Top 31 Social Media Platforms (October 2023)

This list includes the most popular social media platforms.

We ranked social networks by number of monthly users, and traffic.

The traffic is estimated using the latest data available for September 2023. Estimates of monthly active users are calculated using the most recent reports for each platform.

(Traffic data was obtained using Semrush and Similarweb).

What Is The #1 Most Popular Social Media Platform?

Based on the most recent data, Facebook reigns supreme as the leading social media platform globally. Boasting an impressive 3.03 billion monthly active users, it encompasses 37% of the global population who engage with the platform at least once a month. Following closely is WhatsApp, securing its position as the second most frequented social network with 2.78 billion users, making it the top messaging platform.

Platforms centered around bite-sized video content, such as YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok, are witnessing rapid growth. Additionally, messaging apps like Facebook Messenger and Telegram have ascended the popularity ranks in recent years.

Top 32 Most Popular Social Media Websites

This list contains many big social media names, such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (X).

In this article, we will highlight some of the most popular social networks that are experiencing a growth in popularity right now.

1. Telegram

5-year search growth: 379%

Search growth status: Exploding

Monthly Active Users: 700 million

Monthly Traffic (Global): 290,500,000

Description: 

Telegram is a cloud-based instant messaging app that focuses on speed and security. Launched in 2013 by Nikolai and Pavel Durov, the founders of the Russian social network VKontakte (VK), Telegram quickly gained popularity due to its emphasis on encryption and privacy.

Key Features:

1. End-to-End Encryption: Telegram offers secret chats with end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and the recipient can read the messages. This means that even Telegram cannot access the content of these chats.
2. Cloud-Based: Unlike many other messaging apps, Telegram is cloud-based, which allows users to access their messages from multiple devices simultaneously.
3. Groups and Channels: Telegram supports large group chats with up to 200,000 members. It also introduced the concept of “channels” where users can broadcast messages to an unlimited number of subscribers.
4. Bots: Telegram allows developers to create bots, which are accounts operated by software that can perform a wide range of functions, from sending reminders to integrating with external services.
5. File Sharing: Telegram supports sharing of files up to 2 GB each, which is considerably larger than many other messaging platforms.
6. Stickers and GIFs: The platform supports a wide range of stickers and GIFs, allowing users to express themselves in a fun and creative way.
7. Open API: Telegram provides an open API and protocol, which allows developers to build their own customized apps based on its platform.

Privacy Concerns: While Telegram is praised for its encryption capabilities, it has also faced criticism. By default, messages are not end-to-end encrypted; users have to opt into “secret chats” for this feature. Additionally, its homegrown encryption protocol, MTProto, has been a subject of debate among security experts.

Popularity: Over the years, Telegram has become especially popular in countries with strict censorship laws or during political events, as it offers a platform for free expression without government interference.

In summary, Telegram is a versatile messaging platform known for its emphasis on security and privacy. Its unique features and commitment to user freedom have made it a popular choice among users worldwide.

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2. TikTok

5-year search growth: 4,550%

Search growth status: Exploding

Monthly Active Users: 1.67 billion

Monthly Traffic (Global): 3,200,000,000

Description: 

TikTok is a social media platform primarily known for its short-form video content, where users can create, share, and discover 15-second videos set to music. Originating from China, the app was launched internationally as TikTok in 2017 by ByteDance, a Beijing-based tech company. It quickly gained immense popularity among younger audiences and has since become a significant cultural phenomenon.

Key Features:

1. Short-Form Videos: The core of TikTok is its 15-second video format, though users can also create videos up to 60 seconds in length. These videos often feature dancing, singing, comedy, and various challenges.
2. Music Integration: Users can overlay a wide range of songs and sounds onto their videos, making music a central component of the TikTok experience.
3. Algorithmic Feed: TikTok’s “For You Page” (FYP) uses a sophisticated algorithm to present users with a curated feed of videos based on their interactions, ensuring a personalized experience.
4. Effects and Filters: TikTok offers a variety of augmented reality effects, filters, and editing tools, allowing users to enhance their videos creatively.
5. Duets and Stitches: These features allow users to respond to or interact with other videos, fostering community engagement and collaboration.

Cultural Impact:

1. Trends and Challenges: TikTok has become a hub for viral trends and challenges, influencing popular culture, fashion, and music.
2. Music Industry Influence: Several songs have gained popularity or charted as a direct result of their presence on TikTok.
3. Diverse Communities: The platform hosts a wide range of niche communities, from cooking to education, allowing for diverse content discovery.

Controversies and Concerns:

1. Data Privacy: TikTok has faced scrutiny over data privacy concerns, especially regarding its handling of user data and its ties to China.
2. Content Moderation: Like other social platforms, TikTok has been criticized for its content moderation policies, especially concerning political content and potential censorship.
3. Youth Safety: Given its young user base, there are concerns about the safety of minors on the platform and the potential for exposure to inappropriate content.

In summary, TikTok is a dynamic social media platform that has reshaped online content consumption with its short, engaging video format. While it has faced its share of controversies, its influence on global culture, especially among younger generations, is undeniable.

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3. Rumble

5-year search growth: 4,900%

Search growth status: Exploding

Monthly Active Users: 78 million

Monthly Traffic (Global): 163,600,000

Description:

Rumble is a video-sharing platform that was founded in 2013 by Chris Pavlovski. It was initially introduced as an alternative to major video platforms like YouTube, emphasizing creator monetization and a commitment to free speech. Over the years, Rumble has gained traction, especially among users and creators who felt marginalized or censored on other platforms.

Key Features:

1. Monetization: Rumble provides various monetization options for creators, often touting more favorable revenue-sharing terms compared to some other platforms.
2. Content Discovery: The platform uses a combination of user curation and algorithms to promote videos, aiming to give a broader range of content a chance to be seen.
3. Rights Management: Rumble offers a video licensing system, helping creators manage and monetize their content rights.
4. Diverse Content: Like other video platforms, Rumble hosts a wide range of content, from news and politics to entertainment and hobbies.

Popularity and User Base:

1. Alternative Platform: Rumble has positioned itself as an alternative to mainstream video platforms, attracting creators and users who prioritize free speech and are concerned about perceived biases or censorship elsewhere.
2. Growth: Particularly in the late 2010s and early 2020s, Rumble saw an influx of users and creators, some of whom were prominent figures banned or demonetized on other platforms.

Controversies and Criticisms:

1. Content Moderation: While Rumble promotes itself as a platform championing free speech, it has faced challenges and criticisms regarding content moderation, especially when it comes to misinformation or controversial topics.
2. Political Leanings: Some critics have argued that Rumble caters more to conservative audiences, though the platform itself emphasizes its commitment to being a space for all voices.

In summary, Rumble is a video-sharing platform that has positioned itself as an alternative to mainstream platforms, emphasizing creator rights, monetization, and free speech. Its growth, especially in politically charged climates, showcases the demand for diverse online spaces where users can share and consume content.

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4. Discord

5-year search growth: 233%

Search growth status: Regular

Monthly Active Users: 154 million

Monthly Traffic (Global): 658,200,000

Description: 

Discord is a communication platform initially designed for gamers but has since evolved to cater to a wide range of communities and groups. Launched in 2015 by Jason Citron and Stanislav Vishnevskiy, Discord offers voice, video, and text communication channels, making it a versatile tool for both casual and organized interactions.

Key Features:

1. Servers and Channels: Users can create “servers” (essentially private communities) and within those servers, set up different “channels” for specific topics or purposes. These channels can be text-based or voice-based.
2. Direct Messaging: Beyond servers, Discord allows for direct messaging between users, enabling private one-on-one or group chats.
3. Bots and Integrations: Discord supports a wide range of bots and integrations, allowing server administrators to automate tasks, play music, manage community interactions, and integrate with other services.
4. Rich Presence: This feature allows game developers to display detailed information about a user’s in-game status within Discord, enhancing the platform’s gaming-centric capabilities.
5. Video and Screen Sharing: Users can engage in video calls or share their screens, making Discord suitable for everything from casual conversations to more formal meetings or presentations.
6. Customization and Roles: Server administrators can define roles with specific permissions, allowing for detailed customization of user capabilities within a server.

Popularity and Use Cases:

1. Beyond Gaming: While Discord started with a focus on gamers, it has grown to host a variety of communities, including study groups, hobbyists, businesses, and more.
2. Educational and Work Settings: With the rise of remote work and learning, many have turned to Discord as a platform for virtual collaboration and classes.
3. Live Events: Some content creators use Discord to host live events, Q&A sessions, or community interactions in tandem with platforms like Twitch or YouTube.

Controversies and Concerns:

1. Content Moderation: Like many online platforms, Discord has faced challenges related to content moderation, especially concerning hate speech or harmful communities. The platform has taken steps over the years to address these issues and improve its moderation tools.
2. Safety Concerns: Given its wide user base, including many younger users, there have been concerns about safety and potential misuse. Discord has implemented various safety features and guidelines to help address these concerns.

In summary, Discord is a dynamic communication platform that, while rooted in the gaming community, has expanded its reach to cater to a diverse range of users and purposes. Its flexibility and range of features have made it a popular choice for both casual and organized online interactions.

5. WhatsApp

5-year search growth: 169%

Search growth status: Exploding

Monthly Active Users: 2.7 billion

Monthly Traffic (Global): 2,600,000,000

Description:

WhatsApp is a widely-used messaging app that allows users to send text messages, voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, and other media. Founded in 2009 by Brian Acton and Jan Koum, former employees of Yahoo!, WhatsApp quickly rose to prominence due to its simplicity, lack of advertisements, and focus on privacy. In 2014, Facebook acquired WhatsApp for $19 billion, making it one of the largest tech acquisitions to date.

Key Features:

1. End-to-End Encryption: One of WhatsApp’s defining features is its end-to-end encryption, ensuring that only the sender and recipient can read the content of messages. This encryption applies to all forms of communication on the app.
2. Group Chats: WhatsApp allows users to create group chats with up to 256 members, facilitating communication among friends, families, and teams.
3. Voice and Video Calls: Beyond text messaging, users can make voice and video calls, both one-on-one and in groups.
4. Status Updates: Similar to “stories” on other platforms, WhatsApp’s “Status” feature allows users to share text, photos, videos, and GIFs that disappear after 24 hours.
5. Web and Desktop Versions: While primarily a mobile app, WhatsApp also offers a web version and desktop applications, allowing users to stay connected across devices.
6. File Sharing: Users can send documents, images, videos, and other files through the platform, making it versatile for both personal and professional communication.

Popularity and Impact:

1. Global Reach: WhatsApp is especially popular in many countries outside the U.S., including India, Brazil, and parts of Europe. Its minimal data usage made it a preferred choice in regions with limited or expensive internet access.
2. Business Integration: With the introduction of “WhatsApp Business” in 2018, the platform expanded its reach to businesses, allowing them to communicate with customers and clients directly.

Controversies and Concerns:

1. Privacy Concerns: Despite its encryption, WhatsApp has faced scrutiny, especially after its acquisition by Facebook. Concerns primarily revolve around data sharing between WhatsApp and its parent company.
2. Misinformation: The platform has been used to spread misinformation or rumors, leading to real-world consequences in some cases. WhatsApp has taken steps to address this, such as limiting the forwarding of messages.
3. Regulatory Challenges: In various countries, WhatsApp has faced regulatory challenges, either due to its encryption features or its potential role in spreading misinformation.

In summary, WhatsApp is a prominent messaging app known for its simplicity and focus on privacy. Its acquisition by Facebook and its vast global user base have positioned it as a major player in the world of digital communication.

6. Reddit

5-year search growth: 96%

Search growth status: Exploding

Monthly Active Users: 430 million

Monthly Traffic (Global): 6,200,000,000

Description:

Reddit, often referred to as “the front page of the internet,” is a social news aggregation, web content rating, and discussion platform. Founded in 2005 by Steve Huffman and Alexis Ohanian, Reddit allows users to submit content, such as text posts, links, and images, to a forum where other users can upvote or downvote them. Content is organized into areas of interest called “subreddits,” each catering to a specific topic or theme.

Key Features:

1. Subreddits: Reddit is composed of thousands of subreddits, each dedicated to specific topics or interests. Examples include r/news, r/science, r/funny, and many niche communities.
2. Voting System: Content on Reddit is prioritized based on a voting system. Posts and comments that receive upvotes rise to the top, while those with downvotes can become less visible.
3. Comments: Each post on Reddit has an associated comment section where users can discuss, debate, and share their thoughts on the topic.
4. Awards: Users can give awards, often purchased with real money, to posts or comments they find particularly valuable or noteworthy.
5. AMAs (Ask Me Anything): A popular feature where individuals, often experts or celebrities, answer questions from the Reddit community.

Popularity and Impact:

1. Diverse Communities: From hobbies to academic subjects, from TV shows to personal experiences, there’s likely a subreddit for any topic imaginable.
2. Cultural Influence: Many internet trends, memes, and viral content have their origins or gain significant traction on Reddit.
3. Information and Support: Many users turn to Reddit for advice, information, or support on a wide range of topics, benefiting from the collective knowledge and experiences of the community.

Controversies and Concerns:

1. Content Moderation: Due to its commitment to free speech, Reddit has faced challenges related to content moderation, including the presence of hate speech or harmful communities. Over the years, Reddit has taken action to ban or quarantine certain subreddits that violate its policies.
2. Misinformation: Like other platforms, Reddit can be a source of misinformation or unverified claims, especially in rapidly evolving situations.
3. Privacy and Anonymity: While many users value Reddit’s relative anonymity, concerns have arisen over the years about doxxing (revealing personal information about someone without their consent) or other privacy violations.

In summary, Reddit is a vast and diverse platform that offers a unique blend of content aggregation and community discussion. Its structure allows for deep dives into specific interests and provides a space for community-driven content and discourse.

7. Douyin

5-year search growth: 1,975%

Search growth status: Exploding

Monthly Active Users: 743 million

Monthly Traffic (Global): 47,000,000

Description: 

Douyin is the Chinese version of the popular short-video app known internationally as TikTok. Both are owned by ByteDance, a Beijing-based tech company. Launched in 2016, Douyin quickly became a cultural phenomenon in China, allowing users to create, share, and discover short music videos, often lasting 15 seconds.

Key Features:

1. Short-Form Videos: At the heart of Douyin is its 15-second video format, though users can also create longer videos. These videos often feature dancing, lip-syncing, comedy sketches, and various challenges.
2. Music Integration: Users can overlay a wide range of songs onto their videos, making music a central component of the Douyin experience.
3. Algorithmic Feed: Douyin uses a sophisticated algorithm to present users with a curated feed of videos based on their interactions, ensuring a personalized experience.
4. Effects and Filters: Douyin offers a plethora of augmented reality effects, filters, and editing tools, allowing users to enhance their videos creatively.
5. E-commerce Integration: Unlike TikTok, Douyin has a more integrated e-commerce system, allowing users to shop directly from videos, making it a powerful platform for influencer marketing and online sales in China.

Popularity and Impact:

1. Cultural Influence: Douyin has significantly influenced pop culture in China, with many trends, songs, and challenges originating from the platform.
2. Diverse User Base: The app appeals to a wide demographic, from young users to older generations, all of whom contribute to its diverse content.
3. Marketing Power: Given its vast user base and integrated e-commerce capabilities, Douyin has become a crucial platform for brands and influencers in China.

Differences from TikTok:

While Douyin and TikTok share the same parent company and have similar core functionalities, they are distinct apps. Douyin is tailored for the Chinese market, with features, content, and regulations that align with local preferences and government requirements. In contrast, TikTok is designed for international audiences outside of China.

In summary, Douyin is a dominant short-video platform in China, akin to TikTok’s global presence. Its blend of entertainment, music, and e-commerce has made it a central part of digital culture in China.

Conclusion

That concludes our list of the world’s most popular social media networks.

Big brands like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube have all pivoted to short-form video content to keep users engaged, like TikTok. This content and messaging apps like Telegram, Whatsapp, and Discord are growing and popular and worth keeping an eye on throughout 2023.