With so many social media apps vying for your attention, which ones are worth it?
Which are the best of the best?
In this post, we answer these questions by showing you which apps and platforms stand out from the pack (so you can ignore the rest).
And we’ll start with the one everyone keeps talking about…
1. X/Twitter: The Pulse of the Internet
Monthly active users: 368 million
X (Formerly Twitter) is valuable because of its immediacy and brevity. The popular social media platform has become the go-to place for the latest news, making it an excellent tool for brand positioning.
A crucial tip is to take advantage of X’s hashtag feature — this can catapult your tweets into trending topics and increase their reach to X users.
X’s Lists feature also allows you to categorize accounts, helping you keep track of competitors, industry leaders, or key influencers in your sector. This can provide valuable insights into trending topics, customer feedback, or strategies that you can implement in your own business.
2. Facebook: The Unstoppable Giant
Monthly active users: 3 billion
Facebook, a titan in the realm of social media, continues its reign with unparalleled reach and functionality. Aside from the simple, intuitive pleasure of keeping up with friends and family, Facebook is also an extensive social media marketing tool.
If you’re a business owner, you can use the platform’s sophisticated targeting options to leverage demographic information, user interests, and behaviors to reach your target audience.
One key feature to explore is Facebook Groups — whether you’re joining existing groups relevant to your industry or starting your own, this feature offers a sense of community, engagement, and visibility that can lead to increased brand awareness and customer loyalty.
3. YouTube: The Video Behemoth
Monthly active users: 2.68 billion
YouTube, the unparalleled king of video content, serves as a platform for everything from educational content to entertainment.
Businesses can take advantage of YouTube’s broad user base and powerful search engine (second only to Google). To maximize your channel’s effectiveness, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is critical.
Pay attention to your video titles, descriptions, and tags to ensure they are keyword-optimized. Creating engaging playlists and linking to them at the end of your videos can keep viewers on your channel longer.
A top tip is to utilize YouTube’s Community Tab (once you reach 1,000 subscribers) to engage with your audience through text updates, polls, and more.
4. Instagram: A Visual Powerhouse
Monthly active users: 2.35 billion
Instagram is where aesthetics and business collide. This visually-driven platform has become an essential tool for brands, artists, and influencers alike.
Plus, Instagram shopping, a feature that allows a social media user to buy products directly from your posts or Instagram story, is a must-try for businesses.
Instagram’s algorithm favors engagement, so consider creating polls or questions in your stories or Instagram reels to keep your target audience engaged and increase your visibility.
A pro tip? Utilize the power of hashtags.
They can significantly expand your content’s reach and visibility, and connect you with like-minded users and potential customers.
5. WhatsApp: The Global Communicator
Monthly active users: 2.24 billion
WhatsApp, a widely-used social network app, is a star in the realm of instant messaging. Embraced by users all over the world, it’s a game-changer for maintaining personal and professional relationships.
You can always use WhatsApp to chat with friends, share pictures, or even engage in group discussions, but have you heard of WhatsApp Business?
This is where it gets even more interesting.
With WhatsApp Business, small businesses have an interactive platform to connect directly with their customers, send product updates, and even provide customer service. It also allows businesses to create a catalog to showcase their products or services.
Talk about a mini mobile shopfront right within an app!
6. TikTok: The Viral Sensation
Monthly active users: 1.6 billion
TikTok, the fresh social media app on the block, has seized global attention, especially among younger audiences. Its short, snappy videos and ever-evolving trends make it a potent entertainment powerhouse.
Driven by user creativity, TikTok lets users create and participate in massively popular trends.
Have you ever wondered how those viral dance challenges come about? Well, all it takes is one innovative user with a catchy move, and soon enough, millions are joining in from all corners of the globe.
Try your hand at creating your first fun TikTok video; it’s not just a hoot, it’s an exercise in creativity.
And the best part?
You never know if you could be the next viral sensation!
7. Snapchat: The Ephemeral Wonder
Monthly active users: 750 million
Snapchat, favored among youthful internet users, thrives on instant messaging, but with a twist: messages and pictures vanish after viewing.
The ephemeral nature of the app lends a sense of fleeting fun to each interaction, the digital version of whispering secrets that stay private.
The platform also offers quirky lenses and filters for the creative and playful user.
Ever dreamt of swapping faces with your pet or becoming a cartoon character? Snapchat makes it possible. Engage with friends in a light-hearted way by sending a lens-induced giggle!
8. Telegram: The Secure Messenger
Monthly active users: 700 million
When it comes to instant messaging, Telegram Messenger sets the standard. A standout feature of this popular app is its emphasis on security and speed.
But it’s not just about secure conversations, Telegram extends its usability far beyond just messaging.
For example, did you know you can create a public channel on Telegram?
This can serve as a newsfeed to share updates with your followers, a space to broadcast your thoughts, or even a dedicated channel for your business updates.
And Telegram even offers a file-sharing feature that supports large file sizes, allowing users to send ebooks, high-resolution photos, or lengthy videos in just a few taps.
9. Pinterest: The Creative Catalog
Monthly active users: 450 million
Pinterest stands alone as a unique social media app; it’s an endless reservoir of ideas, spanning from home decor concepts to enticing recipes.
This platform allows you to not just visualize your dreams but to design them. Think about your ultimate dream home: with a simple search, you can find an array of interior designs, architectural inspirations, and even DIY hacks.
Why not create different boards for each room of your future house?
By creating an inspiration board, you not only organize your ideas, but you’ll also discover new ones you might never have stumbled upon.
10. Reddit: The Front Page of the Internet
Monthly active users: 430 million
Reddit, an favorite social media site among advice askers and givers, flourishes on the strength of community discussion and user-generated content. It’s like a virtual town square where diverse topics — from scientific discoveries to the latest memes — are dissected and discussed.
From discussing the merits of pineapple on pizza to sharing theories on the latest popular TV series, you can find all kinds of discussions happening on Reddit. And Reddit is not just about debating — subreddits like r/upliftingnews and r/wholesomememes also offer much-needed palate cleansers from the often hectic news cycle.
To get started on Reddit, find a subreddit that aligns with your interests and join in the conversation.
Delve into Reddit, and you might just find your new online tribe!
11. LinkedIn: The Professional Network
Monthly active users: 310 million
LinkedIn is not just a platform for job seekers. It’s also a hub for thought leadership, industry news, and professional networking.
For example, to build a following, you could consider writing LinkedIn articles on topics in your field of expertise. These can position you as an authority in your industry and attract connections and opportunities.
Not to mention, LinkedIn’s advanced search tool is a goldmine for finding potential leads or partnerships — you can filter people by location, company, industry, and more to find exactly who fits best with your project.
The social media platform also provides detailed analytics to help you understand which of your posts resonate most with your audience, and more.
12. Discord: The Community Haven
Monthly active users: 154 million
Discord is more than just another social networking app. Primarily embraced by gamers and hobbyist communities, it’s a hub for lively discussions and collaborative experiences.
If you’re looking to cultivate a space for like-minded individuals, be it a book club, a programming circle, or even a fan community for a band, Discord is your go-to platform. A key benefit is the capability to segment discussions through various channels, keeping conversations organized and engaging.
The process to sign up is straightforward, and you can also build your own thriving online community with the platform.
13. Nextdoor: Your Local Bulletin
Monthly active users: 150 million
In a world that’s increasingly online, local communities still matter, and that’s where Nextdoor comes in. This unique social networking platform is all about connecting neighbors and fostering a sense of community.
If you’ve recently moved or are looking to get more involved in your local area, joining your local Nextdoor community can be an excellent first step.
You can find recommendations for local services like plumbers or babysitters, buy and sell items within your community, and even engage in discussions about local issues.
What’s more, it’s a great way to stay informed about local events or safety alerts.
With Nextdoor, you’re not just on the internet — you’re in your neighborhood, virtually!
14. Twitch: The Gamer’s Paradise
Monthly active users: 140 million
Twitch, a social media platform conceived primarily for gamers, has emerged as a home to a broad variety of live-streamed content, from music performances to interactive cooking sessions.
That said, gaming remains at its heart.
Twitch makes it easy to share your virtual victories and fails, all while connecting with an enthusiastic community of fellow gamers.
You might even discover some tips and tricks from your followers during your stream — improving your gameplay while building a dedicated audience.
Wrapping Up Top Social Media Apps
And there you have it! The 14 major social media apps that have risen to the top.
Of course, you don’t have to use all of them, but if you’re going to be on social media at all, you might want to choose one or a few on this list.
Social media apps are the new public square. So learn your way around at least some of these platforms to connect, communicate, and create an interesting life and career for yourself!
