The most used social media platforms in 2026 are Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and WhatsApp, each used by more than half of the world’s internet users aged 16 and over in any given month. TikTok is fifth among the global platforms. In total, about 5.79 billion social media user identities were active in April 2026, roughly 70% of the world’s population (DataReportal, Digital 2026 Mid-Year Update).
The ranking depends on how usage is measured. Survey data, which asks people what they used in the past month, puts Facebook first. App-usage data, which counts who actually opens each app, puts YouTube first by a wide margin. Both are shown below.
The most used social media platforms, ranked
| Rank | Platform | Internet users 16+ who used it last month | Latest company-reported figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56.3% | 3.07 billion monthly users (Meta’s last separate figure, Q4 2023) | |
| 2 | YouTube | 55.3% | Not published as monthly users |
| 3 | 54.6% | 3 billion monthly users (Meta, September 2025) | |
| 4 | 54.4% | More than 3 billion monthly users (Meta, April 2025) | |
| 5 | Messenger | 36.9% | Not published |
| 6 | TikTok | 36.0% | Not published as monthly users |
| – | Snapchat | – | 971 million monthly, 493 million daily (Snap, Q2 2026) |
| – | – | 640 million monthly (Pinterest, Q2 2026) | |
| – | Threads | – | 400 million monthly (Meta, August 2025) |
| – | – | 130.3 million daily (Reddit, Q2 2026) |
What each platform is used for
Facebook is still the platform the most people say they use. Its strength is breadth: groups, events, Marketplace and pages for local businesses keep it relevant to older users and to anyone selling locally. Meta stopped publishing separate user counts for its apps in 2024, so the 3.07 billion figure from late 2023 is the last official one.
YouTube
YouTube is the platform people actually open most. In Similarweb’s app data it leads every other social app, with an active user base more than 15% larger than WhatsApp’s, its nearest rival. It covers long-form video, Shorts, music and live streams, which is why it reaches almost every age group.
Instagram reached 3 billion monthly users in September 2025 and is the second most often named favourite platform in GWI’s survey, chosen by 16.4% of respondents. Reels, Stories and creator content drive most of its use, and it is a core channel for consumer brands. Ready-made Instagram post templates help small accounts publish consistently without a designer.
WhatsApp passed 3 billion monthly users in 2025. It is a messaging app first, but Channels, Communities and business messaging have made it a publishing and customer-service channel in markets such as India, Brazil and Indonesia.
TikTok
TikTok is used by 36% of internet users aged 16+ each month, and its own advertising tools report a monthly reach of well over 2 billion adults. Short vertical video is its format, and its recommendation feed lets new accounts reach large audiences without an existing following. Creators who need to produce clips quickly often use an AI video generator for drafts.
LinkedIn has more than 1.2 billion registered members, which counts accounts rather than active users. It is the default network for B2B marketing, recruiting and professional publishing.
X (formerly Twitter)
X is privately owned and no longer publishes audited user numbers. Third-party estimates for 2026 range widely, so treat any single figure with caution. It remains a fast channel for news, politics, sport and tech conversation.
Snapchat, Pinterest, Threads and Reddit
Snapchat reported 971 million monthly users in Q2 2026 and is strongest with teenagers and young adults. Pinterest reached a record 640 million monthly users in the same quarter and works as a visual search engine for planning and shopping. Threads, Meta’s text-based app, reported 400 million monthly users in August 2025. Reddit counted 130.3 million daily active uniques in Q2 2026, and its forums increasingly appear in search results for product and advice questions.
Social media vs social networks
The terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe different things. Social media is the content people publish and share, such as posts, videos and images. A social network is the set of connections between people that the content travels through. Most platforms are both: Instagram is a network of followers and a medium for photos and video.
Types of social media platforms
- General networks: Facebook, Instagram and X, used for all kinds of topics and audiences.
- Video platforms: YouTube and TikTok, built around watching and creating video.
- Messaging apps: WhatsApp, Messenger, Telegram and Snapchat, built around private and group conversation.
- Professional networks: LinkedIn, for careers, hiring and B2B content.
- Interest and discovery platforms: Pinterest and Reddit, organised around topics rather than friends.
How brands choose which platforms to use
Reach alone is a poor guide, because every large platform reaches billions. Brands usually pick by audience and format: LinkedIn for B2B decision-makers, TikTok and Snapchat for under-25s, Pinterest for purchase planning, and WhatsApp where customers already message businesses. Owned customers matter as much as new reach, and referral program examples show how existing customers can be turned into a source of new ones.
Questions about social media platforms
What is the most used social media platform in 2026?
Facebook, by survey: 56.3% of internet users aged 16+ used it in the past month. By actual app usage, YouTube is first.
How many people use social media?
About 5.79 billion social media user identities were active in April 2026, around 70% of the world’s population. Identities are not the same as unique people, because one person can hold several accounts.
Which social media platform is growing fastest?
Among platforms that publish figures, Reddit’s daily users grew 18% year on year to Q2 2026 and Pinterest’s monthly users grew 11%.
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