Top Social Media Platforms of 2025: A Complete Guide to the Most Popular Networks This Year
In 2025, social media continues to evolve at lightning speed, shaping the way billions of people connect, communicate, and consume content. From global giants like Facebook and YouTube to emerging platforms like RedNote (Xiaohongshu) and Discord, the social media landscape is more dynamic than ever.
This guide dives deep into the most popular social media platforms of 2025, ranked by monthly active users (MAUs) and organic traffic. We’ll also explore which platforms are gaining traction, their growth trends, and what makes them stand out in a saturated market.
All statistics in this article are based on the most recent available data (as of May 2025), including sources like Semrush, DataReportal, Statista, and others.
What Is the Most Popular Social Media Platform in 2025?
Facebook still leads the social media world with over 3.07 billion monthly active users, representing nearly 37% of the global population. Despite regional bans in countries like China, Russia, and Iran, its dominance remains unshaken in many markets, especially in the Americas, Southeast Asia, and Africa.
Closely following are Meta-owned WhatsApp and Google’s YouTube, making up the top three platforms globally. These platforms not only have massive user bases but also receive billions in monthly organic traffic.
Top 35 Most Popular Social Media Platforms (Ranked by MAUs)
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the top platforms in 2025:
| Rank | Platform | Company | MAUs | Monthly Organic Traffic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meta | 3.07B | 9.14B | |
| 2 | Meta | 3.00B | 2.69B | |
| 3 | YouTube | Alphabet | 2.70B | 48.82B |
| 4 | Meta | 2.00B | 5.38B | |
| 5 | TikTok | ByteDance | 1.84B | 1.89B |
| 6 | Tencent | 1.39B | 91.52M | |
| 7 | Telegram | Telegram | 1.00B | 435.36M |
| 8 | Messenger | Meta | 965M | 216.1M |
| 9 | Snapchat | Snap Inc. | 850M | 154.16M |
| 10 | Viber | Rakuten | 820M | – |
| 11 | Douyin | ByteDance | 770M | 113.01M |
| 12 | Reddit Inc. | 712M | 4.02B | |
| 13 | Kuaishou | Kuaishou | 710M | – |
| 14 | Baidu | Baidu | 679M | 728.16M |
| 15 | Spotify | Tencent | 678M | 737.15M |
| 16 | Sina | 590M | 57.53M | |
| 17 | 570M | 1.11B | ||
| 18 | X (Twitter) | X Corp. | 563M | 3.39B |
| 19 | Tencent | 524M | 258.3M | |
| 20 | Qzone | Tencent | 500M | – |
| 21 | Quora | Quora | 400M | 521.34M |
| 22 | Bilibili | Bilibili | 340M | 605.49M |
| 23 | Teams | Microsoft | 320M | 1.37B |
| 24 | Microsoft | 310M | 1.36B | |
| 25 | Vimeo | Vimeo | 300M | 76.43M |
| 26 | Threads | Meta | 275M | 156.06M |
| 27 | ShareChat | Mohalla Tech | 250M | – |
| 28 | Twitch | Amazon | 240M | 1.09B |
| 29 | Discord | Discord | 200M | 723.94M |
| 30 | Xiaohongshu (RedNote) | Xiaohongshu | 200M | 137.02M |
| 31 | Line | Naver | 178M | 188.94M |
| 32 | Tumblr | Automattic | 135M | 149.24M |
| 33 | VK (VKontakte) | Gazprombank | 88M | 779.43M |
| 34 | Medium | A Medium Corp. | 81M | 115.39M |
| 35 | Rumble | Rumble Inc. | 59M | 46.63M |
Note: All figures are estimates from May 2025. Traffic data provided by Semrush unless otherwise noted.
Rising Stars: Fastest-Growing Social Media Platforms in 2025
Several platforms are experiencing massive search interest and user growth. Let’s explore the ones gaining momentum and why they’re becoming favorites:
1. Telegram
- 5-Year Search Growth: +234%
- Monthly Google Searches: 38.6M
- Why It’s Booming: Telegram has redefined private messaging by offering encrypted chats, channels, and supergroups (up to 200,000 users). Its cloud-based system and growing premium subscriber base make it ideal for influencers, businesses, and large communities alike.
2. TikTok
- 5-Year Search Growth: +159%
- Monthly Google Searches: 88.4M
- Why It’s Dominating: TikTok’s “For You” feed is a masterclass in personalization. Its ability to catapult unknown creators into virality has kept the platform ahead in the short-form video race. Despite regulatory scrutiny in several countries, TikTok remains a cultural juggernaut in 2025.
3. Xiaohongshu (RedNote)
- 5-Year Search Growth: +3,100%
- Monthly Google Searches: 361,900
- Why It’s Trending: Blending e-commerce, beauty tips, lifestyle vlogs, and product reviews, RedNote (formerly Xiaohongshu) is China’s answer to Instagram meets Amazon. After a strong 2023 turnaround, it’s gaining global traction—especially in the U.S., where influencers are migrating due to TikTok bans.
4. Discord
- 5-Year Search Growth: +22%
- Monthly Google Searches: 33.5M
- Why It’s Reliable: Originally for gamers, Discord now serves startups, classrooms, fan communities, and friend groups. The ad-free model and robust voice, video, and chat features provide a unique community-first alternative to ad-heavy platforms.
5. WhatsApp
- 5-Year Search Growth: +56%
- Monthly Google Searches: 130.4M
- Why It’s a Must-Have: WhatsApp remains the go-to messaging app in multiple continents. Recent features like WhatsApp Channels, business tools, and shopping integrations have helped the app go beyond messaging and into multi-functional territory.
6. Reddit
- 5-Year Search Growth: +119%
- Monthly Google Searches: 33.4M
- Why It’s Growing: Reddit has become the internet’s favorite forum for deep discussion and community interaction. With niche subreddits and a revamped user interface, Reddit continues to attract Gen Z and millennials alike.
7. Douyin
- 5-Year Search Growth: +471%
- Monthly Google Searches: 1.1M
- Why It’s Booming: Douyin is China’s version of TikTok, but with localized content, integrations with Chinese e-commerce, and advanced video editing features. It’s wildly popular in mainland China and Southeast Asia.
Key Trends in 2025’s Social Media Ecosystem
- Short-Form Video Is King
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and Douyin are leading the way in keeping users engaged with quick, snackable content. - Private Messaging & Group Communities Are Growing
Telegram, WhatsApp, and Discord highlight a shift toward more intimate, secure, and community-driven digital spaces. - Commerce Integration Is Exploding
RedNote and Pinterest are showing the way forward by merging shopping with social content. Social commerce is becoming a billion-dollar trend. - AI-Powered Recommendations
Personalization is no longer optional. TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook use AI-driven algorithms to keep users scrolling. - Cross-Platform Strategy Matters More Than Ever
With so many platforms rising, brands must diversify across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Pinterest, and even newer networks like Threads and Discord.
Bonus Tip: Use Semrush to Monitor Social Trends
If you’re managing multiple social media platforms, consider using Semrush’s Social Media Toolkit. It includes tools for:
- Social media scheduling
- AI-generated post ideas
- Competitor monitoring
- Multi-channel reporting
- Engagement tracking
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Final Thoughts
The social media scene in 2025 is more fragmented and competitive than ever. While Facebook and YouTube still dominate, newer contenders like RedNote, Discord, and Douyin are pushing the boundaries of what social media can be.
For users, creators, and marketers alike, success in today’s ecosystem depends on staying agile, experimenting with platforms, and tapping into what’s trending—be it short videos, community chats, or social shopping.
Stay tuned, because the only constant in social media is change.