Over 70% of the population uses some form of social media. If your business is not on one of the top social media sites for 2021, you are missing out on a LOT of exposure.
Each year we share a list of the top sites to be on your business’ radar. We rank the social media sites on our list by total number of users, and their relevance for businesses and entrepreneurs as relates to networking and advertising tools.
Here are our picks for the top 8 social media sites for 2021:
#1 Facebook: 2.3 billion users
The number of people using Facebook means a third of the world’s population uses it. Facebook gets a lot of criticism from younger generations about being a “dead” social media site. That couldn’t be further from the truth. It dominates as the social media platform with the most users. However, it may seem to youngsters that Facebook is of the past because the majority of its users are middle to older age.
Here’s what you need to know about Facebook users:
- More women than men use it
- By far, it has the largest group of users over 64 than any other site on our list
- India has the largest user base of any country
- Teens are least likely to use Facebook
#2 YouTube: 1.9 billion users
YouTube is one of the leading sites in the world for searching how to’s and tutorials via video content. It is also considered one of the most used search engines in worldwide. Since YouTube is owned by Google, it acts as a powerful tool to make your content more findable in the Google search engine. It will also better distribute your video ads because of its connection to Google and its affiliates.
Here’s what you need to know about YouTube users:
- 73% of US adults use it
- More men than women use it
- YouTube is the only platform on our list to have consistent usage from users aged 18-64
- It is the only platform on our list that user location, education, and income make little difference
#3 Instagram: 1 billion users
Because Instagram is owned by Facebook, linking the two sites together so you can post simultaneously is easy. The use of Stories and IGTV has given users multimedia options to share both short-form and long-form content. Since the bulk of Instagram’s audience is younger to middle-aged, pairing it and Facebook as your business’ social sites ensures you are connecting to adults from across the life course.
Here’s what you need to know about Instagram users:
- More women than men use it
- Users are 2x more likely to live in an urban vs rural area
- The majority of its users are under 49 years old
- The US has more users than any other country worldwide
#4 TikTok: 500 million users
TikTok burst onto the scene with rapid growth only five years ago. Last year, they were not on the list of top social sites, but we had named them as the site that would make an appearance very soon. Looks like we called that right, as TikTok is now one of the biggest players in the social media game, focused on video content paired with music. Keep in mind, the majority of users on this site are young.
Here’s what you need to know about TikTok users:
- Almost half of its users are aged 16-24
- More males than females use it
- China and India hold the largest group of users worldwide
- Very few people over the age of 55 use it
#5 Twitter: 330 million users
Twitter has received its fair share of press as a platform often used to spark controversial and societal conversations. It is designed to give real-time snippets of information which is why news, sports, entertainment, and political entities choose to use it. Twitter is not an ideal platform for a business that plans to post a few times a week, as algorithms are designed to distribute content from those that “tweet” 10-15 times A DAY.
Here’s what you need to know about Twitter users:
- There are 2x more male than female users worldwide
- Users are 2x more likely to live in an urban vs rural area
- Those under the age of 30 are the biggest group of users
- Japan and the US hold the majority of users worldwide
#6 LinkedIn: 303 million users
LinkedIn is known as the social media site for business to business marketing and is designed for professionals. It’s often used as an online resume or portfolio, and its users network to expand their connections and opportunities on a regular basis. Because of this, users may be overwhelmed with spammy messages from people and organizations looking to sell their products or services. However, this site should not be overlooked as prime place to look for collaborators, investors, or donors.
Here’s what you need to know about LinkedIn users:
- More males than females use the platform
- The largest group of users are 25-49 years old
- Users are 3x more likely to live in an urban vs rural area
- Half of its users have a college degree and make over $75k a year
#7 Snapchat: 287 millions users
Like TikTok, Snapchat is dominated by a younger generation. Snapchat uses filters and stickers to embellish “snaps” while people share photos and videos about their everyday lives. This platform was the first to launch the ability to make Stories, an idea now adapted by Facebook and Instagram.
Here’s what you need to know about Snapchat users:
- An even split of men and women use it
- The vast majority of users are under the age of 30
- Users are likely to not have a college degree
- Very few people over the age of 64 use it
#8 Pinterest: 250 million users
Like YouTube, Pinterest is considered one of the most popular search engines in the world. It is used by millions of people to look for ideas and inspiration, showing results of people’s searches much like Google does. This means your Pinterest board and “pins” can be a excellent tool for your business’ findability without having to pay for ads.
Here’s what you need to know about Pinterest users:
- Women are 3x more likely to use it
- Those over the age of 64 are least likely to use it
- Almost an even split of users live in urban, suburban, and rural areas
- The majority of users make over 75k a year
OUR PICK FOR NEXT ON THIS LIST: CLUBHOUSE
Last year we declared TikTok as the next social giant. This year we pass the baton to our next pick, Clubhouse. This new social site is a solution for businesses that have wanted to create a podcast, but finding and using the equipment has been a barrier.
Clubhouse is designed as self-led radio where you choose your conversations in a live setting. It allows you to join without worrying about your bad hair day because, unlike other sites, this app does not use imagery. It only uses voice to communicate with other users.
Users have a “room” in which they can start a conversation about anything and anyone can join it. People in the room can also raise their hand to be a speaker, and once approved by the room moderator, their voice can be heard. You can pop in and out of rooms as you wish.
We think this platform will allow early bird users to become potential influencers for content-driven conversations. Founded in March of 2020, this social media site is still in beta testing. Currently, you have to get an invite from a current user to join or get on a wait list.
Click here to learn How to Choose the Right Social Media For Your Business