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.

Despite a tumultuous 2018, Facebook is still the top social network in the United States, with 169.76 million mobile users accessing the Facebook app in September 2019. The company’s other properties Instagram and Facebook Messenger ranked second and third with 121 and 106 million users respectively. Cambridge Analytica scandal 2018 The biggest social media company in the world had a difficult 2018. The platform has long been accused of enabling the spread of fake news during the 2016 election and beyond. One of the first and biggest negative Facebook stories of 2018 was the Cambridge Analytica scandal, which unfolded from March 2018. The Guardian, The Observer, and The New York Times simultaneously reported on political data firm Cambridge Analytica harvesting data of millions of Facebook users worldwide without their knowledge before the 2016 election, which led to Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg having to testify before Congress in April 2018. Facebook usage behavior changes Due to the revelations about Facebook and the company’s treatment of private user data, many U.S. users are planning to use the social network much less and to be much more careful about what they post . During an April 2018 survey, only 20 percent of respondents stated that their Facebook usage has not changed, and they were planning on continuing to use the social platform as much as they always had in the past.

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.

******** was the social network with the largest market share in Denmark as of March 2025, amounting to over ** percent. Overall, Pinterest and Instagram accounted for **** percent and **** percent of the market share, respectively. X/Twitter amassed **** percent of the social media market share in Denmark in March 2024. How old are most social media users? According to a survey of social media users, the majority of respondents were of ages between ** and **. Around ** percent of respondents in this age group used social networks in 2020. Furthermore, those aged between 60 and 74 used online platforms the least, as only ** percent of respondents in this age group reported engaging with social networks. The Nordics and social media The number of social media users was the highest in Sweden, among the other Nordic countries. Over *** million Swedish respondents were using social media in 2021. Denmark had over *** million social media users, while Norway and Finland had **** and **** million users, respectively.

As of the third quarter of 2024, WhatsApp was the most active social network among internet users in the United Kingdom (UK), with 79.9 percent of internet users reporting use of the service. Facebook was very close behind, with a rate of 72.3 percent, followed by Facebook Messenger with 56.6 percent. YouTube’s broad audience in the United Kingdom YouTube reaches a broad audience in the UK, making it an attractive partner for advertisers of almost any product. More than 75 percent of individuals of every income bracket watch YouTube, with the likelihood of watching increasing with the pay-grade. Whether advertising basic items or luxury products, marketers should be able to connect with UK audiences through YouTube. There are almost no people in the UK to not use YouTube at least monthly. According to a survey conducted in the third quarter of 2020, 46 percent of respondents went on YouTube on a daily basis. Facebook in the United Kingdom  Facebook enjoys a healthy market position in the UK, holding an estimated  55 percent share of the market. The service attracted  50.6 million UK users during May 2021, and Facebook UK Limited  generated 1.1 billion British pounds in revenue  during 2019. The UK division of the company  posted an operating profit of 121.9 million British pounds that year. 

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

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.

In 2024, 31 percent of respondents to a survey in the United States said that they used Facebook for news. Facebook remains the leading social media network for news consumption among U.S. consumers. In second place was YouTube, with 29 percent, marking a jump from the previous year.

Global ad spend were expected to reach over $134 billion in 2022. This means that it has increased by over 17% yearly.

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

When it comes to the most well-known social networks in the United States, YouTube and Facebook are leading the pack with a brand awareness of 96 and 95 percent respectively, among internet users. For this study, brand awareness was surveyed employing the concept of aided brand recognition, showing respondents both the brand's logo and the written brand name.

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

59% of adults in the united states are using Instagram daily.

Social Network Market Outlook

The social network market size is projected to grow from $200 billion in 2023 to $500 billion by 2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 10.8%. One of the primary growth factors for this market is the increasing global internet penetration coupled with the proliferation of smartphones, which is making social networking platforms more accessible to a broader audience.

The burgeoning connectivity among individuals and businesses is playing a pivotal role in propelling the social network market. With the increasing availability of affordable internet services, more people are joining social networks, thus boosting user engagement and content sharing on these platforms. Additionally, the rise of digital marketing and advertising strategies is pushing businesses to leverage social media platforms for targeted marketing efforts, which is further contributing to market expansion.

Another significant growth factor is the integration of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) into social networking platforms. These technologies enable personalized content delivery, enhanced user engagement, and improved user experience by analyzing user behavior. Furthermore, AI-driven analytics and insights are becoming essential tools for businesses to understand market trends and consumer preferences, thereby driving the demand for advanced social networking solutions.

The increasing popularity of video content and live streaming is also significantly contributing to the market growth. Platforms that offer live streaming capabilities are witnessing higher user engagement rates. Additionally, the shift towards visual-based content such as images, videos, and stories is helping platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to gain tremendous popularity. This trend is expected to continue, driving further growth in the social network market.

The rise of Enterprise Social Networks and Online Communities is another trend shaping the social network market. These platforms are designed to facilitate communication and collaboration within organizations, allowing employees to share information, ideas, and resources more efficiently. By fostering a sense of community and encouraging open dialogue, enterprise social networks enhance employee engagement and productivity. They also serve as a valuable tool for knowledge management, enabling organizations to capture and disseminate institutional knowledge effectively. As businesses continue to embrace digital transformation, the demand for enterprise social networks is expected to grow, providing new opportunities for innovation and growth in the social network market.

From a regional perspective, North America is expected to maintain its dominance in the social network market due to the high internet penetration, widespread adoption of smartphones, and the presence of major social networking companies. However, regions like Asia Pacific are anticipated to exhibit the highest growth rates due to the large population base, rapidly growing internet user base, and increasing adoption of social media platforms in countries like India and China.

Component Analysis

The social network market can be segmented by component into software and services. The software segment comprises social networking platforms, applications, and tools that enable users to interact, share content, and communicate. This segment is likely to dominate the market due to the continuous launch of new features and updates aimed at enhancing user experience. The integration of AI and ML technologies is further augmenting the capabilities of social networking software, making it more intuitive and user-friendly.

On the other hand, the services segment includes consulting, deployment, integration, and maintenance services. These services are crucial for ensuring the smooth operation and optimization of social networking platforms. The demand for these services is expected to grow as businesses increasingly seek expert assistance to implement and manage their social media strategies effectively. The rise of social media marketing has also led to a surge in demand for specialized consulting services to help businesses maximize their return on investment (ROI) from social network campaigns.

The software component is further subdivided into mobile appli

As of February 2021, YouTube had a global penetration rate of 62 percent, followed closely by Meta's Facebook, with 61 percent. Overall, instant messaging service WhatsApp had a global penetration rate of 52 percent. Additionally, 12 percent of people used TikTok, and one in ten people around the world use messaging service Telegram.

There are over 875 million registered users on LinkedIn in 2024.

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 vast majority of TikTok users are below 30 years old. Approximately 37 million Gen-Zers used TikTok in the US.

The average Snapchat user spends just 3 hours per month on the app.

In March 2025, Meta's Facebook held over 80 percent of the social media market in Europe, whilst Instagram accounted for 7.09 percent of website visits in Europe. Pinterest made up 4.49 percent of website visits, and X (formerly Twitter) accounted for 4.22 percent.