As we step into 2025, social media continues to dominate digital life, shaping communication, entertainment, and global culture. With over 5 billion users worldwide, platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp, and TikTok remain the core of online interaction.
This data-driven report explores the most popular social media platforms in 2025, backed by the latest verified statistics and insights from trusted industry sources, revealing how user engagement, platform reach, and regional trends define today’s digital ecosystem.
Most Popular Social Media Platforms Key Statistics
- Facebook leads with approximately 3.06 billion monthly active users as of 2024
- Global social media user identities reached 5.31 billion in April 2025, representing 64.7% of the world’s population
- YouTube recorded 2.53 billion monthly active users in January 2025
- TikTok users spend an average of 47 minutes daily on the platform, the highest among major social networks
- Social media adoption in the United States reached 73% penetration with 253 million users in January 2025
Global Usage Overview
In April 2025, there were approximately 5.31 billion social media user identities worldwide, accounting for about 64.7% of the global population. Another source reports that global social media growth is around 4.7% year-over-year, equating to approximately 72 million new users in early 2025.
| Metric | Value | Notes & Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Total social media user identities (global) | 5.31 billion | April 2025 estimate |
| Percentage of the global population | 64.7% | Global penetration rate |
| Year-over-year growth rate | ≈ 4.7% | Early 2025 estimate |
| Average daily time spent | ~2h 20m | Global average |
Social media penetration has surpassed half of the world’s population. Growth is moderate at approximately 5% per year, indicating the market’s maturation.
Daily usage time of around 2 hours and 20 minutes reflects heavy engagement globally, demonstrating how social platforms have become integral to daily digital routines.
Most Popular Social Media Platform Rankings in 2025
The social media landscape in 2025 is dominated by five major platforms, each serving distinct user needs and demographics. Here are the leading platforms by user base and their key statistics for 2024-25.
Facebook (Meta)
Facebook remains the largest social network globally with approximately 3.06 billion monthly active users. The platform’s growth has slowed compared to emerging competitors, suggesting market saturation in developed regions.
| Platform | Monthly Active Users (MAU) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ~3.06 billion | Global MAU in 2024 |
YouTube (Google)
YouTube has 2.53 billion monthly active users as of January 2025 and remains a top platform for content consumption. The platform recorded a 1.6% increase in ad-reach over the past year from January 2024 to January 2025.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Active Users | 2.53 billion | January 2025 estimate |
| Growth in ad-reach over the past year | +1.6% | January 2024 to January 2025 |
WhatsApp (Meta)
WhatsApp, while primarily a messaging app, is one of the most used platforms globally with approximately 2.95 billion monthly active users in mid-2025. The platform is projected to reach 3.14 billion users by the end of 2025.
Its adoption continues to grow steadily across regions, particularly in emerging markets where mobile-first communication tools are essential.
Instagram (Meta)
Instagram reached approximately 2.0 billion monthly active users in 2025. The platform remains very popular, especially among younger audiences, and is particularly well-suited for image and video-based social use.
The largest user age group is 18-24, representing 31.7% of Instagram’s total user base.
TikTok (ByteDance)
TikTok maintains approximately 2.0 billion monthly active users according to 2025 estimates. The platform’s growth remains strong, especially among younger demographics.
| Platform | Monthly Active Users | Average Daily Time |
|---|---|---|
| TikTok | ~2.0 billion | ~47 minutes |
Users spend the highest average daily time among major platforms at approximately 47 minutes, demonstrating exceptional engagement rates.
Most Popular Social Media Comparative Analysis
Here’s a comparative ranking of major social media platforms and their known user counts for early 2025.
| Rank | Platform | Estimated Users | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ~3.06 billion MAU | 2024 data | |
| 2 | YouTube | ~2.53 billion MAU | January 2025 |
| 3 | ~2.95 billion MAU | Mid-2025 estimate | |
| 4 | ~2.0 billion MAU | 2025 data | |
| 5 | TikTok | ~2.0 billion MAU | 2025 estimate |
These five platforms dominate global social media usage. There is overlap in functionality including messaging, feed, and video features, but user bases remain distinct.
The estimates are from different sources, so direct comparisons should be made cautiously.
Regional Highlights – United States
The United States recorded 253 million social media users in January 2025, representing 73.0% penetration of the total population. This marks an increase of 14 million users, or 5.9% growth, from January 2024 to January 2025.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Social media users in the US | 253 million | January 2025 estimate |
| Penetration of the US population | 73.0% | High adoption rate |
| Growth Jan 2024 to Jan 2025 | +14 million (+5.9%) | Year-over-year increase |
U.S. social media adoption remains high at approximately 73% of the population. Growth is moderate at around 6% per year.
Platforms may be reaching saturation in mature markets such as the United States, where desktop and mobile integration continues to evolve.
Platform Engagement & Market Share
Facebook maintains a mobile-device market share of approximately 70.35% globally in 2025. Social media users worldwide spend an average of 2 hours and 21 minutes daily across platforms.
| Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Facebook mobile-device market share (global, 2025) | ~70.35% | Mobile devices share |
| Social media average daily use globally | ~2h 21m | February 2025 |
Even though growth slows, heavy engagement persists across major platforms. Facebook maintains a dominant share on mobile devices, although its share may vary for specific device types.
The time spent suggests that social media remains a primary digital activity for many people worldwide.
Notable Trends in 2025
Video-first content, especially short-form clips, is increasingly dominating the market. Younger users aged 18-24 rely heavily on social video networks for news, with approximately 44% using these platforms as primary news sources.
Messaging and private-group platforms like WhatsApp continue huge adoption, but are often categorized differently from traditional feed-based social networks.
The major social platforms are evolving rapidly. Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube are investing more in Reels or short-form video to compete with TikTok’s format and engagement model.
Growth in newer platform reach is faster than in long-established ones. Instagram’s ad reach grew by 5.5% year-over-year in early 2025, compared with YouTube’s 1.6% increase.
FAQ
How many people use social media in 2025?
Approximately 5.31 billion people use social media globally in 2025, representing 64.7% of the world’s population. This marks a 4.7% year-over-year increase, adding about 72 million new users.
What is the most popular social media platform in 2025?
Facebook is the most popular social media platform with 3.06 billion monthly active users. YouTube follows with 2.53 billion users, while WhatsApp has 2.95 billion users as of 2025.
How much time do people spend on social media daily?
The global average is 2 hours and 20 minutes daily. TikTok users spend the most time at 47 minutes per day on the platform, reflecting high engagement rates among younger demographics.
Which social media platform is growing fastest in 2025?
Instagram shows the fastest ad-reach growth at 5.5% year-over-year in early 2025. TikTok also maintains strong growth, particularly among users aged 18-34, though from a smaller base.
What percentage of Americans use social media?
Approximately 73% of the U.S. population uses social media, totaling 253 million users as of January 2025. This represents a 5.9% growth rate from the previous year.
Summary
In 2025, the term most popular social media is well-represented by Facebook with 3.06 billion monthly active users, YouTube with 2.53 billion users, WhatsApp with 2.95 billion users, Instagram with 2.0 billion users, and TikTok with 2.0 billion users.
Global social media usage reached 64.7% of the world’s population, with moderate growth of 4 to 5% annually. Engagement remains high, with users spending over two hours per day on social platforms.
Regionally, mature markets like the U.S. exhibit high penetration at 73% and slower growth, while emerging regions continue to offer growth opportunities. These statistics reflect the current state of social media in 2025.
For any updates or niche platforms, it is recommended to consult and compare additional data sources.
Sources
DataReportal – Global Digital Insights
Business of Apps – Facebook Statistics