A global survey conducted in the fourth quarter of 2023 found that the main reason for using social media was to keep in touch with friends and family, with over 49 percent of social media users saying this was their main reason for using online networks. Overall, 38 percent of social media users said that filling spare time was their main reason for using social media platforms, whilst 34.3 percent of respondents said they used it to read news stories. One in five users were on social platforms for the reason of following celebrities and influencers.
The most popular social network
Facebook dominates the social media landscape. The world's most popular social media platform turned 20 in February 2024, and it continues to lead the way in terms of user numbers. As of January 2024, the social network had over three billion global users. YouTube, WhatsApp, and Instagram follow, but none of these well-known brands can surpass Facebook’s audience size. Moreover, as of the final quarter of 2023, there were almost four billion Meta product users.
Ever-evolving social media usage
The utilization of social media remains largely gratuitous; however, companies have been encouraging users to become paid subscribers to reduce dependence on advertising profits. Meta Verified entices users by offering a blue verification badge and proactive account protection, among other things. X (formerly Twitter), Snapchat, and Reddit also offer users the chance to upgrade their social media accounts for a monthly free.
Most popular reasons for internet users worldwide to use social media as of 4th quarter 2023
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GWI, & We Are Social, & DataReportal, & Meltwater. (April 24, 2024). Most popular reasons for internet users worldwide to use social media as of 4th quarter 2023 [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/715449/social-media-usage-reasons-worldwide/
GWI, und We Are Social, und DataReportal, und Meltwater. "Most popular reasons for internet users worldwide to use social media as of 4th quarter 2023." Chart. April 24, 2024. Statista. Accessed October 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/715449/social-media-usage-reasons-worldwide/
GWI, We Are Social, DataReportal, Meltwater. (2024). Most popular reasons for internet users worldwide to use social media as of 4th quarter 2023. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/715449/social-media-usage-reasons-worldwide/
GWI, and We Are Social, and DataReportal, and Meltwater. "Most Popular Reasons for Internet Users Worldwide to Use Social Media as of 4th Quarter 2023." Statista, Statista Inc., 24 Apr 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/715449/social-media-usage-reasons-worldwide/
GWI & We Are Social & DataReportal & Meltwater, Most popular reasons for internet users worldwide to use social media as of 4th quarter 2023 Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/715449/social-media-usage-reasons-worldwide/ (last visited October 24, 2024)
Most popular reasons for internet users worldwide to use social media as of 4th quarter 2023 [Graph], GWI, & We Are Social, & DataReportal, & Meltwater, April 24, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/715449/social-media-usage-reasons-worldwide/