As of February 2025, two billion users were accessing the WhatsApp messenger on a monthly basis. The app’s reach in usage penetration is particularly strong in markets outside the United States, and it is one of the most popular mobile social apps worldwide. WeChat amassed over 1.38 billion users, and Facebook Messenger amassed around 947 million users worldwide. Instant messaging is a type of online chat which offers real-time text transmission via internet. Since the appearance of the smartphone and the subsequent explosion of mobile apps, low-cost or free chat and social messaging apps have proven themselves as a cheap alternative to operator-based text messaging via SMS. Many messenger apps offer features such as group chats, the exchange of graphics, video and even audio messages as well as stickers or emoticons.

In April 2021, the Telegram app counted 26 million installs worldwide, down from the 32 million installs registered the month before. In January 2021, downloads of the popular instant messaging and video call app skyrocketed, up by more than 120 percent compared to the previous month. Messaging platforms like Telegram and Signal have received increasingly more attention in 2021, with users looking for an alternative to market leader WhatsApp. In 2021, Facebook-owned WhatsApp announced it was rolling out a new privacy policy update, which highlighted the data-sharing practices of the messaging app with its parent company and prompted users to look for alternatives.

This dataset tracks the updates made on the dataset "FFS PED Web App Quick Reference Guide" as a repository for previous versions of the data and metadata.

According to a survey conducted among internet users in Vietnam by Decision Lab, as of the third quarter of 2024, around 94 percent of respondents stated that they used Facebook, followed by Zalo, and YouTube. While Facebook and YouTube are known globally, Zalo is Vietnam’s premier chatting platform, which was first introduced to the population in 2012. Social media usage in Vietnam The number of social network users in Vietnam is forecasted to reach nearly 83 million by 2028. While Facebook remains the most popular app to get news, Zalo was primarily used to connect with friends and family, according to a survey conducted among Vietnamese internet users in the third quarter of 2024. In addition to providing entertaining videos, YouTube also offers subscription services for celebrity channels. TikTok, the new rising app first launched in 2016, has become the leading social media app to watch short videos in Vietnam, especially among the Vietnamese Gen Z. Zalo in Vietnam Zalo was created by Vuong Quang Khai, the current executive vice president of the Vietnamese technology company VNG Corporation, and has reached over 100 million users worldwide. Zalo provides free instant messaging, voice messaging, and individual or in-group calls, allowing users to send high-quality media files as well as calendar functions in private groups. It also has a diary function for users to post emotions and upload photos. On average, people send over one billion messages, deliver around 45 million pictures, and make 50 million minutes of calls through Zalo every day globally.

The global medical terminology app market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the increasing demand for efficient and accessible medical information among healthcare professionals, students, and patients. The market, estimated at $1.5 billion in 2025, is projected to exhibit a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 15% from 2025 to 2033, reaching approximately $5 billion by 2033. This expansion is fueled by several key factors. Firstly, the rising adoption of mobile technology within the healthcare sector simplifies access to critical medical information. Secondly, the growing need for continuous medical education and training necessitates user-friendly applications providing instant access to updated terminology. Thirdly, the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases and the consequent need for patient education are further boosting the market. The market is segmented by app type (Android and iOS) and application (healthcare providers, educational institutions, and others), with healthcare providers currently dominating the market share. Geographic distribution shows significant market penetration in North America and Europe, attributed to higher technological adoption rates and established healthcare infrastructure. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness substantial growth in the coming years, driven by rising healthcare spending and increased smartphone penetration. Competitive forces include established players like Wolters Kluwer N.V. and 3M Company alongside emerging technology companies offering innovative features and subscription models. While the market presents significant opportunities, challenges remain. Maintaining data accuracy and security is paramount, particularly concerning sensitive patient information. Regulatory compliance across different regions also poses a significant hurdle for app developers. Furthermore, ensuring user-friendly interfaces and integrating advanced features like AI-powered search and personalized learning paths are crucial for continued market growth. The market's future depends on addressing these challenges and capitalizing on advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning to enhance the overall user experience and provide a more comprehensive learning and reference tool. Continuous innovation in app features and functionality will be critical to sustaining the high growth trajectory projected for the coming decade.

Research from AppMagic suggested that Facebook continued to dominate the Australian social media landscape by owning two most downloaded social media apps as of January 2024. The number of Facebook downloads amounted to over 28 million, followed by Instagram, Pinterest, and Google. Facebook: The industry giant With over three billion monthly active users worldwide as of January 2024, Facebook leads the industry as the most popular social network platform. Besides its core product under the same name, Facebook also owns several major social network services, namely WhatsApp, Instagram, and its standalone instant messaging service, Messenger, each with more than one billion active users. The number of Australia-based Facebook users is estimated to decrease to around 13 million over the next few years, but still accounting for approximately two-thirds of Australia’s total population. More than just social networking While its business focus lies on private messaging, Facebook seems to have more to offer. Facebook, including Messenger, and Instagram have remained the most widely used platforms for social commerce among Australian online shoppers. Facebook has also been by far the most popular social media channel among small and medium-sized businesses in Australia. In times of the COVID-19 pandemic, apart from television and online newspaper, many Australians have turned to Facebook as their daily source of news.