social networking platforms accounted for approximately 30% of the total time spent online in 2021, reflecting a significant 15% increase from the previous year. Furthermore, industry experts anticipate that social media usage will continue to grow, with an estimated 25% of the global population expected to use social media by 2025. Content moderation systems play a crucial role in ensuring a safe and inclusive online environment. These systems employ advanced techniques, such as natural language processing, conversational AI, and machine learning models, to filter out inappropriate content and maintain platform governance.

User engagement metrics, including time spent on platforms, user-generated content, and social interaction dynamics, are closely monitored to optimize user experience and foster community building strategies. Platform scalability and network security protocols are essential for accommodating the increasing user base and data privacy regulations. Spam filtering techniques and link pred

Chinese mobile internet users spent, on average, more than 46 hours on the short video app Douyin in December 2024. Its local short video underdog Kuaishou reported to capture almost 30 hours of average monthly time spent per user.

A 2024 survey in China on social media usage revealed that content was the key in driving user engagement. Over half of surveyed users of WeChat, Douyin, and Xiaohongshu indicated favorable content diversity, format, and themes as the main reasons to increase social media platform use.

In 2025, the social media ad revenue in China was expected to reach *** billion yuan, up from *** billion yuan in the previous year. Chinese consumers have shown more acceptance of online ads and, in general, not against the purchase recommendations on social media platforms.

According to a survey on social marketing in China conducted in late 2024, seven in ten surveyed advertisers reported that KOL (key opinion leaders) promotion would be the main focus of their company's social marketing strategy in the coming year. Brand-operated live streaming and KOC (key opinion consumers) and KOS (key opinion sales) marketing followed.