The Fastest Growing Social Media Platforms of 2024 [New Data]

Are individuals nonetheless utilizing Fb? Is BeReal nonetheless subsequent massive factor? And is TikTok nonetheless only for Gen Z?

In case you’re searching for solutions to these questions, I’ve bought ‘em.

We requested 700+ U.S. adults concerning the social media platforms they use in Could 2023 and once more in January 2024 to seek out out which apps are rising and that are slowing down. Right here’s what I gathered from the info. 

Desk of Contents

Social Media Utilization in 2023 vs. 2024

Unsurprisingly, 87% of US adults use social media. However what platforms are they utilizing most?

Listed here are just a few quick details concerning the high platforms US shoppers use in 2024, maintaining in thoughts that this listing is likely to be completely different in different international locations.

• Fb (71%), YouTube (61%), and Instagram (42%) are the preferred social media apps. 
• Lemon8 (+200%), Tumblr (+20%), and TikTok (+9%) noticed essentially the most progress since 2023.
• The best declines in utilization have been seen on Reddit (28%), X/Twitter (23%), and LinkedIn (22%). 
• Whereas Fb is the preferred social media platform for individuals over 28, Gen Z’s favourite platform is TikTok.

It’s fascinating to match these progress stats to social media entrepreneurs’ predictions for 2024. In 2023, social media entrepreneurs rated Instagram as having the very best progress potential, adopted by TikTok and Fb. At the moment, Instagram was utilized by 65% of entrepreneurs, TikTok by 36%, and Fb by 67%. 

On the buyer facet, out of these three apps, TikTok skilled essentially the most progress (+9% YoY), then Instagram (+5% YoY) then Fb (+4% YoY).

Social media entrepreneurs’ utilization of the apps they predicted to have essentially the most progress really fell YoY: Instagram utilization fell -20% YoY, TikTok by -5% YoY, and Fb by -7% YoY.

With that, let’s take a deeper dive into the fastest-growing platforms.

The Quickest Rising Social Media Platforms

1. Lemon8

Lemon8 noticed +200% YoY progress in utilization from shoppers we polled in our 2024 Client Tendencies Survey. It’s a photo-sharing app (owned by ByteDance, TikTok’s dad or mum firm) and is described as an Instagram-Pinterest hybrid.

It has solely been accessible within the U.S. for a yr and a half, so, why’s it so well-liked?

For starters, Lemon8 is extra of a platform for shoppers. It’s centered round user-generated and natural content material, which is a welcome respite to shoppers who would possibly really feel that the preferred social media platforms are brand-forward and too salesy. 

Shoppers additionally care that the content material they see on social media is genuine and relatable, so the content material they see from different customers speaks on to that curiosity. A majority of people that use the app say they accomplish that to get concepts and inspiration and to share their very own footage/movies. 

As with all rising platforms, there’s no assure that Lemon8 will final, so my recommendation for manufacturers/companies is to get on the platform to safe your deal with and see what’s trending for customers excited by your area of interest. 

You too can leverage the platform for influencer advertising and marketing. In case you make an account and discover well-liked influencers/creators in your area of interest, you’ll be able to type partnerships with them to construct consciousness for what you provide to its customers.

2. Tumblr

Tumblr, launched in 2007, is a microblogging website the place customers can share textual content and multimedia posts. It’s grown +8% since 2023, and its customers say they use the platform to seek out entertaining content material (28%) and sustain with information/cultural developments (28%). 

So, 17 years in, how is it nonetheless going sturdy? 

I feel Tumblr is so well-liked as a result of it’s a community-based platform. You’re virtually 100% assured to seek out individuals who share your identical pursuits, and to have the ability to fill your feed with content material that solely speaks to your pursuits. 

It’s additionally a personality-driven platform, which provides customers the benefit of feeling like they are often themselves, particularly in the event that they’re closely concerned within the communities they’re most excited by. 

Tumblr is actually fandom central — a judgment free zone for individuals to seek out their individuals.

3. TikTok

Regardless of TikTok’s ongoing regulatory considerations, individuals are beginning to use the channel for the primary time, and individuals who like it stick round. 

Between Could of 2023 and January of 2024, TikTok utilization amongst our surveyed shoppers grew by +20% YoY. Utilization additionally grew throughout all generations, particularly older ones that when appeared completely uninterested. 

The variety of Boomers utilizing TikTok grew by +60% YoY and +12% YoY for Gen X, exhibiting once more that they’re catching on to many viral Gen Z developments and apps. From our analysis, we estimate that one in three American adults now makes use of TikTok.

I’m attributing this progress to the recognition of short-form video, which has stolen the present utterly lately. Shoppers informed us that, of all forms of content material they see on social media, they get pleasure from short-form movies essentially the most—precisely what TikTok gives. 

Shoppers are additionally doing extra social buying, which TikTok gives. In reality, TikTok is the second-most probably app for shoppers to have used to make a purchase order previously three months. 

In case you aren’t on TikTok but, you must preserve it in your radar and contemplate whether or not the app is sensible on your model. Simply take into account that constructing a profitable technique would require some video-related time and sources, in addition to consumer analysis into all of the developments occurring there. 

In case you use it, you’ll probably reap the advantages: social media entrepreneurs usually tend to charge TikTok as having excessive ROI and say that short-form movies (which TikToks are) have resulted within the highest ROI this yr. 

You may be taught extra about TikTok advertising and marketing right here.

6. Instagram

It is no shocker that Instagram is without doubt one of the favorites amongst a number of generations. Between Could and January, utilization by shoppers we surveyed grew by +5%.

Whereas the channel continues to win over Gen Z and achieve consideration from Boomers, it is likely to be shedding a few of its Millennial viewers. Under are only a few quick details.

• Round 42% of U.S. adults use Instagram, up 5% from final Could.
• Instagram grew essentially the most with Child Boomers with a +53% improve (from 15% to 23%). 
• There was an 8% drop in utilization amongst Gen X, from 51% to 47%. 
• Regardless of being amongst Gen Z and Millennials’ high three favourite apps, progress was comparatively low, with 1% and a pair of% will increase, respectively.

4. Fb

Fb turned 20 this yr, and utilization amongst shoppers grew +4% YoY. As of April 2024, it’s the preferred social community worldwide and the favourite platform for shoppers over the age of 28. 

Regardless of the foremost privateness points it confronted (Mark Zuckerberg was required to testify in Congress a few information leak), it’s nonetheless going sturdy. I feel its continued progress and curiosity from shoppers are on account of its novelty—it was one of many first three fashionable social media platforms (after LinkedIn and Myspace).

Now that we’ve lined a number of the fastest-growing social media platforms, listed below are those slowing down in 2024.

Which platforms are shedding steam?

Probably the most important change from 2023 is that BeReal, which led the pack with 313% utilization progress, had a 0% change this yr.

Twitch, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter have been additionally a part of the group with excessive progress, however all three skilled important drops. 

I used to be stunned to see LinkedIn and Twitch drop off, however not X/Twitter. Its 22% decline aligns with Elon Musk’s controversial takeover. 

To dive deeper into the shifts, Click on right here to be taught why Reddit, Pinterest, and YouTube is likely to be shedding steam in comparison with their competitors.

Need extra social media insights? I additionally suggest trying out these useful sources: 

Extra Social Media Insights

In case you’re searching for much more social media insights, I like to recommend diving into your 2024 State of Social Media reporting. 

It’s based mostly on outcomes from a survey we ran of 1,500+ social media entrepreneurs. You’ll be taught all about how one can drive neighborhood, gross sales, and virality, and the perfect half is that the report is free to obtain.

Take a look at our 2024 Social Media Tendencies Report free of charge under.