Social Media Platforms
Jan 15, 2025
Social Media Platforms: Which are relevant today?
Social media platforms have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. They offer a way to stay in touch with friends and family, but they are also a powerful way for companies and brands to reach their target groups and strengthen their online presence. In this post, we provide a detailed overview of the various social media platforms, from the largest and most popular to lesser-known options. We shed light on which social media platforms exist, which ones are the most used, and how to make the most of them to achieve maximum visibility.
What are Social Media Platforms?
Social media platforms are online services that enable users to create and share content and interact with each other. These platforms not only offer social exchange but also the opportunity to share content in various formats such as text, images, audio and video. They are one of the most important forms of digital communication and have fundamentally changed the way we network.
Social media platforms offer numerous functions, including creating profiles, publishing posts, commenting on content and following other users or brands. For companies, these platforms offer a direct line to potential customers, making them an indispensable marketing tool.
List of the Largest and Most Popular Social Media Platforms
There are various social media platforms that differ in their target audience, functionality and popularity. To provide a clear overview, we have compiled a list of the social media platforms that are currently the largest and most used.
1. Facebook – The Largest Social Media Platform Worldwide
Facebook remains the largest and most-used social media platform worldwide, with over 2.8 billion monthly active users. It was founded in 2004 by Mark Zuckerberg and has since grown to include everything from personal profiles to business pages. Facebook is known for its versatility, including features such as groups, events, market and paid advertising.
Why Facebook?
Wide reach: ideal for reaching a broad target audience.
Diverse advertising options: companies can place targeted advertising and get their products or services in front of the right audience.
2. YouTube – The Platform for Videos
With over 2 billion monthly active users, YouTube is the second largest social media platform and the most popular video-sharing platform. YouTube allows users to upload, view and share videos. It also provides a valuable platform for brands and influencers to reach their target audiences with video content.
Why YouTube?
Video content: ideal for companies that want to present their products and services visually.
Monetisation: YouTube offers various options for monetising content, such as advertising and sponsored videos.
3. Instagram – The Platform for Visual Content
Instagram has established itself as one of the most popular social media platforms, especially among younger users. The platform places a strong focus on visual content and allows users to share photos and videos. Instagram also offers a range of features such as Stories, Reels and IGTV to encourage interactivity.
Why Use Instagram?
Visual aesthetic: ideal for brands that have strong visual content.
Interactive features: Stories, Reels and shopping directly on the platform make Instagram an indispensable marketing channel.
4. TikTok – the Platform for Short Videos
TikTok has experienced an amazing rise in recent years and is now one of the most-used social media platforms worldwide. The platform is particularly popular with Generation Z and allows users to create and share short, creative videos.
Why TikTok?
Creativity and trends: ideal for brands that want to create creative, viral content.
High engagement rate: the platform is characterised by a high interaction rate and viral trends.
5. X (formerly Twitter) – The Platform for Real-Time Communication
X is known for its fast and direct communication. With over 330 million monthly active users, X offers a platform where users can share short messages called tweets in real time. X is particularly popular with journalists, politicians and celebrities who want to spread their messages in real time.
Why X?
Real-time communication: ideal for breaking news and live updates.
Hashtags: Allow topics to be quickly disseminated and found.
6. LinkedIn – The Business Platform
LinkedIn is the leading social media platform for professional networks. With more than 700 million users worldwide, LinkedIn is aimed primarily at professionals and companies that want to expand their professional network and find potential business partners.
Why LinkedIn?
Business-oriented: Ideal for networking and recruiting.
B2B marketing: particularly useful for companies targeting other businesses.
7. Pinterest – The Platform for Inspiration and Shopping
Pinterest is a platform that focuses on idea discovery and collection. Users can create ‘pins’ to save and share images and ideas. The platform is particularly popular with users seeking inspiration in areas such as fashion, home, cooking and DIY.
Why Use Pinterest?
Visual discovery: ideal for companies that want to present products visually.
Shopping features: users can shop directly on Pinterest.
What Social Media Platforms are There?
The range of platforms is constantly growing. While Facebook, Instagram and YouTube continue to dominate, there are numerous other platforms that are particularly successful in certain niches.
Some other well-known social media platforms include:
Snapchat: A popular platform among younger users for sharing photos and videos that disappear after a short time.
Reddit: A discussion platform where users share and discuss content in various topics.
Tumblr: a platform for creative content and microblogging.
Vimeo: a platform for video content.
The Largest Social Media Platforms Worldwide
The largest social media platforms are those that have the most active users worldwide. These platforms offer huge reach and are therefore of particular interest to companies and brands that want to operate globally. The largest social media platforms include:
Facebook (over 2.8 billion monthly active users)
YouTube (over 2 billion monthly active users)
WhatsApp (over 2 billion monthly active users)
TikTok (over 1.5 billion monthly active users)
Instagram (over 1 billion monthly active users)
WeChat (over 1.2 billion monthly active users)
Most-Used Social Media Platforms by Numbers
The most-used social media platforms are those on which the highest user activity can be observed. These platforms offer the best opportunities for connecting with a broad target group. According to current statistics, the following platforms are among the most-used:
Facebook (more than 2.8 billion monthly active users)
YouTube (more than 2 billion monthly active users)
Instagram (more than 1 billion monthly active users)
WhatsApp (more than 2 billion monthly active users)
TikTok (over 1.5 billion monthly active users)
Social Media List: A Summary of the Most Important Platforms
Here is a compact social media list that summarises the most important platforms:
Facebook – The largest platform worldwide.
YouTube – The leading platform for videos.
Instagram – Focus on visual content.
TikTok – Short videos and creative content.
X – Real-time communication.
LinkedIn – Professional networking.
Pinterest – Discovery and collection of ideas.
Sources and Further Links
For more information on the various social media platforms and how to use them, we recommend the following sources:
Gute Fragen - What social media platforms are there?
In addition, Markero not only offers topics and ideas for social media, but also creates posts and allows you to plan and post content directly from the app. A great way to manage social media efficiently and stay relevant.
Conclusion
Social media platforms have become an integral part of our everyday lives and the business world. They offer numerous opportunities for both private users and companies. It is important to understand the different platforms and to select the ones that best suit your goals. Choosing the right platforms can make all the difference when it comes to reaching your desired target audience and building a strong online presence.
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Dr Axel Jockwer (https://www.linkedin.com/in/axeljockwer/), an expert in marketing and digital strategies, is responsible for the editorial quality assurance and thematic direction of our blog. Publication list: https://www.jockwer.com/lehre-und-veroffentlichungen