Know the popular social media platforms to effectively market your business, connect with the right audience, and refine your marketing strategy.
Naturally, the quantity of users on the various social networking apps available is not the only factor to consider. It also depends on how well you and your company fit on the social networking platform. Does it align with your brand? Does that social media platform belong to your target audience? How many social media accounts are you able to handle concurrently?
We have done the legwork and gathered data regarding the most popular social media platforms for 2024 to make things easier. You’ll recognize some of them, but others may sound unfamiliar. To find out more about the social media apps that might work well for your brand, we suggest going through this list. And keep in mind that having a great brand does not need being active on every social media platform.
The top five social media networks and applications in 2024
The most recent information on monthly active users (MAUs)* is used to rank this ranking. Even though it’s helpful to observe how many people use each website, the largest user base doesn’t always translate into the greatest one for your business. The platform isn’t worth the time and effort to maintain if your target audience isn’t active there.
For optimal return on investment (ROI), initiate your social media marketing strategy by identifying platforms where your potential customers are active.
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3.05 billion MAUs on Facebook
According to Statista, Facebook is the most popular social networking site, with over 3 billion monthly users. This indicates that 37% of people on the planet use Facebook. Facebook Messenger, a spin-off program for direct chat, has 931 million active monthly users.
Facebook is a very safe pick if you want to establish a presence on social media, as more than 200 million businesses—mostly small businesses—use its capabilities, and more than seven million advertisers actively promote their enterprises there.
Almost all material formats, including text, photos, videos, and stories, function well on Facebook, making it simple to get started with. However, information that encourages meaningful connections and conversations between users—especially those who are family or friends—is given priority by the Facebook algorithm.
See our guide on marketing your business on Facebook and tracking your success for additional information on how to strike up conversations.
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With 2.78 billion MAUs, WhatsApp
With 2.78 estimated active users, WhatsApp is a messaging program that is used by individuals in over 180 countries, according to Statista.
Originally intended for personal communication, WhatsApp expanded its user base to include businesses after introducing WhatsApp Business in 2018. As of June 2023, it boasts over 200 million monthly users. Companies utilize WhatsApp for customer service and purchase notifications. Larger enterprises access the WhatsApp Business API, while smaller ones rely on the WhatsApp Business app.
WhatsApp, the most popular messaging app, maybe a fantastic customer support avenue for your company. View these success stories of WhatsApp Business users.
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2.49 billion MAUs on YouTube
Every day, users of the video-sharing website YouTube watch one billion hours of content. YouTube, owned by Google, is not only the second-largest social media platform but also commonly known as the second-largest search engine.
Consequently, you should incorporate YouTube into your marketing plan if you utilize videos to advertise your company. Here’s how to launch a YouTube channel for your brand to get you started.
We suggest learning about YouTube SEO or thinking about running an ad on the platform to expand the audience for your videos.
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With 2.04 billion MAUs on Instagram
Instagram is a visual social networking site where you may use images or videos to highlight your goods or services. You may share a lot of different types of content on the app, including images, videos, stories, reels, and live videos.
By setting up an Instagram business profile, you gain access to comprehensive analytics for your posts and profile. Additionally, you can plan posts using external tools. Given that users often tag companies, it’s a great avenue to gather user-generated content from your audience.
Check out our comprehensive guide to Instagram marketing for tips and tricks on using the platform like a pro.
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1.32 billion MAUs on WeChat
In 2011, Tencent, a prominent Chinese technology company, launched WeChat. WeChat, with 80% monthly usage among China’s 1.32 billion users, initially resembled Messenger and WhatsApp but has since evolved into a multifaceted platform. Users can now engage in various activities, including messaging, calling, online shopping, service bookings, ride-hailing, bill payments, grocery shopping, money transfers, and more.
In China and other Asian nations, WeChat reigns as the dominant social media platform. It serves as a valuable alternative for branding in China, especially since platforms like Facebook and Twitter are inaccessible. WeChat offers advertising options on Moments and official accounts, while influencers can help reach millions of Chinese consumers.
