Social Media Facts & Statistics You Must Know


Published: 30 Sep 2025


The world is growing more quickly due to advanced technology. This technology plays a significant role in every field of life. Some virtual platforms, also a form of technology, are called social media. It helps people to do their work quickly without wasting time. Here are some questions that may bother you: 

  • Can we get information through social media?
  • Can we depend on social media?
  • Does it help in personal branding?
  • Can we use it for business growth?

You will get answers to all the questions below; let’s start.

Social Media Facts

In this article, we will describe the facts of all the popular social media platforms. Let’s take a sight at the main points.

Dive in with me!

General Facts about Social Media

Here are the well-researched and updated social media facts. Let’s take a closer look at the latest stats together:

  • There were 5.41 billion social media users globally at the start of July 2025 — that equals 65.7% of the global population. 
  • Over the past year, 241 million new users joined social media (~ 4.7 % growth). 
  • 95.7% of internet users (regardless of age) now use social media at least monthly. 
  • Among adults (18+), 88.9% are social media users. 
  • In 54 large economies, 96.5% of internet users (16+) use at least one social or messaging platform per month. 
  • A typical social media user uses or visits 6.84 different platforms per month (on average). 
  • Average time spent on social media is 18 hours 46 minutes per week (across platforms).
  • Globally, “social media consumption” totals ~14.5 billion hours per day across all users.

Based on self-reported usage (GWI, Q1 2025):

  • 56.6% of adult internet users had used Facebook in the past month 
  • 55.3% used YouTube in the past month 
  • 54.5% used Instagram in the past month 
  • 54% used WhatsApp monthly 
  • 40% used Messenger monthly 

Based on app-use logs / app intelligence data:

  • YouTube has the highest number of monthly active users (index = 100) 
  • WhatsApp ranks second (index ~ 87.6), Facebook third (~ 76.2) 
  • Instagram is ~ 71.7% of YouTube’s user base; TikTok ~ 53.8% in the same ranking metric 

Advertising reach (as reported by platforms / analyses):

  • YouTube’s monthly ad reach: ~2.54 billion people 
  • Facebook’s reported ad reach: ~2.36 billion
  • TikTok’s ad reach: ~1.94 billion 
  • Instagram’s ad reach: ~1.88 billion 
  • LinkedIn: ~1.29 billion (registered members) — though this is not monthly active user count 

Platform size & user counts:

  • Facebook: ~3.07 billion monthly active users 
  • WhatsApp: ~3.0 billion MAU 
  • Instagram: ~2.0 billion MAU 
  • TikTok: ad reach ~1.94 billion 
  • WeChat (Weixin): ~1.40 billion MAU 
  • Telegram: ~1.0 billion MAU 
  • Messenger: ~952 million ad reach (approx) 
  • Snapchat: ~900 million MAU 
  • Douyin: ~750 million MAU 
  • Kuaishou: ~712 million MAU 
  • Reddit: ~695 million ad reach 
  • Weibo: ~591 million MAU 
  • Pinterest: ~570 million MAU 
  • X (formerly Twitter): ~561 million ad reach 
  • QQ: ~534 million MAU

Top 10 Social Media Facts

Social media is the most powerful tool. Users can use it for more information, ideas, and thoughts. Many social media platforms have specific features and facts that users use according to their needs. Today I will tell you about the top 10 most popular social media platforms exciting facts.   

Here are the facts about social media platforms:

  1. Facebook 
  2. YouTube
  3. WhatsApp
  4. Instagram
  5. WeChat
  6. TikTok
  7. Twitter
  8. Telegram
  9. Snapchat
  10. Pinterest

Now, let’s explore all the social media social media statistics and facts in detail.

1. Facebook Facts 

Facebook is still the world’s largest social media network. It connects billions of people across countries, communities, and groups. The platform is used for sharing posts, videos, and running online businesses. Despite competition, it remains a top choice for social networking.

Here are some amazing facts about Facebook:

  • Facebook was launched on February 4, 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and his Harvard classmates.
  • Facebook was originally made to connect Harvard students.
  • Facebook has about 2.9 billion monthly active users (MAUs) in 2025.
  • ~2.11 billion daily active users (DAU).
  • ~68.7% of monthly users log in daily (mobile or desktop).
  • India leads in Facebook users with ~581.6 million users in 2025.
  • The 25-34 age group is the largest share (~31.1%) of Facebook users.
  • Facebook “Family” (Meta’s combined services) reaches ~3.98 billion monthly people.
  • ~2.11 billion people access Meta’s services daily (across FB, IG, WhatsApp, Messenger).
  • Facebook growth had a ~5.5% year-over-year increase in DAUs.
  • Around 37.35% of the world’s active internet users access Facebook daily.
  • Facebook has 3.07 billion MAUs, which is about 25.79% of world population logging in daily (when counting frequency).
  • ~80%+ of Facebook users engage via mobile devices predominantly.
  • Facebook’s user growth has slowed/plateaued in many mature markets (growth mostly in emerging markets).
  • Cristiano Ronaldo is the most-followed person on Facebook.
  • Facebook supports 112 languages.
  • Facebook is among the most used platforms for ad reach (its ad targeting reach covers billions).
  • In 2025, Facebook continues to invest in AI/ML for content ranking, misinformation detection, and ad optimization.
  • Facebook has high penetration in Southeast Asia, Latin America, India, parts of Africa.

2. YouTube Facts

YouTube is the biggest video-sharing platform in the world. People use it for entertainment, learning, and news. Creators can upload, stream live, and earn money from videos. It is popular with all age groups, from kids to seniors.

Here are some fantastic facts about YouTube: 

  • YouTube was launched on February 14, 2005 by Steve Chen, Chad Hurley, and Jawed Karim.
  • Its first video (“Me at the Zoo”) was uploaded on April 23, 2005.
  • Google bought YouTube in October 2006 for $1.65 billion.
  • ~2.70 billion people view content on YouTube (MAU scale) in 2025. 
  • YouTube added ~1.9 billion new users since early years (over time).
  • YouTube is commonly cited as having ~2.5+ billion monthly active users in multiple rankings.
  • Over 50% of YouTube watch time comes from mobile devices.
  • “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee is one of the most viewed videos.
  • YouTube is often the second largest social platform by user count globally.
  • Many content creators earn via ads, memberships, Super Chat, and platform monetization tools.
  • YouTube Shorts is being heavily pushed to compete with TikTok & Reels.
  • YouTube’s recommendation algorithm drives a large share of watch time.
  • Viewers use YouTube as a “search engine” for how-to videos, reviews, tutorials.
  • YouTube sees very high watch time per user (in many markets, tens of minutes/day).
  • YouTube is a major advertising platform with massive reach across demographics.
  • YouTube supports live streaming, long form content, short form, and community posts.
  • In many markets, YouTube is among the top 3 most visited websites.
  • YouTube has robust copyright / Content ID systems for rights holders.
  • YouTube’s monetization contributes significantly to Alphabet/Google’s revenue.

3. WhatsApp Facts 

WhatsApp is the most used messaging app globally. It allows free text, voice, and video calls over the internet. Businesses also use WhatsApp to connect with customers. It is simple, fast, and works on almost every smartphone.

WhatsApp Facts

Here are some fantastic facts about WhatsApp: 

  • WhatsApp was founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum (former Yahoo employees).
  • Facebook (Meta) acquired WhatsApp in 2014 for $19 billion.
  • ~3.0 billion monthly active users as of March 2025.
  • WhatsApp had one of the highest daily open rates (84.1% days) in late 2024.
  • Users opened WhatsApp ~930 times in a month in certain markets (power users).
  • WhatsApp web is highly searched (~514 million searches) as of April 2025.
  • WhatsApp is tied with Instagram as the third largest social platform by user base in some rankings.
  • Users check WhatsApp on average 20+ times a day.
  • WhatsApp offers end-to-end encryption for chats and calls.
  • The Status feature was launched in 2017 and now has 500M+ daily users.
  • WhatsApp is available in 60+ languages.
  • WhatsApp is part of Meta’s “family” of apps, allowing cross-platform flows (ads → chat).
  • WhatsApp Business is heavily used by small businesses for customer messaging.
  • Voice notes, group chats, and media sharing are major usage modes.
  • WhatsApp’s end-to-end encryption is a key privacy differentiator.
  • In many countries, WhatsApp is used for payment transfers (depending on regulation).
  • The app’s usage is especially strong in India, Latin America, and parts of Africa.
  • Many marketers use “click to WhatsApp” in ads to initiate conversations.
  • WhatsApp supports status/stories features (temporary posts).
  • WhatsApp’s growth is slower in saturated markets, growing mainly in developing markets.
  • WhatsApp is considered a primary channel for person-to-person commerce & support.

4. Instagram Facts 

Instagram is known for photos, short videos, and stories. It is widely used by young people and creators. Brands use Instagram to promote products with influencers. Its Reels feature makes it a strong rival to TikTok.

There are many facts about Instagram; a few of them are mentioned below:

  • In September 2025, Instagram hit 3.0 billion monthly active users (Meta CEO announcement).
  • Instagram’s ad reach is ~1.84 billion globally (April 2025 estimate).
  • Instagram’s audience grew ~25.3% year over year in a recent period (2024 data).
  • Instagram added ~5.5% more users year over year in one reported cycle.
  • 16.6% of global internet users aged 16-64 say Instagram is their favorite social platform.
  • In July 2025, Instagram.com was the 4th most visited website globally (~5.71 billion visits).
  • The average user opens Instagram ~61.9% of days (i.e. usage frequency).
  • Reels (short video) and DMs are key growth drivers for Instagram’s recent expansion.
  • Instagram was launched in 2010 by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger.
  • On the first day, 25,000 people joined Instagram.
  • The name Instagram comes from “Instant Camera” + “Telegram.”
  • Facebook bought Instagram in 2012 for $1 billion.
  • Instagram has about 2 billion monthly active users in 2025.
  • The heart emoji ❤️ is the most used emoji.
  • Pizza is one of the most posted foods.
  • Popular hashtags include #love, #instagood, #me, #cute, #follow.
  • Meta is testing defaults so that Reels load first on app launch in some markets (India, South Korea).
  • Instagram now includes Threads integration (text-based companion network).
  • Instagram is heavily used for influencer marketing & brand partnerships.
  • Instagram’s shopping / checkout features have expanded.
  • Instagram content is used widely for discovery and trend setting.
  • Algorithm mixes social graph + interest recommendations heavily.
  • Instagram is a core driver of visual content, especially among younger demographics.

5. WeChat Facts

Is WeChat used for messages, video, voice, and text chat? It is similar to the WhatsApp app with a unique “localized translation” feature. Like WhatsApp, a user can do video and audio calls and make a group of 500 people.

Here are some essential facts about WeChat:

  • WeChat has ~1.4 billion users globally in many platform rankings (dominantly in China).
  • WeChat was launched in 2011 by Tencent (not 2022).
  • It has about 1.3 billion monthly active users in 2025.
  • WeChat ranks among the top 5 social platforms worldwide.
  • In many rankings, WeChat has the highest user count among Chinese platforms included internationally.
  • WeChat functions as a “super app”: messaging + payments + mini programs + services.
  • WeChat Pay is deeply integrated into Chinese daily life (in-store, digital payments, transfers).
  • Mini Programs host many services, games, commerce within WeChat ecosystem.
  • WeChat’s user growth is more stable / slower due to saturation in its main market.
  • Many businesses / official accounts in China use WeChat as primary communication channel.
  • Content moderation and regulatory oversight on WeChat are strict due to Chinese laws.
  • WeChat is central to China’s digital infrastructure (identity, transport, government services).
  • WeChat is integrated with many state / civil services in China.
  • Cross-border versions exist to support overseas Chinese or users abroad.
  • WeChat’s messaging volumes are extremely high across China.
  • WeChat’s retention / stickiness is very strong due to integrated features.
  • WeChat’s user base is largely domestic (China) with limited global penetration.
  • WeChat mini-program developers number in the hundreds of thousands / millions.

6. TikTok Facts

TikTok is the most popular social network among the young generation. It is a Chinese social video-sharing app. Users can create, share, and watch short videos for around 15 seconds. The main motive for using TikTok is to present the world’s creativity, moments, and knowledge.

Here are some fantastic facts about TikTok:

  • TikTok is often reported to have ~1.94 billion monthly active users in rankings around 2025.
  • Another common estimate: 1.562 billion MAU in mid-2025 data sets.
  • TikTok is among the fastest-growing social platforms in the past several years.
  • In Pakistan, TikTok had ~66.9 million users aged 18+ in early 2025 (ad reach estimate).
  • TikTok’s advertisement reach in Pakistan was ~46.3% of adults aged 18+, ~57.8% of internet users in that country.
  • Between early 2024 and early 2025, TikTok’s ad reach in Pakistan increased by ~12.5 million (+23%).
  • TikTok is available in 150+ countries.
  • Its algorithm is famous for making videos go viral quickly.
  • Valued at $75+ billion, it’s one of the world’s top startups.
  • TikTok often has more than 1 billion users globally in many industry overviews.
  • Usage skews young, with high penetration among Gen Z.
  • TikTok’s algorithm is highly optimized for discovery and viral loops.
  • In many markets, TikTok is a leading source of content discovery, especially for music, trends.
  • TikTok invests heavily in measurement / attribution to prove ad performance.
  • ByteDance runs dual apps: TikTok (international) and Douyin (China) with differing features.
  • TikTok is a major platform for in-app commerce / creator monetization (live shopping, creator stores).
  • TikTok’s completion rates (watching full short videos) are very high compared to other formats.
  • TikTok continues to expand its ad and creator monetization suite globally.

7. Twitter / X

Twitter, now called X, is a platform for short posts and updates. It is widely used for news, politics, and public discussions. Celebrities, leaders, and brands use it to share views instantly. Under Elon Musk, X is adding more features like video and payments.

Here are some fantastic facts about Twitter:

  • Twitter was launched on March 21, 2006 by Jack Dorsey and team.
  • It rebranded to X in 2023.
  • Around 70% of users are male.
  • Average time spent is 3–4 minutes per visit.
  • About 350,000 tweets are sent per minute.
  • The Twitter bird’s name is Larry.
  • Many listings put X (formerly Twitter) at ~561 million monthly active users in 2025 rankings.
  • In other estimates, X may have ~619 million MAU.
  • X’s core strength is real-time content: news, commentary, trending topics.
  • X supports live audio (Spaces), media, tweets, and premium features.
  • X offers subscription / verified tiers (paid features).
  • X’s timeline can be chronological or algorithmic.
  • High-profile personalities (celebrities, politicians) often command huge follower counts.
  • X is used heavily for public discussion, announcements, and breaking news.
  • X has been central to discourse, sometimes controversies, due to policy changes.
  • X is a key channel for media, journalism, and social updates.
  • Advertising on X includes promoted tweets, trends, and accounts.
  • X is used by brands for rapid reaction marketing and trend engagement.
  • X has strong presence in tech, news, politics sectors.
  • X’s moderation, policy, verification changes are closely watched by users and regulators.
  • X is sometimes used as a “pulse” indicator of public sentiment and viral issues.

8. Telegram Facts 

Telegram is also like the WeChat and WhatsApp apps. It is used for sending and receiving messages. The two brothers created this app. Nikolai and Pavel drove; they were from a Russian country.

Some facts about Telegram are as follows:

  • Telegram is ranked ~1 billion MAUs in some 2025 platform summaries.
  • Many overviews still estimate Telegram at ~1 billion users in the “top apps” lists.
  • Telegram’s appeal includes large group chats, channels, bots, and broadcast features.
  • Telegram was founded in 2013 by Pavel Durov and his brother Nikolai.
  • It can be used on iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, and Linux.
  • Groups can host up to 200,000 members.
  • Channels can broadcast to unlimited subscribers.
  • 15+ billion messages are sent daily.
  • Telegram is popular for privacy and security.
  • Telegram allows large file sharing and persistent cloud storage.
  • Telegram Premium adds features: higher upload limits, custom emojis, etc.
  • Telegram is used heavily in regions where messaging app competition is intense.
  • Channels & public broadcasting on Telegram are major use cases, especially for media/crypto/news.
  • Telegram is popular for encryption, though only “secret chats” are end-to-end encrypted by default.
  • Bots / automation / APIs make Telegram a flexible platform for developers.
  • Telegram has high retention / engagement in many markets.
  • Telegram supports voice chats, live streaming inside groups & channels.
  • Telegram’s growth is enhanced when other platforms have controversies over privacy.
  • Telegram is often used for community coordination and niche topics.
  • Telegram has strong usage especially in Eurasia, Middle East, Latin America.
  • Telegram is increasingly monetizing via sponsored messages and premium features.

9. Snapchat Facts

Snapchat is popular for disappearing photos and fun filters. Young people use it daily to share quick moments. Features like Stories and Spotlight keep users engaged. It is also strong in AR lenses and creative tools.

Snapchat Facts

Here are some of the major facts about Snapchat: 

  • Snapchat was launched on September 16, 2011 by Evan Spiegel, Bobby Murphy, and Reggie Brown.
  • Snap is estimated to have ~900 million MAUs in many 2025 platform rankings.
  • Some sources (e.g., Statusbrew) claim Snapchat has ~850 million active users in 2025.
  • ~89% of Snapchat users also use Instagram (cross-platform overlap).
  • Around 400 million Stories are posted daily.
  • Over 60% of users are female.
  • Snapchat’s mascot is called Ghostface Chillah.
  • The app was originally named Picaboo.
  • Snapchat is very strong among younger demographic groups (teens and young adults).
  • Snapchat’s Spotlight (short video) competes with TikTok/Reels.
  • Snapchat has AR/augmented reality lenses as a differentiator.
  • Snap’s ad products include AR lens ads, Snap Ads, and Discover ads.
  • Snap Map is a feature used by many for location sharing/discovery.
  • Snapchat’s UI is camera-first, encouraging quick media sharing.
  • Discover & publisher content is a significant component of Snap’s media ecosystem.
  • Snapchat+ is its subscription tier offering extra features.
  • Snapchat’s monetization is heavily ad- and AR-based.
  • Snapchat has strong engagement metrics among users in key markets.
  • Many brands use Snap for youthful, experimental marketing.
  • Snapchat often tests new features in the AR/camera domain

10. Pinterest Facts

Pinterest is a platform for ideas and inspiration. People use it for recipes, fashion, travel, and home design. It is visual-first, built on pins and boards. Brands use Pinterest to reach shoppers with visual ads.

Here are some interesting facts about Pinterest:

  • Pinterest was founded in 2009 by Ben Silbermann, Paul Sciarra, and Evan Sharp.
  • Pinterest is often listed with ~570 million MAUs in 2025 rankings.
  • Pinterest’s user base skews female in many markets (historical stat).
  • ~46% of Pinterest users discover new brands or products on the platform.
  • 61% of Pinterest users say they go there when starting a new project (planning behavior).
  • Around 70% of users are female.
  • Pinterest is heavily used for visual discovery: home, recipes, fashion, DIY.
  • Pinterest sells ads focused on shopping/product discovery (catalogs, product pins)
  • Content on Pinterest has a long lifespan (pins can resurface months later).
  • Pinterest Lens (visual search) allows product identification from photos.
  • Pinterest’s ad tools focus on conversion lift and referral traffic.
  • Pinterest’s growth rate in 2024 was ~23.2% (audience growth).
  • Pinterest is one of the fastest growing among major social platforms in recent periods.
  • Pinterest is often used in planning phases of buying (ideation).
  • Brands & sellers use Pinterest for traffic and direct sales.
  • Pinterest usage tends to favor evergreen content (recipes, home decor).
  • Pinterest’s user growth is strong in markets outside the U.S. as well.

Final Note 

In this guide, we covered the social media facts and stats of 10 popular social media platforms. We shared the latest user statistics, explained how each platform is growing, and highlighted why people prefer them. All the data was carefully researched from trusted and updated sources to make sure you get the correct numbers. We hope this helped you understand which platforms are leading right now.

Thank you for reading, and goodbye!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about social media statistics.

Who invented social media?

In 1997, Andrew Weinreich was the founder of the first social media site that name was Six Degrees. He is also known as the father of social media because he introduces the virtual method of connecting people.

Which platform has the most active user?

Facebook remains the number-one social media platform by active users. As of 2025, it has about 3.07 billion monthly active users and 2.11 billion daily active users. You can communicate with your friends all around the world. Therefore it is essential.

Which is the old social media platform of the world?

The world’s first social media site was SixDegrees.com, introduced in 1997. It is useable after creating the profile on it, making a list of connections, and sending messages within networks.

What is the most harmful social media site?

Instagram is the most harmful social media platform that paralyzes young people’s mental health. This site is causing cyberbullying, depression, feelings of anxiety, and loneliness.

What are the social media statistics mental health?

Studies show heavy social media use can affect mental health. Too much screen time often leads to stress, anxiety, or poor sleep. Around 40% of young users report feeling pressure from online comparisons. At the same time, support groups on social apps also help many people feel connected and less alone.

What are the social media statistics global?

As of 2025, more than 5 billion people use social media worldwide. That’s over 60% of the world’s population. Facebook, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram remain the top global platforms. The average person spends nearly 2.5 hours daily on social media.

What are the social media video statistics?

Video is the most popular type of content on social media today. Short-form videos on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts drive the highest engagement. Over 80% of internet traffic in 2025 comes from video content. Brands now focus on video ads because users share them more than any other format.

What are the most common social media platform?

The most common social media platform which makes our life easy are as follows:

  • Facebook
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • Tiktok
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Snapchat
What are the advantages of using social media?

Social media has many advantages that make our work easy and connect us with different people. Some benefits of social media are as follows:

  • Source of knowledge
  • Building online community
  • Build your brand
  • Worldwide connectivity
  • Advertising and marketing
  • Up to date



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Ghulam Abbas

Engr Ghulam Abbas is one of the Best SEO Expert in Pakistan. He is teaching SEO Course with practical approach to thousands of students in the world. Now, he is also handling this SmSEO.com to share his practical knowledge with everyone.


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