Whether or not you are constructing your private model or working social media advertising for a enterprise, choosing the proper social media platforms issues. It’s not nearly being the place everyone seems to be — it’s about being the place your viewers already exhibits up.
That’s why we put collectively this information: a take a look at the highest social media platforms in 2025, ranked by month-to-month lively customers and up to date with insights on what every platform is greatest for.
From acquainted giants like Fb and Instagram to rising gamers like Threads and Bluesky, this listing will enable you to make smarter choices about the place to indicate up and what sort of content material to create.
And bear in mind: you don’t have to be on each social media web site to develop a robust social media presence. A centered technique that aligns together with your target market, content material strengths, and accessible time will at all times beat being unfold too skinny.
Bounce to a social media platform:
This listing is ranked by the newest knowledge on month-to-month lively customers (MAUs)*.
Whereas it is helpful to see the sheer quantity of customers every web site has, it does not essentially imply the one with the most important consumer base is the perfect to your model. In case your target market just isn’t lively there, the platform is not well worth the effort and time it would take to handle it.
Begin your social media advertising technique by pinpointing the place your ultimate prospects are lively to get the perfect return on funding (ROI) for what you are promoting.
3.065 billion MAU
Fb stays the most important social media platform on the earth, with greater than 3 billion month-to-month lively customers — that’s over one-third of the worldwide inhabitants. It continues to be a core a part of most social media advertising methods, because of its broad viewers attain and help for almost each kind of content material format.
Greater than 200 million companies use Fb’s instruments, and over seven million manufacturers promote on the platform — making it one of the fashionable social media websites for enterprise.
Why Fb nonetheless issues:
- Works properly for textual content, photographs, video content material, tales, and dwell streams
- Options like Fb Teams and Fb Messenger permit deeper group constructing and buyer engagement
- Fb Adverts Supervisor offers exact focusing on for paid social media campaigns
Professional tip: Right here’s the way to develop your Fb following and take advantage of the algorithm — it rewards content material that sparks conversations between associates, households, and communities.
2. WhatsApp
2.95 billion MAU
WhatsApp is the world’s hottest messaging app, utilized in over 180 nations and by almost 3 billion folks each month.
Initially constructed for private messaging, it has since developed right into a beneficial social media platform for customer support, group updates, and enterprise advertising.
Why use WhatsApp:
- WhatsApp is designed for small companies to share updates, showcase merchandise, and reply questions instantly
- Bigger groups can use the WhatsApp Enterprise app to automate responses and combine buyer communication at scale
Whether or not you are updating prospects on orders, providing real-time help, or broadcasting limited-time offers, WhatsApp is a superb platform to achieve customers the place they’re most engaged, particularly in areas the place textual content messaging is the first type of communication.
WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption and no-algorithm feed make it ultimate for direct communication, not discovery. However when used properly, it builds belief and loyalty together with your target market.
3. YouTube
2.5 billion MAU
YouTube is greater than a video sharing platform — it’s the second-largest search engine on the earth (after Google, its mother or father firm). With customers watching over a billion hours of video each day, it’s essential platform for any model investing in video content material.
Why YouTube issues to your advertising technique:
- Helps each long-form and short-form movies (together with YouTube Shorts)
- Nice for evergreen content material, tutorials, behind-the-scenes, and storytelling
- Works properly for search-driven discovery and subscriber progress
website positioning performs an enormous position in visibility right here. Optimizing your movies with the suitable key phrases, thumbnails, and engagement methods might help your content material attain the suitable viewers over time.
Whether or not you’re new to YouTube or refining your present presence, right here’s the way to develop on YouTube and begin constructing a group via content material.
Study extra about YouTube website positioning, the YouTube algorithm, and the way to develop your viewers.
4. Instagram
2.04 billion MAU
Instagram is without doubt one of the most visible social media platforms, constructed for sharing photographs, movies, Tales, and short-form video content material like Reels.
With over 2 billion month-to-month lively customers, it’s particularly fashionable with millennials and Gen Z — making it a best choice for manufacturers seeking to join via visible storytelling.
Why manufacturers love Instagram:
You possibly can change to an Instagram enterprise profile to unlock in-depth analytics and scheduling instruments. It’s additionally straightforward to cross-post to Fb, Threads, and Messenger since they’re all a part of the Meta household of platforms.
Wish to develop? The Instagram algorithm favors content material that will get fast engagement — likes, saves, shares, and feedback. Right here’s a whole information to Instagram progress in 2025.
5. TikTok
1.5 billion MAU
TikTok has rapidly turn into the go-to short-form video content material platform, particularly amongst youthful audiences.
With 1.5 billion month-to-month lively customers and a world attain, it’s one of the partaking social media platforms on the market — and a best choice for creators, small companies, and types seeking to present up in a extra private, inventive method.
What makes TikTok distinctive:
- Customers can create movies as much as 10 minutes lengthy (which we’ve discovered get extra views) with built-in music, voice results, and modifying instruments
- The algorithm is laser-focused on consumer conduct — which means anybody can go viral
- Challenges, duets, and traits assist manufacturers take part in tradition, not simply broadcast messages
In case your goal demographic contains Gen Z or youthful millennials, TikTok could be a highly effective place to attach via genuine, fast-moving content material.
Involved in regards to the TikTok ban? We’ve bought you coated — right here’s every thing we all know in regards to the potential TikTok ban within the U.S., and the way to put together simply in case.
Wish to develop? Find out how the TikTok algorithm works and the way to get extra followers — from content material hooks to posting technique.
6. WeChat
1.34 billion MAU
Serious about increasing your social media presence internationally? WeChat could possibly be your gateway to one of many largest on-line markets on the earth.
WeChat, developed by Chinese language tech big Tencent, is without doubt one of the most versatile social media platforms on the earth — particularly throughout China and components of Asia.
Initially a messaging app, WeChat has grown into an all-in-one platform the place customers can ship messages, make funds, store on-line, guide rides, and extra.
Why WeChat stands out:
- One of many solely main social networking websites not blocked in China
- Presents branded WeChat Official Accounts for companies, which act like mini-websites
- Permits companies to run advertisements, construct mini-programs (apps inside WeChat), and attain audiences instantly via WeChat Moments
Should you’re attempting to achieve customers in China — the place platforms like Fb, X (previously Twitter), and Instagram are restricted — WeChat is the dominant choice for each private and enterprise communication.
You may also associate with Chinese language influencers to advertise your model via tales and content material throughout the WeChat ecosystem.
7. Telegram
900 million MAU
Telegram is a fast-growing messaging app recognized for its privacy-first method and adaptability.
Whereas it began as a easy chat software, it’s developed right into a full-fledged social media platform with channels, communities, bots, and broadcast instruments — all of which make it a strong choice for creators and types.
What units Telegram aside:
- Finish-to-end encryption for messages and recordsdata
- Large group and channel help — with channels accommodating as much as 200,000 subscribers
- Bots and automation for delivering content material, gathering suggestions, and even processing purchases
Due to its minimal algorithmic interference, Telegram is good for direct viewers communication — good for newsletters, product updates, and group constructing with out the noise.
Whereas not designed for discovery like TikTok or Instagram, Telegram excels at deepening engagement with an already target market.
You possibly can even construct mini ecosystems on Telegram utilizing its bots and API integrations — helpful for tech-savvy manufacturers and creators.
8. Snapchat
800 million MAU
Snapchat pioneered the thought of disappearing content material and vertical video — each of which have turn into staples throughout different social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok. With 800 million month-to-month lively customers globally, Snapchat stays a strong messaging app and visible content material platform, particularly amongst youthful audiences.
Why Snapchat ought to have a spot in your technique:
- Sturdy engagement with Gen Z and U.S. teenagers (almost 70% use the app)
- Options like Lenses, Bitmoji, and personal Tales make it extremely interactive
- Newer instruments like My AI and Highlight goal to maintain customers engaged and creators supported
Whereas Snapchat will not be as central to social media advertising technique as Instagram or TikTok, it nonetheless performs a key position in reaching particular goal demographics — particularly in case your model skews youthful or lifestyle-driven.
9. Douyin (TikTok China)
766.5 million month-to-month lively customers
Douyin is the Chinese language model of TikTok — developed by ByteDance and launched earlier than its international counterpart. Whereas they share the identical interface and video-first format, Douyin operates individually from TikTok and has its personal ecosystem, guidelines, and consumer conduct.
With round 766 million month-to-month lively customers, Douyin is a number one social media platform in China and a powerhouse in short-form video content material and social commerce.
Why Douyin stands out:
- Superior in-video e-commerce integrations — customers should purchase instantly from movies and livestreams
- Wealthy knowledge and AI-driven suggestions for hyper-personalized feeds
- Common for tutorials, product critiques, behind-the-scenes content material, and procuring hauls
For manufacturers and creators focusing on the Chinese language market, Douyin provides a extremely engaged, transaction-friendly viewers — and a glimpse into the way forward for video-led commerce.
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Whereas entry for worldwide manufacturers could require native partnerships or businesses, understanding Douyin could possibly be the important thing to understanding the place TikTok could also be headed.
10. Kuaishou
735.6 million MAU
Kuaishou is certainly one of China’s largest video-focused social media platforms, and a key competitor to TikTok (generally known as Douyin in China).
With round 735 million month-to-month lively customers, it’s particularly fashionable in lower-tier cities and rural areas of China — providing a novel house for creators and types to achieve underserved audiences.
What makes Kuaishou totally different:
- Sturdy emphasis on genuine, on a regular basis storytelling over high-gloss traits
- Helps long-form video, short-form content material, and dwell streaming
- Leans closely on e-commerce income, with built-in instruments for product discovery and buying
Kuaishou has a status for being extra community-driven and fewer algorithmically intense than TikTok or Douyin, the Chinese language model of TikTok. This offers smaller creators extra room to develop and makes the platform an fascinating choice for social commerce.
Should you’re focusing on the Chinese language market or exploring cross-border e-commerce, Kuaishou is price exploring as a part of a broader social media advertising technique.
11. Reddit
632 million MAU
Reddit is a hybrid dialogue platform and social community made up of 1000’s of area of interest communities referred to as subreddits.
With 632 million month-to-month lively customers, it’s a go-to platform for in-depth conversations, recommendation, crowd-sourced data, and cultural commentary.
Why Reddit is totally different:
- Boards exist for just about each subject — from skincare to startups to AI
- Social media customers have interaction anonymously, which inspires sincere dialogue
- Subreddits like r/magnificence or r/entrepreneur are hubs of trusted peer perception
Reddit isn’t about polished content material — it’s about exhibiting up with worth. That makes it ultimate for manufacturers and creators who wish to hear earlier than posting and interact with communities thoughtfully.
Remember the fact that most subreddits don’t permit blatant self-promotion. Your greatest guess for fulfillment on the platform is to supply insights, ask good questions, and share content material that’s genuinely helpful to your target market.
12. Sina Weibo
590 million MAU
Sina Weibo is a Chinese language microblogging platform that mixes options of Twitter and Instagram.
With about 590 million month-to-month lively customers, Weibo stays one of many largest social networking websites in China and a strong channel for development discovery, influencer advertising, and model visibility.
Why Weibo is a best choice:
- Content material contains photographs, movies, Tales, dwell streams, and hashtags
- Extremely lively round leisure, information, magnificence, trend, and tech
- Presents official and verified enterprise accounts, plus advert placements
In comparison with WeChat, Weibo’s viewers is youthful and extra trend-focused. It’s the platform the place many viral actions and conversations begin — and the place manufacturers can be part of cultural conversations in actual time.
Serious about going viral in China? The New York Occasions as soon as referred to as Weibo “the place to be” — and for good motive.
13. Pinterest
570 million MAU
Pinterest is the place inspiration meets motion. With 570 million month-to-month lively customers, it’s a visible social media platform that capabilities extra like a discovery engine than a conventional feed.
Customers “pin” photographs and movies linked to blogs, merchandise, and touchdown pages — making it a robust driver of visitors and purchases.
Why Pinterest works for manufacturers:
- Pinterest customers are 7x extra prone to buy merchandise they’ve saved
- Particularly fashionable for niches like trend, dwelling decor, wellness, DIY, and meals
- Very best for user-generated content material and evergreen posts with lengthy shelf lives
Whether or not you’re selling weblog content material, e-commerce listings, or tutorials, Pinterest helps you present up when individuals are actively trying to find concepts — making it a beneficial addition to your social media advertising technique.
14. QQ
554 million MAU
QQ, additionally developed by Tencent, was as soon as China’s prime immediate messaging app earlier than WeChat took the lead.
As we speak, with over 550 million month-to-month lively customers, QQ nonetheless holds robust — particularly amongst youthful customers, players, and professionals on the lookout for light-weight communication and file sharing.
Why QQ has a loyal consumer base:
- Common for its desktop-friendly interface and skill to switch massive recordsdata (over 25 MB)
- Presents a social feed, avatar customization, and built-in on-line video games
- Doesn’t require a telephone quantity to enroll — interesting to college students and customers with out smartphones
QQ is greater than a messaging software — it’s a full social expertise, particularly in China’s youth tradition. For manufacturers focusing on the Chinese language workforce or teen viewers, QQ could be a lower-pressure different to flashier social media platforms like WeChat or Douyin.
Whereas it’s not a significant channel for international advertising, QQ remains to be a key a part of China’s broader social media panorama — and a reminder that totally different markets usually reply to very totally different instruments.
15. LinkedIn
~350-400 million MAU
LinkedIn is the main skilled networking platform, initially constructed for job seekers and recruiters — however now simply as beneficial for creators, small enterprise house owners, and types.
With between 350-400 million month-to-month lively customers, LinkedIn has turn into a hub for sharing concepts, constructing authority, and nurturing your private model.
Why LinkedIn is a should for professionals and types:
- Very best for B2B advertising, {industry} insights, and employer branding
- A strong house to ascertain thought management via articles, carousels, and video content material
- The algorithm rewards consistency and significant engagement (particularly feedback)
Whether or not you are constructing a enterprise presence or rising as a solo creator, LinkedIn provides one of many highest ROIs for content material visibility — particularly in case your target market contains decision-makers or professionals.
Find out how the LinkedIn algorithm works, the way to develop your followers, and the way to construct a standout private model.
16. Threads
350 million MAU
Threads, developed by Meta as a companion to Instagram, launched in mid-2023 and rapidly grew to become one of many fastest-growing social media apps in historical past — reaching 100 million sign-ups in only a few days.
As of early 2025, it now has over 350 million month-to-month lively customers.
What makes Threads totally different:
- A text-first platform for short-form updates, commentary, and informal dialog
- Built-in with Instagram — your username, following, and cross-posting carry over
- An different to its counterpart X, with common function rollouts
Threads remains to be evolving, nevertheless it’s rapidly turn into an area for creators, founders, and types to construct connections via short-form content material with out strain. Many use it for behind-the-scenes updates, viewers questions, and fewer polished ideas.
Wish to develop on Threads? We broke down the platform’s greatest options and the way to use them to construct group and model visibility.
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Professional tip: Should you’re already lively on Instagram, Threads provides a pure extension to achieve your target market via fast, conversational content material.
17. X (previously Twitter)
335.7 million MAU
X, previously generally known as Twitter, continues to be a significant participant in social media, with over 335 million month-to-month lively customers.
Whereas the platform has undergone important modifications since its rebrand in 2023, it nonetheless thrives on real-time viewers interplay, trending matters, and short-form updates.
What makes X distinctive:
- Emphasis on well timed content material — from breaking information to dwell commentary
- A house for text-first content material, making it ultimate for thought management, humor, and sizzling takes
- Nonetheless a strong customer support channel, utilized by manufacturers for quick, public help
Regardless of fluctuating consumer belief and platform modifications, X stays helpful for manufacturers with a fast-moving content material technique or a need to attach instantly with area of interest communities.
Find out how the X algorithm works and the way to develop your following on X, whether or not you’re constructing a private model or managing a enterprise account.
18. Quora
400 million MAU
Quora is a dialogue platform constructed round questions and solutions — the place customers share data, give recommendation, and rank responses via upvotes and views.
With 400 million month-to-month lively customers, Quora continues to be a beneficial house for manufacturers and creators to construct belief and attain customers throughout the analysis section of decision-making.
Why Quora works:
- Excessive intent viewers — many customers are actively researching purchases or attempting to unravel an issue
- Evergreen visibility — an incredible reply can rank in Google search and keep seen for years
- An area to showcase subject-matter experience and hyperlink again to your web site, product, or content material
As a part of your social media advertising technique, Quora might help you attain your target market with content material that feels useful, not promotional. You possibly can reply industry-relevant questions, create a Quora web page for what you are promoting, and even run advertisements via Quora’s advert platform.
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Professional tip: Use worker advocates or founders to reply questions on behalf of your model — it provides a private contact and builds credibility.
19. RedNote (Xiaohongshu/Little Crimson Ebook)
300+ million MAU
Xiaohongshu, also referred to as RedNote or Little Crimson Ebook, is a fast-growing social media platform based mostly in China that blends way of life content material, product discovery, and e-commerce.
With over 300 million month-to-month lively customers, it’s usually described as a hybrid of Instagram, Pinterest, and Amazon critiques — particularly fashionable amongst Gen Z and Millennial ladies.
Why RedNote is a rising star:
- Combines user-generated content material with product suggestions, tutorials, and critiques
- Constructed-in procuring and affiliate hyperlinks permit for seamless conversion from content material to buy
- Particularly influential in magnificence, trend, wellness, journey, and luxurious niches
RedNote has gained worldwide consideration in mild of uncertainty round platforms like TikTok, with some creators exploring it as a brand new content material channel. It’s additionally one of the trusted sources of peer-to-peer product critiques in China.
Should you’re focusing on the Chinese language market or exploring social commerce traits, RedNote is a platform to look at carefully.
20. Twitch
240 million month-to-month lively customers
Twitch is the world’s main dwell streaming platform, greatest recognized for gaming however more and more dwelling to creators in music, artwork, tech, health, and extra. With 240 million month-to-month lively customers, Twitch permits direct, real-time viewers interplay via dwell chat and subscriber communities.
Why Twitch works for manufacturers and creators:
- Stay content material builds robust viewer relationships via real-time engagement
- Monetization choices embody subscriptions, donations, sponsorships, and advertisements
- A devoted tradition round creators, from emotes to channel raids to “Simply Chatting” streams
In case your model or product suits naturally into leisure, gaming, training, or behind-the-scenes content material, Twitch could be a highly effective house to develop your presence with video content material that feels private and participatory.
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For creators and companies new to dwell streaming, Twitch provides a loyal viewers, nevertheless it’s greatest approached with consistency and interplay in thoughts.
21. Discord
200 million month-to-month lively customers
Discord began as a communication platform for players — however at this time, it powers communities throughout every thing from entrepreneurship and crypto to training and creator areas.
With 200 million month-to-month lively customers, Discord provides real-time messaging, voice chat, video calls, and deep customization for manufacturers seeking to construct close-knit audiences.
Why Discord stands out:
- Totally customizable servers with personal and public channels
- Nice for constructing a way of belonging via shared areas, occasions, and unique content material
- Can be utilized for product suggestions, buyer help, or behind-the-scenes entry
Whereas not a conventional social media platform, Discord is more and more utilized by creators, companies, and types to deepen their social media presence via community-led conversations.
22. Tumblr
191 million month-to-month web site visits
Tumblr is a long-running microblogging platform recognized for its inventive freedom, extremely engaged subcultures, and customizable weblog layouts.
With 191 million month-to-month web site visits, Tumblr has maintained a loyal group — significantly amongst artists, writers, fandoms, and youthful customers searching for a extra expressive on-line house.
Why Tumblr nonetheless resonates:
- Helps almost each media format: textual content, photographs, GIFs, video, audio, and hyperlinks
- Permits deep weblog customization — many customers deal with their Tumblr as a private web site or aesthetic diary
- Very best for moodboarding, visible storytelling, and area of interest pursuits that don’t at all times match mainstream platforms
Tumblr isn’t a must-use for each model — however for these in inventive industries or with robust visible and cultural identities, it may be a low-pressure method to construct a novel social media presence.
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23. Bluesky
30 million whole customers
Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform initially incubated by Twitter and launched as an impartial app in 2023.
With a deal with transparency and consumer management, Bluesky reached over 30 million whole customers by the tip of 2024 — and continues to draw tech-savvy creators, builders, and group builders. Discover ways to get began right here.
What makes Bluesky distinctive:
- Constructed on the AT Protocol — an open-source community that permits customers to manage their knowledge and algorithms
- Feels acquainted to X/Twitter, with posts, replies, reposts, and likes
- Attracts a distinct segment however rising consumer base taken with decentralization, creator possession, and moderation transparency
Bluesky remains to be in early levels and never but a mainstream platform, nevertheless it holds promise for creators and types who wish to have interaction in smaller, values-aligned communities or experiment with new distribution fashions.
24. Mastodon
8.1 million whole customers
Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source social media platform that gained traction in late 2022 as an alternative choice to mainstream networks.
With round 8.1 million whole customers, Mastodon is organized round independently hosted servers — or “situations” — that interconnect to kind a broader community generally known as the Fediverse.
Why Mastodon appeals to area of interest audiences:
- No central authority — customers be part of or create communities based mostly on shared pursuits or values
- Prioritizes privateness, moderation transparency, and algorithm-free feeds
- Posts might be as much as 5,000 characters and embody photographs, video, or audio
Mastodon isn’t constructed for mass enchantment — it’s designed for intentional communities and slower, extra considerate real-time viewers interplay. In case your model leans towards transparency, activism, or moral tech, it could possibly be match for reputation-building.
With so many social media platforms on the market, it may be tempting to strive all of them — however the best social media advertising technique isn’t about being in all places. It’s about exhibiting up deliberately, the place your target market already spends time, and the place your content material performs greatest.
As an alternative of managing 5 – 6 platforms midway, decide two or three that align together with your strengths, your objectives, and your viewers — then decide to exhibiting up constantly and experimenting over time.
And in the event you’re managing a number of platforms, Buffer makes it simpler to plan content material, observe efficiency, and keep organized — irrespective of what number of accounts you run.
What are social media platforms?
Social media platforms are on-line networks or apps the place customers create and share content material, join with others, and interact in communities. They vary from messaging apps like WhatsApp to visible platforms like Instagram and video-sharing platforms like YouTube.
What are the highest 5 social media platforms?
As of 2025, the highest 5 social media platforms by month-to-month lively customers are:
- Fb – 3.07 billion MAUs
- YouTube – 2.5 billion MAUs
- WhatsApp – 2 billion MAUs
- Instagram – 2 billion MAUs
- TikTok – 1.59 billion MAUs
These platforms supply the widest attain and broadest social media utilization globally.
What are the highest 5 fashionable apps in social media?
The most well-liked social media apps proper now are:
- TikTok (short-form video)
- Instagram (visible storytelling)
- YouTube (long-form and short-form video)
- Fb (broad content material sharing and group)
- Threads (fast-growing text-first app from Meta)
Recognition can depend upon viewers age, area, and content material format — so contemplate the place your target market is most lively.
What’s the hottest social media proper now?
TikTok continues to dominate short-form video and cultural traits. However Threads and Xiaohongshu (RedNote) are rapidly gaining traction in 2025, with youthful audiences and creators exploring new methods to share, join, and monetize.
Until in any other case said, these numbers are from Statista’s report, ‘Hottest social networks worldwide as of October 2024’.
