Social media is a broad term that encompasses various online platforms that allow people to share information, connect with others, and interact in a virtual environment. There are six common types of social media:
- Social networking websites: These platforms enable users to create profiles, connect with friends and colleagues, and share updates and messages in real-time. Facebook and LinkedIn are popular examples of social networking sites.
- Microblogging sites: These platforms allow users to publish short, concise messages or posts. Twitter and Tumblr are examples of microblogging sites.
- Photo-sharing sites: These platforms promote social sharing through photos and, in some cases, videos. Instagram is a popular example of a photo-sharing site.
- Video-sharing sites: These platforms enable users to upload and share videos with others. TikTok and YouTube are examples of video-sharing sites.
- Forums and message boards: These platforms are designed for online discussions where users can exchange ideas, ask questions, and collaborate with others who share similar interests. Discord and Reddit are examples of forums and message boards.
- Review sites: These platforms allow users to publish reviews and ratings of businesses, products, and services. Examples of review sites include Trip Advisor and Google Reviews.
Each type of social media has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to digital marketing. It’s important to experiment with multiple social media platforms to determine which ones work best for your business and target audience. Don’t be afraid to try out different platforms and test different strategies to see what yields the best results.
Wondering what the top social media platforms are? With so many social networks on the internet, it’s hard to know which platforms can be best for your business.
Instead of getting overwhelmed and stressed out trying to figure out the best social media platform on your own, we will make it easy for you.
We’ve highlighted 13 of the top social media networks based on the number of users.
Let’s go!
What are the top social media platforms? How do they work? What can you use them for?
We’ve reviewed the 13 largest social media platforms (by monthly active users) in the world to reveal these answers for you.
Let’s go!
Facebook, with its massive network of 2.96 billion global users, currently holds the top spot among social media platforms. Since its inception in 2004, Facebook has evolved into a versatile platform with several features tailored to suit business needs.
One of Facebook’s most beneficial features is its Marketplace, where users can buy and sell items in their local communities, including clothing, electronics, and furniture. Additionally, businesses can create a free Business Page to post announcements, share promotions, and connect with customers. Facebook Groups, created by users around shared interests, allow businesses to connect with potential customers and build communities around their products or services.
Facebook Messenger is a convenient tool for sending instant text messages to other users, while the gaming platform offers the ability to watch and play popular games like Fortnite and Among Us. The Watch video streaming platform hosts original content like TV shows, documentaries, and live events such as concerts. Finally, Events allow users to create, share, and join events with friends and family, such as baby showers or birthday parties.
YouTube
YouTube is a popular social network that primarily focuses on video content, featuring creators who produce short-form and long-form videos. In terms of video-based social media platforms, YouTube stands out as the clear winner.
Users on YouTube create a wide variety of content, ranging from how-to tutorials on board games to educational videos on performing yoga poses, as well as behind-the-scenes daily vlogs. This diversity of content provides users with a broad range of options to choose from when searching for content.
For businesses, YouTube can be a powerful tool for promoting and growing their brand. It allows companies to share their mission, goals, and what drives them to run their company. Brands can also create tutorials to showcase how to use their products or services, as well as answer frequently asked questions.
WhatsApp is a distinctive social app/network that sets itself apart due to its functionality as an instant messaging app. This app facilitates text messages, voice messages, photos, and videos to enable users to connect with each other.
The platform has a vast user base, with over two billion users across 180 countries. Notably, WhatsApp is not only limited to individual use but also caters to business needs. Companies can leverage WhatsApp for various purposes, including customer service, sales, marketing, and internal communication.
Instagram, established in 2010, is a highly sought-after social media platform that mainly focuses on sharing photos and videos.
Businesses leverage Instagram to establish brand recognition, foster connections, and interact with their customers by sharing engaging visuals. Additionally, companies can expand their outreach on the platform by creating Instagram ads through paid campaigns.
Furthermore, there are numerous opportunities for monetizing Instagram.
In conclusion, Instagram is an exceptional tool for reaching out to your desired audience, driving traffic to your website, and boosting your sales.
WeChat, a multi-purpose messaging app, was established in 2011 and gained widespread popularity in China. It has emerged as one of the most popular social networking apps in the country, thanks to its diverse range of features.
Users can communicate with one another via text, voice, and video messages through WeChat’s built-in messaging application. Additionally, the app functions as a social media platform and provides users with access to a range of social media features.
Tik Tok
TikTok, founded by ByteDance in 2018, has quickly become one of the most popular social media platforms globally. With its focus on short-form videos, it has gained a massive following and is now considered one of the largest social media platforms for this type of content. The app is user-friendly, and its combination of music and filters allows users to create engaging videos that they can share with their followers.
Despite initially being popular among younger users, particularly Gen Z, TikTok has proven to be an effective tool for businesses looking to attract customers. The platform offers multiple ways for businesses to reach their target audience, including organic reach, TikTok ads, and the TikTok Creator Fund.
With its impressive organic reach, TikTok has become a go-to platform for businesses looking to increase their brand awareness. Additionally, the platform’s ads allow companies to target specific demographics and create engaging campaigns that can help drive traffic to their website. For creators, the TikTok Creator Fund offers a way to monetize their content and potentially earn a significant income from their videos.
Twitter is a social media platform that was introduced in 2006. It allows users to socialize, interact, and network with one another through short messages known as “tweets.” These tweets can contain text, photos, videos, and links, providing users with a versatile platform to share their thoughts and interests.
Twitter has become a popular destination for individuals seeking to connect with others, build their online reputation, and engage in discussions and debates. Additionally, businesses have discovered the platform’s potential to engage with customers, promote their products and services, and conduct market research.
With over 450 million monthly active users, Twitter has become one of the largest social media networks in the world. Its broad reach and diverse user base make it a valuable tool for both personal and professional networking.
Pinterest is a popular visual social network founded in 2011, which enables users to share and discover photo-based social media posts known as pins. These pins can be used to create an engaging collage, allowing users to browse through and learn more about their interests and passions. The platform’s functionality is similar to Flipboard, a content aggregator and newsreader.
In addition to its social features, Pinterest provides valuable tools for businesses. Companies can create a free Pinterest business account to attract and engage with their target audience. They can leverage built-in analytics to review metrics and gain insights into their audience’s behavior. Additionally, businesses have access to tools to enhance their social media presence, collaborate with influencers, and run advertisements.
Telegram
Telegram is a messaging app launched in 2013 with a user base of over 500 million people. It allows users to exchange messages, photos, and videos in group chats. In addition, businesses also use Telegram to facilitate communication with their customers and internal team members.
One of the key features of Telegram is its group chat functionality, which is particularly useful for various purposes such as socializing, community building, marketing, promotions, and customer support. With the group chat feature, companies can collaborate with different groups of people and leverage Telegram as a platform to offer customer support, increase customer engagement, and foster brand loyalty.
Which social media platform should you use?
When deciding on which social media platform to use, it’s important to take into account your specific needs, goals, and audience.
Start by defining your goals. What do you want to achieve through your social media presence? Perhaps you want to establish your online reputation, share your content, or increase your brand awareness.
After establishing your goals, consider the type of content you’ll be creating. Certain platforms are better suited for certain types of content, so it’s important to choose a platform that aligns with your content strategy.
Another important factor is understanding your target audience and where they spend their time online. Utilizing tools like Google Analytics can help you better understand your audience demographics and where they are most active online.
It’s also important to take into account your personal resources, such as time and manpower. Some social media platforms require more time and effort to maintain than others, so it’s important to choose a platform that you are able to manage and maintain effectively.
Ultimately, the decision of which social media platform to use is a personal one that depends on your unique needs and circumstances. By carefully considering your goals, content strategy, target audience, and available resources, you can make an informed decision that will benefit your online presence.
