Whether you’re a seasoned social media marketer, an aspiring entrant into the realm of social media marketing, or a brand aiming to harness the immense power of social platforms, staying informed about the current leading social media channels is crucial. This knowledge enables you to optimise your brand’s visibility, connect with your target audience effectively, and refine your social media marketing approach.
It’s not just about the sheer number of users across various social media apps; it’s about finding the right fit for your business and brand identity.
To simplify this process, we will examine the top social media platforms in 2024. While some may be familiar to you, others could be new discoveries. Explore this list to identify social media apps that align seamlessly with your brand.
The list is organised by Buffer, a software application for the web and mobile, designed to manage accounts in social networks. The list is based on the latest data regarding monthly active users (MAUs). While the total user base is a valuable metric, the platform with the most extensive user count may not necessarily be the best fit for your brand. If your target audience isn’t actively engaged there, investing time and effort into that platform might not be worthwhile.
- Facebook – 3.05 billion MAUs
- WhatsApp – 2.78 billion MAUs
- YouTube – 2.49 billion MAUs
- Instagram – 2.04 million MAUs
- WeChat – 1.32 billion MAUs
- TikTok – 1.22 billion MAUs
- Telegram – 800 million MAUs
- Snapchat – 750 million MAUs
- Kuaishou – 673 million MAUs
- X (formerly Twitter) – 666 million MAUs
- Sina Weibo – 599 million MAUs
- QQ – 571 million MAUs
- Qzone – 558 million MAUs
- Pinterest – 465 million MAUs
- Reddit – 430 million MAUs
- LinkedIn – 424 million MAUs
- Quora – 300 million MAUs
- Discord – 154 million MAUs
- Twitch – 140 million MAUs
- Tumblr – 135 million MAUs
Initiate your social media marketing strategy by identifying where your ideal customers are active, ensuring the best return on investment (ROI) for your business.
Leading the pack is Facebook, the largest social networking site boasting over 3 billion monthly users, as per Statista. This means that approximately 37 percent of the global population are active Facebook users. The direct messaging spin-off, Facebook Messenger, sees a significant 931 million monthly active users.
With over 200 million businesses, primarily small enterprises, utilising Facebook tools, and more than seven million advertisers actively promoting their businesses on the platform, Facebook is a reliable choice for establishing a social media presence. Its versatility allows almost all content formats—text, images, video content, and Stories—to thrive. The algorithm prioritises content that stimulates conversations and meaningful interactions, particularly among family and friends.
Coming in at number two, WhatsApp, the messaging app utilised in over 180 countries, boasts approximately 2.78 billion active users, according to Statista. Originally designed for personal communication, WhatsApp Business, launched in 2018, has made it a popular choice for brands. As of June 2023, WhatsApp Business reported over 200 million monthly active users.
For businesses, WhatsApp’s business platform facilitates customer support and sharing updates about purchases. Small businesses can use the WhatsApp Business app, while larger enterprises have access to the WhatsApp Business API. As the most widely used messaging platform, WhatsApp presents an excellent customer service channel for businessesThe third most popular site, YouTube, the video-sharing platform where users watch a billion hours of videos daily, stands as the second-largest social media app. Often referred to as the second largest search engine after Google, its parent company, YouTube is indispensable for businesses utilising video content in their marketing strategy.
