This platform is the best example of how global social media concepts are able to adapt to local market preferences and regulatory requirements. To rank the top 50 social media platforms in the world for 2025, we used a multi-layered evaluation system. Learn key strategies, case studies, and tools like Slate that drive real engagement. You should now be able to identify the major social networks and have a basic understanding of the reach and power of social media.

Professional Networking Platforms

• As of January 2023, there are 4.76 billion active social media users around the globe, which means about 59% of the total global population uses social media.
• What is social media, and why has it become such a pivotal part of our daily lives?
• Globally it’s estimated that 4.89 billion people are using a form of social media in 2023, according to statistics from Statista.

Unlike traditional media such as newspapers, radio, and television, social media is a two-way communication channel. Social media refers to websites and applications dedicated to facilitating communication, community input, interaction, and content-sharing among users. These platforms are designed to enable users to create, share, and interact with content in real-time, fostering a sense of community and engagement. A social media site encompasses a variety of platforms, including social media sites, media-sharing networks, community-based networks, and review board networks.

By 2024, just over half (54%) of adults in the U.S. said they get their news from social media “sometimes” or “often.” Only 28% of U.S. adults say they “never” get the news from social media. Globally, only 22% of consumers get their news directly from news websites or apps, with younger Wolf Winner Online Casino news consumers the least likely to do so. Social media personalities, often referred to as “influencers”, are Internet celebrities who are sponsored by marketers to promote products and companies online. As an instance of technological convergence, various social media platforms adapted functionality beyond their original scope, increasingly overlapping with each other. In other cases, cyborgs spread fake news.39 Cyborgs may work as sock puppets, where one human pretends to be someone else, or operates multiple accounts, each pretending to be a person. They bounce between major apps like TikTok and smaller spaces like Discord or Reddit.

Use by individuals

In the early years, social media was trying to simply enable more accessible communication from a distance and ended up birthing a new era of communication technologies. The only professional-focused community on this list, LinkedIn was the original business networking tool and has maintained its social position throughout the last 20 years. Both users must agree to be first connections, but anyone can “follow” another member and see their public posts. In-platform messaging tools, comment sections and an interactive job board help professionals develop their networks and follow the careers of those they know. There are many forms of digital communication, but not all are considered social media.

Social proof, such as sharing user-generated content, testimonials, or reviews, further builds credibility and trust with potential customers. Beyond personal use, social media plays a critical role in modern communication, marketing, education, and activism. It empowers users to build networks, raise awareness, and access information instantly. However, it also brings challenges such as privacy concerns, misinformation, and digital addiction.

Social media enhances and extends human networks.6 Users access social media through web-based apps or custom apps on mobile devices. TikTok has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential social media platforms, particularly among younger audiences. With over a billion monthly active users globally, TikTok’s focus on short, engaging videos has transformed social media content creation and consumption. Its algorithm is designed to surface highly relevant, entertaining content, creating a highly personalized experience for each user. Its unique, video-centric approach highlights the growing importance of short-form content in social media strategies.

How Libraries Use Social Media to Engage Readers and Build Communities

Despite these complexities, social media remains a cornerstone of digital life, influencing culture, society, and economies worldwide. Since the early 2000s, social media has reshaped how people interact online, impacting community building, news, politics, entertainment, and advertising. Despite the downsides, including the spread of misinformation and child sexual exploitation, social media continues to grow each year. Posting content on social media, either sponsored by a business or funded through follower support, can also be a job in itself, separate from any outside work that the social media posts are promoting. These types of social media users are generally referred to as influencers or content creators.