Top 10 Most Popular Social Media Platforms in 2025

Key Takeaways

1. Social media is a global phenomenon, with platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp reaching billions of people daily.
2. Users turn to social platforms to stay connected, be entertained, stay informed, and discover products or ideas.
3. The average person uses about 6–7 platforms per month and spends roughly 2.5 hours daily on social media.
4. Selecting the right platforms based on your audience and industry is crucial for effective marketing and engagement.
5. To succeed online, businesses must align their social media approach with user behavior, interests, and the platforms where their target audience is most active.

Since the dot-com bubble, the internet has undergone a revolutionary transformation, with social media emerging as one of its most captivating facets. It has shaped how we communicate, share information, and connect with others. However, amidst this vast landscape, one burning question persists: Which online networking platform reigns supreme as the most popular? Whether you’re seeking to expand your online presence, connect with a global audience, or stay ahead of industry trends, this guide provides a comprehensive list of the top 10 most popular social media platforms in 2025, along with essential tips on why you should utilize digital communication networks.

Most Popular Social Media Platforms Around the Globe

With 5.04 billion social media users worldwide in January 2025, accounting for 62.3 percent of the global population, digital communication networks have become an integral part of modern life. The proliferation of such platforms has resulted in over 9 in 10 internet users engaging with social media monthly, highlighting its ubiquitous presence in daily routines. Data from GWI reveals that the average social media user interacts with approx. 6.7 different platforms each month, dedicating an average of 2 hours and 23 minutes daily to social media activities.

As of January 2025, the world’s most used social media platforms for all ages around the globe include the following:

• Facebook with 3.049B users;
• YouTube with 2.491B reach;
• WhatsApp with 2B users;
• Instagram (2B reach);
• TikTok with an audience of 1.562B;
• WeChat with 1.336B users;
• Facebook Messenger with an audience of 979M;
• Telegram (800M reach);
• Douyin with 752M users;
• Snapchat with 750M users.

Besides, Kuaishou has 685M users, while X (formerly Twitter) has a potential advertising reach of 619M. Sina Weibo counts 605M users, QQ has 558M, and Pinterest has 482M. Although LinkedIn is another popular social media platform, it doesn’t publicize monthly active user data.

Critically, the interconnected nature of social media usage for young adults underscores the importance for marketers to select the best social media network that aligns with their target audiences strategically. The globally connected populace utilizes a diverse range of digital communication networks monthly, resulting in significant overlaps among user bases and advertising audiences across these platforms. While the abundance of options offers expansive reach, focusing efforts on one or two major platforms can effectively engage the majority of users.

Reasons for Using Social Media in 2025

Data from GWI sheds light on the primary motivations driving social media usage among users aged 16 to 64. By age, keeping in touch with friends and family emerges as the top priority, with 49.5% of respondents indicating this as their primary motivation. This underscores the role of digital communication networks in facilitating interpersonal connections and nurturing relationships in an increasingly digital-centric world.

Following closely is the desire for entertainment and leisure with 38.5% of users turning to online networking platforms for such activities. Whether scrolling through feeds, exploring trending topics, or engaging with user-generated content, social media serves as a convenient and accessible platform for recreational pursuits, offering a myriad of diversions to alleviate boredom and pass the time. Moreover, 34.2% and 30.2% of users utilize these platforms for reading news and discovering relevant content such as articles and videos, respectively.

Besides, digital communication networks fulfill a variety of other needs and desires among users. This includes staying abreast of current discussions (28.7%), finding inspiration for activities and purchases (26.7%), and discovering products to buy (26.1%). Additionally, users leverage social platforms for sharing opinions, engaging in discussions, watching live streams, making new contacts, and following brands, celebrities, and influencers. These diverse motivations underscore the multifaceted nature of social media engagement in the digital age.

In Summary

In conclusion, crafting a successful social media marketing strategy for your e-commerce business requires a strategic approach informed by an understanding of all social media usage trends. Indeed, it’s crucial to assess the distribution of online networking platform usage to identify where your target audience is most active. Given the pervasive influence of social media in today’s digital landscape, prioritizing platforms with the largest user base can maximize the reach and impact of your marketing efforts.

To effectively capitalize on the potential of social media, it’s essential to tailor your strategy to leverage platforms that align with your business pursuits and target demographics. For instance, if you’re looking to tap into the burgeoning creator economy, exploring avenues to make money on TikTok could yield lucrative brand promotion and engagement opportunities. Similarly, exploring ways to make money on YouTube can unlock revenue streams and expand your brand’s presence in the digital sphere.

Moreover, understanding the best time to post on Instagram can enhance visibility and engagement, ensuring that your messages resonate with your audience when they are most active and receptive. Furthermore, for niche industries like real estate, identifying the best social media platforms for real estate to reach prospective clients is essential. Whether it involves showcasing property listings, sharing market insights, or establishing thought leadership, selecting the right platforms tailored to the needs and preferences of your target audience can enhance your visibility and credibility within the industry.