These Are the Hottest Social Media Platforms in 2025

Using data from Exploding Topics, Statista, Semrush, and the platforms themselves, I’ve been able to compile a list of the 11 most popular social media channels for 2025.

1. Facebook

• Monthly active users: 3.07 billion
• Best for: Small, local businesses
• Type of content: Written posts, images, videos, stories, live streams, Reels, reposts

2. WhatsApp

• Monthly active users: 3 billion
• Best for: Customer service, company updates, marketing
• Type of content: Text messages

3. YouTube

• Monthly active users: 2.7 billion
• Best for: Informational businesses, online stores
• Type of content: Long-form videos (e.g., product showcases, tutorials, interviews), YouTube Shorts, live streams

4. Instagram

• Monthly active users: 2 billion
• Best for: Lifestyle businesses, online stores
• Type of content: Visual posts, stories, Reels, live streams, direct messaging

5. TikTok

• Monthly active users: 1.84 billion
• Best for: Businesses targeting trends and younger demographics
• Type of content: Images, video content, live streams, stories, reposts

6. Snapchat

• Monthly active users: 900 million
• Best for: Local businesses, brands targeting younger demographics
• Type of content: Images, short-form videos, stories

7. Reddit

• Monthly active users: 712 million
• Best for: User-driven communities and discussions, Q&As
• Type of content: Text posts, images, videos

8. Pinterest

• Monthly active users: 570 million
• Best for: Showcasing your lifestyle brand and products
• Type of content: Visual posts (pins and boards)

9. X

• Monthly active users: 563 million
• Best for: Blogs, local businesses, online stores
• Type of content: Timely written posts, customer interactions, images, videos

10. Threads

• Monthly active users: 400 million
• Best for: Businesses already using Instagram
• Type of content: Written posts, images, videos

11. LinkedIn

• Monthly active users: 310 million
• Best for: Professional networking, B2B businesses
• Type of content: Long-form written posts, newsletters

Using social media is a must for businesses in 2025, with more customers relying on the platforms for research, reviews, and information about a brand or product. According to a report by Pew Research Center last year, YouTube and Facebook are the most widely used platforms in the US, but it’s key you figure out what channels work best for your business, industry, and customers.

If you have a website for your business, there’s a lot of value in signing up for these popular social media platforms as well. For example, you can:

• Repurpose content across your website and social platforms
• Diversify your traffic sources
• Connect with your target audience (some apps are better for select demographics)
• Build an online community
• Collaborate with influencers within your niche
• Boost engagement, which could lead to more sign-ups or sales
• Find new revenue streams

Above all else, it’s important you do the research when building your social media strategy. Assess what your competitors are doing and learn what apps your customers are using the most. You can then use this data to know what social media platforms your business should be the most active on.