Are individuals nonetheless utilizing Fb? Is BeReal nonetheless subsequent massive factor? And is TikTok nonetheless only for Gen Z?
In the event you’re searching for solutions to these questions, I’ve received ‘em.
We requested 700+ U.S. adults concerning the social media platforms they use in Might 2023 and once more in January 2024 to search out out which apps are rising and that are slowing down. Right here’s what I gathered from the information.
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 a number of quick information concerning the prime platforms US shoppers use in 2024, preserving in thoughts that this listing is perhaps completely different in different international locations.
- Fb (71%), YouTube (61%), and Instagram (42%) are the most well-liked social media apps.
- Lemon8 (+200%), Tumblr (+20%), and TikTok (+9%) noticed essentially the most development since 2023.
- The best declines in utilization have been seen on Reddit (28%), X/Twitter (23%), and LinkedIn (22%).
- Whereas Fb is the most well-liked social media platform for individuals over 28, Gen Z’s favourite platform is TikTok.
It’s fascinating to check these development stats to social media entrepreneurs’ predictions for 2024. In 2023, social media entrepreneurs rated Instagram as having the very best development 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 patron aspect, out of these three apps, TikTok skilled essentially the most development (+9% YoY), then Instagram (+5% YoY) then Fb (+4% YoY).
Social media entrepreneurs’ utilization of the apps they predicted to have essentially the most development truly 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 development in utilization from shoppers we polled in our 2024 Shopper Developments Survey. It’s a photo-sharing app (owned by ByteDance, TikTok’s mum or dad firm) and is described as an Instagram-Pinterest hybrid.
It has solely been obtainable 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 may really feel that the most well-liked 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 achieve this 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 curious about your area of interest.
You can even leverage the platform for influencer advertising and marketing. In the event you make an account and discover well-liked influencers/creators in your area of interest, you’ll be able to kind partnerships with them to construct consciousness for what you supply to its customers.
2. Tumblr
Tumblr, launched in 2007, is a microblogging web site 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 search out entertaining content material (28%) and sustain with information/cultural traits (28%).
So, 17 years in, how is it nonetheless going robust?
I believe Tumblr is so well-liked as a result of it’s a community-based platform. You’re nearly 100% assured to search 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 supplies 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 curious about.
Tumblr is actually fandom central — a judgment free zone for individuals to search out their individuals.
3. TikTok
Regardless of TikTok’s ongoing regulatory considerations, persons are beginning to use the channel for the primary time, and individuals who adore it stick round.
Between Might 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, displaying once more that they’re catching on to many viral Gen Z traits and apps. From our analysis, we estimate that one in three American adults now makes use of TikTok.
I’m attributing this development to the recognition of short-form video, which has stolen the present utterly lately. Shoppers informed us that, of all sorts of content material they see on social media, they take pleasure in short-form movies essentially the most—precisely what TikTok provides.
Shoppers are additionally doing extra social procuring, which TikTok provides. Actually, TikTok is the second-most seemingly app for shoppers to have used to make a purchase order prior to now three months.
In the event you aren’t on TikTok but, you need to preserve it in your radar and think about whether or not the app is sensible in your model. Simply remember that constructing a profitable technique would require some video-related time and assets, in addition to consumer analysis into all of the traits happening there.
In the event you use it, you’ll seemingly reap the advantages: social media entrepreneurs usually tend to fee TikTok as having excessive ROI and say that short-form movies (which TikToks are) have resulted within the highest ROI this yr.
You may study extra about TikTok advertising and marketing right here.
6. Instagram
It is no shocker that Instagram is among the favorites amongst a number of generations. Between Might and January, utilization by shoppers we surveyed grew by +5%.
Whereas the channel continues to win over Gen Z and acquire consideration from Boomers, it is perhaps shedding a few of its Millennial viewers. Under are only a few quick information.
- Round 42% of U.S. adults use Instagram, up 5% from final Might.
- Instagram grew essentially the most with Child Boomers with a +53% enhance (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’ prime three favourite apps, development 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 most well-liked social community worldwide and the favourite platform for shoppers over the age of 28.
Regardless of the main privateness points it confronted (Mark Zuckerberg was required to testify in Congress a few information leak), it’s nonetheless going robust. I believe its continued development and curiosity from shoppers are attributable to its novelty—it was one of many first three fashionable social media platforms (after LinkedIn and Myspace).
Now that we’ve coated a number of the fastest-growing social media platforms, listed below are those slowing down in 2024.
Which platforms are shedding steam?
Essentially the most vital change from 2023 is that BeReal, which led the pack with 313% utilization development, had a 0% change this yr.
Twitch, LinkedIn, and X/Twitter have been additionally a part of the group with excessive development, however all three skilled vital 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 study why Reddit, Pinterest, and YouTube is perhaps shedding steam in comparison with their competitors.
Need extra social media insights? I additionally suggest trying out these useful assets:
Extra Social Media Insights
In the event you’re searching for much more social media insights, I like to recommend diving into your 2024 State of Social Media reporting.
It’s primarily based on outcomes from a survey we ran of 1,500+ social media entrepreneurs. You’ll study all about drive group, gross sales, and virality, and the perfect half is that the report is free to obtain.
Try our 2024 Social Media Developments Report without spending a dime beneath.