Table of contents
- History of Social Media
- Social Media Usage Statistics
- Most Popular Social Media Platforms
- Facebook: Social Networking Powerhouse
- Instagram: Photo And Video-sharing Hub
- Twitter: Real-time Microblogging Platform
- LinkedIn: Professional Networking Platform
- Pinterest: Visual Discovery Platform
- TikTok: Short-form Video Sensation
- YouTube: Video-sharing Giant
- Social Media Entrepreneurs
- Social Media News
- Social Media Marketing Statistics
Social media statistics for 2024 provide a comprehensive overview of the ever-evolving realm of online connectivity.
In this blog, we explore the latest social media statistics, delving into user demographics, engagement trends, and revenue insights for 2024.
Let’s dive in!
11 Facts About Social Media
- Six out of every ten people around the world use social media platforms.
- Typically, users spend an average of 151 minutes (about 2.5 hours) daily on social media.
- On average, a person uses 6.7 different social networks per month.
- Facebook was the first social network to surpass one billion registered accounts.
- The name “Facebook” originated from the idea of a tangible student directory that was traditionally distributed to students at American universities.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-followed person on Instagram and Facebook, with over 122 million subscribers to his Facebook page in January 2023.
- 41.6 million WhatsApp messages are sent in one internet minute, and 4 million Facebook posts are liked.
- Pinterest users can have up to 2,000 boards, can create up to 200,000 pins, and have a limit of 50,000 user follows.
- After Google Search, YouTube is the second most visited website in the world.
- The first YouTube video, “Me at the Zoo” (18 seconds long), was uploaded on April 24, 2005, and has over 310 million views.
- Sixty-five million people use LinkedIn to search for jobs weekly, 28 million have added #OPENTOWORK frames to their profiles, and six people get hired every minute on LinkedIn.
History of Social Media
From the early days of oral traditions and written communication, humans have consistently evolved their interaction methods. In the contemporary era, the advent of technology has ushered in a new chapter in communication, with social media playing a pivotal role.
In the present day, social media platforms serve as a social space, enabling individuals to connect, share, and communicate on a global scale. The evolution from face-to-face to virtual conversations has been significant, and social media has become integral to daily life.
But how did social media start? In the late 1990s and early 2000s, the social media landscape witnessed the emergence of platforms like SixDegrees, LiveJournal, and Friendster.
SixDegrees, launched in 1997, introduced the concept of six degrees of connection, allowing users to list contacts and interact within a community.
In 1999, LiveJournal pioneered the self-documenting aspect of social media through personal blogs and journals, fostering engagement through comments.
Friendster, starting in 2002, supported multimedia sharing and event discovery, reaching 3 million members quickly but eventually succumbing to competition and undergoing rebranding as a gaming platform in 2011.
The rise of MySpace in 2003 marked a global phenomenon between 2005 and 2008, with features like music embedding and customizable profiles.
However, Facebook’s ascent led to MySpace’s decline in 2008. Other platforms like Habbo, Hi5, and Bebo also launched around this time. Still, they did not achieve the same lasting cultural impact as the dominant platforms that continue to shape the industry nearly two decades later.
Currently, there are hundreds of social media platforms globally. Major platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, Pinterest, WhatsApp, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube have substantial user bases. Additionally, numerous niche platforms cater to specific interests, industries, or communities, contributing to the overall diversity of the social media landscape.
During their initial phases, social media platforms were primarily perceived as online communities tailored for younger demographics. Nevertheless, individuals across all age groups now frequently utilize these platforms for various purposes, including business interactions, socializing, dating, engaging in political discussions, and facilitating daily communication.
| Platform | Year Founded | Country of Origin | Founder(s) | Major Features at Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SixDegrees | 1997 | United States | Andrew Weinreich | Six degrees of connection, user profiles, messaging, bulletin board functionality |
| LiveJournal | 1999 | United States | Brad Fitzpatrick | Personal blogs, journals, friend lists, comments section |
| Friendster | 2002 | United States | Jonathan Abrams | Photo and video sharing, text and link posts, user search, direct communication |
| 2003 | United States | Reid Hoffman | Professional networking, job searching, industry discussions | |
| MySpace | 2003 | United States | Tom Anderson, Chris DeWolfe | Music and video embedding, customizable profiles, MySpace Music for artist discovery |
| Baidu Tieba | 2003 | China | Baidu | Forums, discussion boards, interest-based communities |
| 2004 | United States | Mark Zuckerberg | Profile connections, status updates, photo sharing, friend requests | |
| QZone | 2005 | China | Tencent | Blogging, photo sharing, social networking |
| 2006 | United States | Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone | Microblogging (tweets), following, hashtags, real-time updates | |
| VKontakte (VK) | 2006 | Russia | Pavel Durov | Social networking, messaging, communities |
| Tumblr | 2007 | United States | David Karp | Blogging, multimedia content sharing, follow and reblog features |
| 2009 | United States | Brian Acton, Jan Koum | Instant messaging, voice calls, group chats | |
| 2009 | China | Sina Corporation | Microblogging, social networking, trends | |
| 2010 | United States | Kevin Systrom, Mike Krieger | Photo and video sharing, filters, Stories feature | |
| 2010 | United States | Ben Silbermann, Evan Sharp | Image bookmarking, boards, visual discovery | |
| Snapchat | 2011 | United States | Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy | Disappearing messages, Stories, augmented reality filters |
| 2Go | 2011 | Philippines | Alan Knott-Craig Jr. | Instant messaging, social networking, chat rooms |
| Google+ | 2011 | United States | Larry Page, Sergey Brin | Circles for friend categorization, Hangouts for video calls, +1 button for endorsements |
| 2011 | China | Tencent | Messaging, social networking, mobile payments, mini-programs | |
| Telegram | 2013 | Russia | Pavel Durov, Nikolai Durov | Instant messaging, voice and video calls, channels, groups |
| ShareChat | 2015 | India | Ankush Sachdeva | Multilingual content sharing, video creation, communities |
| TikTok | 2016 | China | Zhang Yiming | Short-form videos, duets, lip-syncing, trends |
Social Media Usage Statistics
How Many People Use Social Media?
Social networking is the most common digital activity worldwide. As of January 2023, the global social media usage rate reached 59 percent, translating to almost six out of every ten people using social networks worldwide.
It is also projected that about six billion people will be using a form of social media by 2027, representing a notable increase from 4.89 billion recorded in 2022.
| Year | Users (in billions) |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 2.73 |
| 2018 | 3.10 |
| 2019 | 3.51 |
| 2020 | 3.90 |
| 2021 | 4.26 |
| 2022 | 4.59 |
| 2023* | 4.89 |
| 2024* | 5.17 |
| 2025* | 5.42 |
| 2026* | 5.64 |
| 2027* | 5.85 |
Source: Statista
Social media statistics show that social media penetration rates across regions have been increasing globally. For instance, as of January 2024, Northern and Western Europe held the highest global social network penetration rates, at 81.7% and 80.2%, respectively.
| Region | Penetration rate | |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | 81.70 | in % |
| Western Europe | 80.20 | in % |
| Southern Europe | 74.80 | in % |
| Eastern Asia | 74 | in % |
| Northern America | 71.30 | in % |
| Eastern Europe | 70.40 | in % |
| Western Asia | 66 | in % |
| Central America | 65.10 | in % |
| Global | 62.30 | in % |
| Southeastern Asia | 60.30 | in % |
| Oceania | 60.30 | in % |
| Caribbean | 50.80 | in % |
| Southern Africa | 41.60 | in % |
| Southern America | 41.60 | in % |
| Northern Africa | 40.40 | in % |
| Central Asia | 34.90 | in % |
| Southern Asia | 32.40 | in % |
| Western Africa | 15.80 | in % |
| Eastern Africa | 10.10 | in % |
| Middle Africa | 9.60 | in % |
Source: Statista
How Much Time Do People Spend On Social Media?
Did you know that, on average, internet users spend 151 minutes daily on social media?
Media & Entertainment: Unlocking Its Full Potential
In 2023, Brazil, Nigeria, and the Philippines’ internet users had the highest average time spent on social media, while Japan, Belgium, and South Korea had low average time spent on social media.
| Country | Avg. Daily Time Spent on social media (in hours.minutes) |
|---|---|
| Brazil | 3.49 |
| Nigeria | 3.44 |
| Philippines | 3.38 |
| South Africa | 3.34 |
| Chile | 3.34 |
| Kenya | 3.32 |
| Columbia | 3.28 |
| Ghana | 3.20 |
| Indonesia | 3.14 |
| Mexico | 3.10 |
| Argentina | 3.08 |
| Turkey | 2.56 |
| Malaysia | 2.52 |
| Saudi Arabia | 2.50 |
| UAE | 2.44 |
| Egypt | 2.40 |
Source: Statista
Who Uses Social Media?
As of January 2023, more users who identified as female used Snapchat (51%) and Instagram (48.2%), while Twitter had the highest percentage of users who identified as male (63%).
| Platform | Female | Male | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snapchat | 51 | 48.20 | in % |
| 48.20 | 51.80 | in % | |
| TikTok | 48.20 | 51.80 | in % |
| 43.70 | 56.30 | in % | |
| LinkedIn* | 42.80 | 57.20 | in % |
| 37 | 63 | in % |
Source: Statista
Why Do People Use Social Media?
People use social media for different reasons, from staying connected with friends and family to expressing themselves creatively and professionally.
A survey conducted in the third quarter of 2023 revealed that 49 percent of social media users utilize the platforms to connect with family and friends. A significant percentage of the users prefer the platforms to pass the time.
| Reason | Share of respondents | |
|---|---|---|
| Keeping in touch with friends and family | 49.50 | in % |
| Filling spare time | 38.50 | in % |
| Reading news stories | 34.20 | in % |
| Finding content (E.g. articles, videos) | 30.20 | in % |
| Seeing what’s being talked about | 28.70 | in % |
| Finding inspiration for things to do and buy | 26.70 | in % |
| Finding products to purchase | 26.10 | in % |
| Watching live streams | 22.70 | in % |
| Sharing and discussing opinions with others | 22.70 | in % |
| Making new contacts | 22.50 | in % |
| Seeing content for your favorite brands | 22.10 | in % |
| Watching or following sports | 22 | in % |
| Work-related networking and research | 21.30 | in % |
| Following celebrities or influencers | 20.10 | in % |
| Posting about your life | 19.70 | in % |
Source: Statista
Most Popular Social Media Platforms
Several social media platforms are available, but a few stand out as the most popular globally. An average person is estimated to use 6.7 different social media platforms daily.
As of January 2024, social media statistics place Facebook as the most popular social media site, with over three billion monthly active users. YouTube, a video-sharing platform, follows closely with about 2.5 billion monthly active users. At the same time, Instagram boasts a visually driven platform focusing on photo and video sharing, attracting about two billion monthly users.
TikTok, known for short-form videos, has rapidly gained popularity, especially among younger demographics, amassing over 1.5 billion monthly active users.
| Social Media Site | Monthly active users (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 3,049 | |
| YouTube | 2,491 |
| 2,000 | |
| 2,000 | |
| TikTok | 1,562 |
| 1,336 | |
| Facebook Messenger | 979 |
| Telegram | 800 |
| Douyin | 752 |
| Snapchat | 750 |
| Kuaishou | 685 |
| X/Twitter | 619 |
| Sina Weibo | 605 |
| 558 | |
| 482 |
Source: Statista
Below is a closer look at social media statistics for the top platforms:
Facebook: Social Networking Powerhouse
How Did Facebook Start?
Facebook was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg, a computer science student, along with his college roommates Andrew McCollum, Eduardo Saverin, Chris Hughes, and Dustin Moskovitz at Harvard University. What started as a platform exclusively for Harvard University students quickly expanded to other universities and eventually became available to the public in 2006.
The name “Facebook” originated from the concept of a physical student directory distributed to students at American universities. Before the platform’s digital existence, Harvard University used to provide incoming students with a printed booklet containing photos and basic information about their classmates. These booklets were known as “facebooks.”
By 2009, Facebook had become the world’s most utilized social networking service.
In October 2021, Zuckerberg announced a significant rebranding initiative, unveiling Meta Platforms, Inc., with Facebook as its most popular social media platform.
Facebook is the most preferred social media marketing tool, followed by Instagram.
Facebook Users Worldwide
The statistics of Facebook users show that the social networking giant boasts an unparalleled global user base, with billions of active users across continents and demographics. It is estimated that Facebook users will reach 3.1 billion by 2027.
| Year | Users (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 2017 | 1,581.57 |
| 2018 | 1,795.37 |
| 2019 | 1,994.52 |
| 2020 | 2,368.92 |
| 2021 | 2,561.64 |
| 2022 | 2,605.87 |
| 2023 | 2,722.05 |
| 2024 | 2,829.72 |
| 2025 | 2,930.28 |
| 2026 | 3,024.56 |
| 2027 | 3,113.01 |
Source: Statista
Facebook Daily Active Users
The number of global Facebook daily active users was 2.1 billion by the last quarter of 2023. The numbers have been rising progressively over the years, and between 2022 and 2023, Facebook’s daily active users increased by 100 million.
| Quarter/year | Daily Active Users (in millions) |
|---|---|
| Q1 ’11 | 372 |
| Q2 ’11 | 417 |
| Q3 ’11 | 457 |
| Q4 ’11 | 483 |
| Q1 ’12 | 526 |
| Q2 ’12 | 552 |
| Q3 ’12 | 584 |
| Q4 ’12 | 618 |
| Q1 ’13 | 665 |
| Q2 ’13 | 699 |
| Q3 ’13 | 728 |
| Q4 ’13 | 757 |
| Q1 ’14 | 802 |
| Q2 ’14 | 829 |
| Q3 ’14 | 864 |
| Q4 ’14 | 890 |
| Q1 ’15 | 936 |
| Q2 ’15 | 968 |
| Q3 ’15 | 1,007 |
| Q4 ’15 | 1,038 |
| Q1 ’16 | 1,090 |
| Q2 ’16 | 1,128 |
| Q3 ’16 | 1,179 |
| Q4 ’16 | 1,227 |
| Q1 ’17 | 1,284 |
| Q2 ’17 | 1,325 |
| Q3 ’17 | 1,368 |
| Q4 ’17 | 1,401 |
| Q1 ’18 | 1,449 |
| Q2 ’18 | 1,471 |
| Q3 ’18 | 1,495 |
| Q4 ’18 | 1,523 |
| Q1 ’19 | 1,562 |
| Q2 ’19 | 1,587 |
| Q3 ’19 | 1,623 |
| Q4 ’19 | 1,657 |
| Q1 ’20 | 1,734 |
| Q2 ’20 | 1,785 |
| Q3 ’20 | 1,820 |
| Q4 ’20 | 1,845 |
| Q1 ’21 | 1,878 |
| Q2 ’21 | 1,908 |
| Q3 ’21 | 1,930 |
| Q4 ’21 | 1,929 |
| Q1 ’22 | 1,960 |
| Q2 ’22 | 1,968 |
| Q3 ’22 | 1,984 |
| Q4 ’22 | 2,000 |
| Q1 ’23 | 2,037 |
| Q2 ’23 | 2,064 |
| Q3 ’23 | 2,085 |
| Q4 ’23 | 2,110 |
Source: Statista
Top 10 Most Popular Facebook Fan Pages
Source: Statista
Countries With the Most Facebook Users
As of 2023, India was the leading country in terms of Facebook users, estimated at 315 million, followed by the United States at 175 million.
| Country | Users (in millions) |
|---|---|
| India | 314.60 |
| United States | 175 |
| Indonesia | 119.90 |
| Brazil | 109.05 |
| Mexico | 83.75 |
| Philippines | 80.30 |
| Vietnam | 66.20 |
| Thailand | 48.10 |
| Bangladesh | 43.25 |
| Egypt | 42 |
Source: Statista
Facebook Users By Gender & Age Group
According to social media statistics released by Statista, Facebook’s predominant user demographic in the United States falls within the 25 to 34 age group, constituting 24.4 percent of the total user base.
Among these users, 12.4 percent are women. Additionally, for users aged 35 to 44, 9.6 percent are women, and 9.2 percent are men.
| Age Group | Female | Male | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18-24 | 10.20 | 8.60 | in % |
| 25-34 | 12.40 | 12 | in % |
| 35-44 | 9.60 | 9.20 | in % |
| 45-54 | 7.60 | 6.50 | in % |
| 55-64 | 6.60 | 5.10 | in % |
| 65+ | 7.50 | 4.70 | in % |
Source: Statista
How Does Facebook Make Money?
The primary source of income for Facebook is digital advertising. In 2023, Facebook made 134 billion US dollars.
Instagram: Photo And Video-sharing Hub
How Did Instagram Start?
Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger founded Instagram in October 2010. The idea for the platform originated when Systrom was working on an initial prototype called Burbn. When launched in 2010, the app got 25,000 users in one day.
In 2012, Meta recognized Instagram’s potential and acquired the platform for about $1 billion, a move that significantly expanded Instagram’s reach and resources.
The most significant competitor of Instagram is TikTok.
Instagram Users Statistics
Instagram has 2 billion monthly active users and 500 million daily active users. Most Instagram users prefer funny and creative content.
The most popular feature on Instagram is Stories.
| Content Type | Share of respondents | |
|---|---|---|
| Funny | 50 | in % |
| Creative | 46 | in % |
| Informative | 41 | in % |
| Relaxing | 37 | in % |
| Inspirational | 36 | in % |
| Engaging | 36 | in % |
| Trendy | 35 | in % |
| Exciting | 34 | in % |
| Relavant | 33 | in % |
| Helpful/how-to | 28 | in % |
Source: Statista
Instagram Users by Age Group and Gender
According to Statista, over 50% of the worldwide Instagram user base comprises individuals aged 34 years or younger.
| Age Group | Female | Male | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13-17 | 3.70 | 4.30 | in % |
| 18-24 | 13.90 | 16.90 | in % |
| 25-34 | 13.90 | 16.40 | in % |
| 35-44 | 8.10 | 7.60 | in % |
| 45-54 | 4.70 | 3.70 | in % |
| 55-64 | 2.60 | 1.70 | in % |
| 65+ | 1.50 | 1.10 | in % |
Source: Statista
Cristiano Ronaldo (@cristiano) is the most followed person on Instagram, with over 600 million followers, and Lionel Messi (@leomessi) is in second place with 500 million followers.
Country with the Highest Instagram Users
India has the world’s most prominent Instagram audience (362 million Instagram users), followed by the United States and Brazil at 170 and 135 million, respectively.
Interestingly, 92 percent of people in Brunei use Instagram, hence making Brunei the leading country in terms of Instagram audience reach.
| Country | Users (in millions) |
|---|---|
| India | 362.9 |
| United States | 169.65 |
| Brazil | 134.6 |
| Indonesia | 100.9 |
| Turkey | 57.1 |
| Japan | 55.45 |
| Mexico | 44.85 |
| United Kingdom | 33.1 |
| Germany | 30.35 |
| Argentina | 27.85 |
Source: Statista
Twitter: Real-time Microblogging Platform
X (Formerly Twitter)
Twitter, established in 2006, was co-founded by Jack Dorsey, Biz Stone, and Evan Williams as a microblogging platform.
Twitter initially allowed users to share their thoughts and updates in 140 characters, fostering real-time conversations globally.
Over the years, Twitter became a dynamic social media giant known for breaking news, facilitating discussions, and connecting diverse communities.
Elon Musk acquired Twitter in April 2023 and became X Corp.
How Many People Use X/Twitter?
X/Twitter has over 300 million monthly active users worldwide. Check out our dedicated article on X (Twitter) user statistics for a comprehensive analysis of Twitter trends and metrics.
LinkedIn: Professional Networking Platform
How Did LinkedIn Start?
LinkedIn was founded in December 2002 and officially launched in May 2003. The visionary minds behind the professional networking platform are Reid Hoffman, along with co-founders Allen Blue, Konstantin Guericke, Eric Ly, and Jean-Luc Vaillant.
LinkedIn is the pioneer professional social networking platform and is currently the world’s largest professional network on the internet.
Microsoft acquired LinkedIn in December 2016 for $26.2 billion.
LinkedIn Connections
LinkedIn has over 1 billion users in 200 countries.
LinkedIn has a global footprint spanning 36 offices and is accessible in 26 languages. The platform has over 18,500 employees. In Q3 of 2023, LinkedIn had over 450 million global newsletter subscriptions.
According to LinkedIn stats, 60 percent of LinkedIn users are aged between 25 and 34 years, while about 56 percent of LinkedIn users are men.
Bill Gates holds the highest following on LinkedIn.
LinkedIn Job Searches
Statistics from the professional networking website show that 65 million people use LinkedIn to search for jobs weekly, 28 million have added #Opentowork frames to their profiles, and six people get hired every minute on LinkedIn.
| Year | Basic subscription | Premium subscription |
|---|---|---|
| 2019* | 549.96 | 94.12 |
| 2020* | 586.49 | 114.22 |
| 2021* | 602.55 | 134.32 |
| 2022* | 561.41 | 154.42 |
| 2023* | 571.27 | 174.51 |
Source: Statista
In April 2022, there were 59 million companies with a LinkedIn Page, with 2.7 million actively posting weekly.
Additionally, since the launch of LinkedIn creator mode in March 2021, over 11 million members (about twice the population of Arizona) have activated it.
Country With The Most LinkedIn Users
North America has the highest number of LinkedIn users, with the United States having the most extensive LinkedIn user base of 200 million.
| Country | LinkedIn Users (in Millions) |
|---|---|
| United States | 214 |
| India | 120 |
| Brazil | 71 |
| United Kingdom | 38 |
| France | 29 |
Source: LinkedIn
A survey conducted in September 2023 in the United States revealed that most LinkedIn users had a high monthly household income.
LinkedIn For Marketers
Social media statistics show that LinkedIn is the third most crucial tool for global marketers and the second-best marketing platform for B2B marketers after Facebook.
Google has the highest LinkedIn following for an organization.
How Does LinkedIn Make Money?
LinkedIn’s annual revenue mainly comes from advertising, premium account subscriptions, and recruitment solutions. In Q3 2023, LinkedIn’s revenue surpassed $15 billion.
Pinterest: Visual Discovery Platform
How Did Pinterest Start?
Pinterest was founded in March 2010 by Ben Silbermann, Evan Sharp, and Paul Sciarra. Launched officially in 2010, Pinterest allows users to discover and save ideas through visual bookmarks known as “Pins.”
Pinterest is headquartered in San Francisco.
It has become an excellent platform for brands to establish their online presence, connect with their target audience, and promote their products and services.
Pinterest User Statistics
In 2023, the global monthly active user base on Pinterest reached an impressive 498 million.
Social media statistics show that 76 percent of Pinterest users, ‘pinners,’ are female, and the fastest-growing Pinterest audience is Gen Z and men.
Pinners watch about 1 billion videos a day. In December 2023, Pinterest.com had nearly 1.16 billion visits, making it one of the most visited sites.
| Month | Visitors (in millions) |
|---|---|
| 2023-07 | 1,051 |
| 2023-08 | 1,066 |
| 2023-09 | 1,034 |
| 2023-10 | 1,148 |
| 2023-11 | 1,121 |
| 2023-12 | 1,163 |
Source: Statista
Pinterest Engagement
Pinterest users save about 1.5 billion pins every week.
A striking 85% of weekly Pinterest users have purchased directly from a Pin.
Pinterest users can create up to 2,000 boards, create 200,000 pins, and maintain a limit of 50,000 user follows. However, there are no limits to the number of people a user can follow.
The United States has the most Pinterest users, with 84 million, followed by Brazil, with 28 million.
| Country | User (in millions) |
|---|---|
| United States | 84.60 |
| Brazil | 28.05 |
| Mexico | 19.45 |
| Germany | 15.88 |
| France | 10.65 |
| Canada | 8.44 |
| Italy | 8.08 |
| United Kingdom | 7.61 |
| Argentina | 7.09 |
| Spain | 7.01 |
| Japan | 6.93 |
Source: Statista
How Does Pinterest Make Money
Pinterest makes money through advertising, shopping features, and partnerships with e-commerce platforms and retailers.
In 2023, Pinterest made $3 billion in advertising revenue.
| Year | Revenue (in million U.S. dollars) |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 298.87 |
| 2017 | 472.85 |
| 2018 | 755.93 |
| 2019 | 1,142.76 |
| 2020 | 1,692.66 |
| 2021 | 2,578 |
| 2022 | 2,802.60 |
| 2023 | 3,055.07 |
Source: Statista
TikTok: Short-form Video Sensation
How Did TikTok Start?
TikTok emerged on the scene in September 2016. The company behind TikTok, ByteDance, was founded by Zhang Yiming in Beijing, China.
TikTok was initially launched under the name Douyin for the Chinese market before the international version, TikTok, was introduced in September 2017.
The platform quickly gained immense popularity and is currently accessible in 158 nations, with support for 57 different languages.
How Many People Are on TikTok?
TikTok have over 1.7 billion users in 2024 and is predicted to reach 2.25 billion by 2027.
Nearly 54 percent of the digital population in the United States use TikTok, accounting for around 150 million users.
Check our comprehensive blog on Who Uses TikTok in 2024 for in-depth TikTok statistics.
YouTube: Video-sharing Giant
How Did YouTube Start?
YouTube, the world’s largest video-sharing platform, was founded in February 2005 by three former PayPal employees – Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim. The company is headquartered in San Bruno, California.
The first video, “Me to the Zoo” was uploaded in April 2005 and has 310 million views.
In 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in stock.
YouTube User Statistics
After Google Search, YouTube is the second most visited website in the world. In 2022, 500 hours of video were uploaded every minute.
YouTube has 2.78 billion monthly active users.
| Month | Hours |
|---|---|
| Jun ’07 | 6 |
| Jan ’09 | 15 |
| May ’09 | 20 |
| Mar ’10 | 24 |
| Nov ’10 | 35 |
| May ’11 | 48 |
| Jan ’12 | 60 |
| May ’12 | 72 |
| May ’13 | 100 |
| Nov ’14 | 300 |
| Jul ’15 | 400 |
| May ’19 | 500 |
| Feb ’20 | 500 |
| Jun ’22 | 500 |
Source: Statista
Most Viewed YouTube Channels
T-Series is the most-viewed channel, surpassing 240 billion lifetime video views. Following closely is the popular children’s rhymes and songs channel Cocomelon, with 172 billion lifetime views.
| Channel | Views (in billions) |
|---|---|
| T-Series | 240.71 |
| Cocomelon – Nursery Rhymes | 172.12 |
| SET India | 155.13 |
| Sony SAB | 107.88 |
| Kids Diana Show | 98.07 |
| Like Nastya | 95.82 |
| Zee TV | 83.95 |
| Vlad and Niki | 82.56 |
| WWE | 80.45 |
| Colors TV | 66.57 |
Source: Statista
The “Baby Shark Dance” video achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first YouTube video to exceed 10 billion views and is currently the most viewed video with 14 billion lifetime views.
Most viewed content on YouTube is music and children-related content. Children in the UK spend about 50 minutes daily on YouTube, while those in the US spend 77 minutes.
Country With The Highest YouTube Users
India leads the world in YouTube users with an estimated 462 million, surpassing the United States, which holds the second position with 239 million users. In the United Kingdom, there are approximately 56.2 million YouTube users.
The United Arab Emirates had the highest YouTube penetration globally in 2023, with approximately 98 percent of the country’s digital population actively using the service. And second place? Israel with 92.7 percent!
Social Media Entrepreneurs
Some visionaries who envisioned and brought these social media companies to life include:
- Mark Zuckerberg co-founded Facebook and became the face of the social media revolution. As of February 2024, Zuckerberg’s net worth was estimated at $137.7 billion by Forbes, securing the fifth position of the wealthiest persons in the world.
- Jack Dorsey, the co-founder of X (formerly Twitter), is not just a tech entrepreneur but also an advocate for decentralized technology. The American Internet entrepreneur and philanthropist is worth $4.8 billion as of 2024.
- Kevin Systrom, the mind behind Instagram’s visual storytelling revolution, is a Stanford graduate with a degree in management science and engineering. Systrom is estimated to be worth $2.8 billion, according to a Forbes 2024 report.
- Elon Musk, a visionary entrepreneur and business magnate, is widely recognized for his transformative impact on various industries. He acquired Twitter and rebranded it to X. Elon Musk was the second richest person in the world, according to a Forbes report in February 2024, with a net worth of $182.6 billion.
- Zhang Yiming, a key figure in the global tech scene, is a Chinese entrepreneur and the founder of ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. Yiming is currently estimated to be worth $43.4 billion.
Social Media News
In the early days, social media was a platform for personal connections. However, with time, it has become a robust news source, influencing public discourse and shaping the narrative of global events.
Let’s look at some interesting social media statistics about social media as a source of news in 2023:
- Facebook remained the most popular social media network for news worldwide in 2023.
- Most social media users in Nigeria use social media as a news source.
- Social media is the least trusted source of news globally.
| Platform | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 36 | 32 | 30 | 28 | in % | |
| YouTube | 21 | 20 | 19 | 20 | in % | |
| 16 | 16 | 17 | 15 | 16 | in % | |
| 9 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 14 | in % | |
| 10 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | in % | |
| Facebook Messenger | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | in % |
| TikTok | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | in % | |
| Snapchat | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | in % |
Source: Statista
Social Media Marketing Statistics
Social media marketing has become an effective tool for changing how companies interact with customers. “Is your company on social media?” has become a common question in the current digital landscape. Let’s explore some social media marketing statistics:
- Twenty-nine percent of B2B and B2C global marketers say that Facebook is the social media platform delivering the highest return on investment (ROI) for the year.
- The amount spent on social media ads hit about 270 billion US dollars in 2023; by 2024, it is predicted to reach 300 billion dollars.
- The United States is the world’s largest social media ad market.
- 50.1% of marketers believe TikTok provides the highest ROI for influencer marketing with short-form video content.
| Platform | Share of respondents | |
|---|---|---|
| 89 | in % | |
| 80 | in % | |
| 64 | in % | |
| YouTube | 54 | in % |
| 44 | in % | |
| TikTok | 26 | in % |
Source: Statista
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