Stacy Jo Dixon
Research expert covering social media usage worldwide
Mobile social media worldwide - statistics & facts
Our socials are a reflection of ourselves – literally. Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok depend heavily on the use of cameras, so it is no wonder that social media has grown to be mobile-centric. Constant connectivity, convenience, and self-expression are pillars of online networks, and mobile-first services have taken the lead.
In terms of mobile messaging, Meta’s WhatsApp had two billion global users in April 2024, while over one billion people worldwide used Facebook Messenger. There were 900 million people using Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging app that works on multiple platforms.
The most followed person on Instagram is Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has amassed around 628 million followers. Fellow athlete Lionel Messi and artist Selena Gomez rank in second and third place, respectively, with 502 million and 429 million followers. Sneaking a peek into the lives of the super-rich and famous is not the only thing Instagram users want from the platform. Lifestyle influencers make up around 14 percent of all influencers on the service, whilst just under one in ten are musicians, and a further eight percent are beauty influencers.
In June 2022, Snapchat started a subscription service, which had gained over nine million paying users as of the first quarter of 2024. Snapchat+ offers experimental and pre-release features and costs users 3.99 U.S. dollars per month.
The platform's appeal and playful vibe haven't stifled scrutiny. Citing data security threats and warnings that the Chinese government could harvest personal data via the app, TikTok is currently subject to partial or complete bans in numerous countries. Overall, in 2023, there were full or partial TikTok bans in 13 nations or regions.
Social media has become increasingly mobile-centric. Connectivity, convenience, and self-expression hold significant importance to young consumers; therefore, mobile-first social media platforms are set to endure.
Heir apparent
Mobile social media apps are becoming more widespread due to the global presence of smartphones, and with an estimated 6.05 billion global social media users by 2028, mobile social media usage shows no signs of slowing. Instagram and TikTok are both mobile-first social platforms and, as of April 2024, boast two billion global users and 1.5 billion global users, respectively. Additionally, the mobile app Snapchat has around 800 million global users.In terms of mobile messaging, Meta’s WhatsApp had two billion global users in April 2024, while over one billion people worldwide used Facebook Messenger. There were 900 million people using Telegram, a cloud-based instant messaging app that works on multiple platforms.
Influential Instagram
Instagram, which is also owned by Meta, is one of the most popular apps for sharing visual content such as photos and videos on mobile devices. India has the largest Instagram audience in the world, with over 362 million users. The platform also achieves success in terms of audience size in the United States and Brazil.The most followed person on Instagram is Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo, who has amassed around 628 million followers. Fellow athlete Lionel Messi and artist Selena Gomez rank in second and third place, respectively, with 502 million and 429 million followers. Sneaking a peek into the lives of the super-rich and famous is not the only thing Instagram users want from the platform. Lifestyle influencers make up around 14 percent of all influencers on the service, whilst just under one in ten are musicians, and a further eight percent are beauty influencers.
Taking on the world one snap at a time
India and the United States have the largest Snapchat audiences, with 202 million and 106 million users, respectively. Pakistan, France, and the United Kingdom are also home to a significant number of users of the multimedia instant messenger service. Regions outside of North America and Europe account for more than half of all daily active users.In June 2022, Snapchat started a subscription service, which had gained over nine million paying users as of the first quarter of 2024. Snapchat+ offers experimental and pre-release features and costs users 3.99 U.S. dollars per month.
Generation TikTok
TikTok is a social media app where users can make and share short videos. Brimming with lip-syncs, dancing, comedy, life hacks, and just about everything in between, users under 24 years comprise the majority of TikTok's user base as of April 2024. Users aged 25 to 34 form a substantial amount of the app’s audience; however, interest in the app clearly wanes with age.The platform's appeal and playful vibe haven't stifled scrutiny. Citing data security threats and warnings that the Chinese government could harvest personal data via the app, TikTok is currently subject to partial or complete bans in numerous countries. Overall, in 2023, there were full or partial TikTok bans in 13 nations or regions.
Social media has become increasingly mobile-centric. Connectivity, convenience, and self-expression hold significant importance to young consumers; therefore, mobile-first social media platforms are set to endure.
