The Best Social Media Platforms for Business, Brands, and Creators

Social media isn’t just about showing up—it’s about being in the right place at the right time. With constant updates, new features, and changing trends, brands that don’t keep up can quickly get left behind. The trick is knowing which platforms fit your goals—whether that’s getting your name out there, driving sales, or building a loyal community.

In 2025, social media is more competitive than ever, so it’s important to focus your time where it actually counts. In this guide, we’ll break down the best social media platforms for businesses, highlighting their strengths, audience demographics, and how they can help you reach your marketing objectives.

Most Popular Social Media Platforms in 2025

Social media is constantly evolving, and staying on top of the most widely used platforms can make a big difference for businesses, brands, and creators. Whether you’re looking to grow your audience, engage with customers, or drive sales, choosing the right platform is key.

The table above highlights the top 10 most popular social media platforms by monthly active users. But beyond these, there are many other platforms making an impact. Keep reading for a full breakdown of the top 25 social media platforms globally, ranked by monthly active users.

Facebook

Facebook is still reigning supreme in the social media landscape, with a huge user base and tons of marketing tools. Its wide appeal makes it great for businesses wanting to connect with all kinds of audiences and build strong communities.

• Monthly Active Users: 3.065 billion
• Average Audience Demographics: Used by a wide range of age groups, with a slightly higher male user base.
• Types of Content: Text updates, photos, videos, live streams, and stories.
• Best Suited For: Businesses targeting a broad audience, e-commerce, and brands focusing on customer service and community building.

YouTube

As the king of video content, YouTube continues to dominate, offering brands and creators a powerful platform to showcase their expertise, entertain, and educate. With YouTube Shorts gaining momentum, the platform is catering to both long-form and short-form video lovers.

• Monthly Active Users: 2.54 billion
• Average Audience Demographics: Popular across multiple age groups, with a nearly even gender distribution.
• Types of Content: Videos of various lengths, including tutorials, entertainment, and educational content.
• Best Suited For: Creators, influencers, and brands focusing on video content and advertising.

WhatsApp

WhatsApp isn’t just for chatting with friends—it’s a direct line for businesses to engage with customers. From customer support to sales and updates, WhatsApp Business is a must-have for brands focusing on one-on-one communication.

• Monthly Active Users: 2 billion
• Average Audience Demographics: Popular across all age groups, particularly for personal communication.
• Types of Content: Text messages, voice messages, calls, and status updates.
• Best Suited For: Businesses needing direct customer communication and support.

Instagram

Instagram remains a powerhouse for brands looking to connect visually with their audience. With Reels, Stories, and shopping features, it’s a top choice for businesses wanting to engage and drive sales creatively.

• Monthly Active Users: 2 billion
• Average Audience Demographics: Most popular with Gen Z and millennials.
• Types of Content: Photos, short videos (Reels), stories, and IGTV.
• Best Suited For: Influencers, brands targeting younger demographics, and visual storytelling.

TikTok

TikTok has quickly become a major player in social media, known for its viral short-form videos. Its engaging content and trend-driven algorithms make it a hotspot for creators and brands targeting younger audiences.

• Monthly Active Users: 2 billion
• Average Audience Demographics: Most popular among younger millennials and Gen Z.
• Types of Content: Short-form videos, trends, and challenges.
• Best Suited For: Creators, influencers, and brands targeting Gen Z and Millennials with engaging, entertaining content.

WeChat

WeChat dominates the Chinese market with its all-in-one platform for messaging, social media, payments, and more. Its versatility makes it essential for businesses engaging Chinese audiences.

• Monthly Active Users: 1.38 billion
• Average Audience Demographics: Popular in China, with a broad age range.
• Types of Content: Messaging, social media posts, payments, and mini-programs.
• Best Suited For: Businesses targeting the Chinese market.

LinkedIn

LinkedIn is the premier professional networking platform, ideal for B2B marketing and recruitment. Its user base of professionals makes it perfect for thought leadership and industry-specific content.

• Monthly Active Users: 1 billion
• Average Audience Demographics: Predominantly millennials, primarily working professionals and businesses.
• Types of Content: Professional updates, articles, job postings, and networking.
• Best Suited For: B2B businesses, professionals, and job seekers.

Telegram

Telegram is known for its secure messaging and community-building features. Its focus on privacy and versatile communication tools make it ideal for businesses and creators seeking secure interactions.

• Monthly Active Users: 900 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Popular for secure messaging across all age groups.
• Types of Content: Text messages, group chats, channels, and bots.
• Best Suited For: Businesses and creators needing secure communication and community building.

Snapchat

Snapchat’s ephemeral content and AR filters have made it a hit among younger audiences. Its creative features and high engagement rates make it perfect for brands targeting youth with innovative content.

• Monthly Active Users: 850 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Primarily used by younger audiences, with a balanced gender split.
• Types of Content: Ephemeral photos and videos, stories, and AR filters.
• Best Suited For: Brands and influencers targeting younger audiences with creative, engaging content.

Douyin

Douyin, the Chinese counterpart to TikTok, leads China’s short-video market. Recently, it became accessible outside China amid uncertainty around a U.S. TikTok ban.

• Monthly Active Users: 766 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Popular in China, with a broad age range.
• Types of Content: Short videos and live streaming.
• Best Suited For: Creators and businesses targeting the Chinese market with short-form video content.

Kuaishou

Kuaishou is a prominent short-video platform in China, offering a broad range of content. Its focus on short-form videos makes it ideal for creators and businesses targeting the Chinese market with engaging content.

• Monthly Active Users: 714 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Popular in China, with a broad age range.
• Types of Content: Short videos and live streaming.
• Best Suited For: Creators and businesses targeting the Chinese market with short-form video content.

X (formerly Twitter)

X, formerly known as Twitter, remains a go-to platform for real-time updates and news. Its fast-paced environment and engaged user base make it perfect for brands focusing on current events and customer service.

• Monthly Active Users: 611 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Largest age group is 25-34, with a gender distribution of 40% female and 60% male.
• Types of Content: Short text updates, images, videos, and live tweets.
• Best Suited For: Brands, influencers, and businesses focusing on real-time updates, news, and customer service.

Reddit

Reddit is a community-driven platform where users engage in deep discussions and niche topics, making it great for brands targeting specific interests.

• Monthly Active Users: 606 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Largest age group is 18-29, with nearly 60% males.
• Types of Content: Discussion threads, links, and community-driven content.
• Best Suited For: Brands and creators focusing on niche communities and in-depth discussions.

Sina Weibo

Sina Weibo is a leading microblogging platform in China, offering a mix of content types. Its broad user base makes it ideal for businesses and influencers aiming to engage the Chinese market with diverse content.

• Monthly Active Users: 599 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Popular in China, with a broad age range.
• Types of Content: Microblogging, images, and videos.
• Best Suited For: Businesses and influencers targeting the Chinese market.

QQ

QQ is a popular messaging and social media platform in China, particularly among younger demographics. Its versatile features make it suitable for businesses targeting youth in the Chinese market.

• Monthly Active Users: 562 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Popular in China, with a younger demographic.
• Types of Content: Instant messaging, social media posts, and gaming.
• Best Suited For: Businesses targeting younger audiences in China.

Pinterest

Pinterest is a visual discovery platform, popular for ideas and inspiration. Its user base, predominantly female, makes it ideal for brands in fashion, home decor, and lifestyle niches.

• Monthly Active Users: 553 million
• Average Audience Demographics: More popular among women, with strong engagement in fashion, home decor, and DIY spaces.
• Types of Content: Visual bookmarks, ideas, and inspiration.
• Best Suited For: Brands and creators in fashion, home decor, and lifestyle niches.

RedNote

RedNote is an emerging decentralized social media platform from China. Its focus on decentralization and innovative engagement methods makes it appealing to early adopters and tech enthusiasts.

• Monthly Active Users: 300 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Broad age range, with a focus on decentralized social media.
• Types of Content: Short text updates and discussions.
• Best Suited For: Early adopters, tech enthusiasts, and creators focusing on decentralized platforms.

Quora

Quora is a knowledge-sharing platform where users ask and answer questions. Its focus on expertise and insights makes it ideal for brands and thought leaders aiming to establish authority in their fields.

• Monthly Active Users: 300 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Broad age range, with a focus on knowledge sharing.
• Types of Content: Questions and answers, expert insights.
• Best Suited For: Experts, educators, and brands focusing on thought leadership.

Twitch

Twitch is the leading platform for live streaming, particularly in gaming. Its engaged audience makes it perfect for gamers, streamers, and brands focusing on live entertainment.

• Monthly Active Users: 240 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Primarily younger audiences, with a focus on gaming and live content.
• Types of Content: Live streams, gaming, and creative content.
• Best Suited For: Gamers, streamers, and brands focusing on live entertainment.

Discord

Discord is a popular communication platform among gamers, offering text, voice, and video interactions. Its community-building features make it ideal for gaming communities and creators focusing on engagement.

• Monthly Active Users: 200 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Primarily younger audiences, with a focus on gaming and community building.
• Types of Content: Text, voice, and video communication within communities.
• Best Suited For: Gaming communities, creators, and brands focusing on community engagement.

Threads

Threads, developed by Meta, is a text-based social media platform designed for real-time conversations and community engagement. It integrates closely with Instagram, allowing users to connect seamlessly with their existing audience.

• Monthly Active Users: 130 million
• Largest Age Group: 18-34
• Content Types: Short text updates, images, videos, discussions
• Best Suited For: Brands, influencers, and creators looking for interactive and conversational engagement

Tumblr

Tumblr is a creative expression platform, popular for blog posts and multimedia content. Its user base, focused on visual storytelling, makes it ideal for creators and brands aiming to build engaging communities.

• Monthly Active Users: 135 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Broad age range, with a focus on creative expression.
• Types of Content: Blog posts, images, and multimedia content.
• Best Suited For: Creators and brands focusing on visual storytelling and community building.

Substack

Substack is a popular platform for writers and journalists, focusing on long-form content and newsletters. Its subscription-based model makes it ideal for creators aiming to monetize their written content.

• Monthly Active Users: 35 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Broad age range, with a focus on long-form content and newsletters.
• Types of Content: Newsletters, articles, and subscription-based content.
• Best Suited For: Writers, journalists, and brands focusing on long-form content and subscriptions.

Bluesky

Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform gaining traction. Its focus on decentralization makes it appealing to early adopters and tech enthusiasts looking for innovative ways to engage online.

• Monthly Active Users: 30 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Broad age range, with a focus on decentralized social media.
• Types of Content: Short text updates and discussions.
• Best Suited For: Early adopters, tech enthusiasts, and creators focusing on decentralized platforms.

Mastodon

Mastodon is another decentralized social media platform with a dedicated user base. Its community-driven approach makes it ideal for early adopters and creators seeking alternative engagement methods.

• Best Suited For: Early adopters, tech enthusiasts, and creators focusing on decentralized platforms.
• Monthly Active Users: 1.5 million
• Average Audience Demographics: Broad age range, with a focus on decentralized social media.
• Types of Content: Short text updates and community-driven content.

Top Social Media Platforms Ranked

Different social media platforms serve different business needs, depending on who you want to reach and how you want to engage with them. Here’s a breakdown of how the top platforms compare based on audience size, engagement, and marketing features:

• Facebook – With its massive user base, Facebook is still the largest platform and offers a range of advertising options. It’s perfect for targeting various age groups and running effective ad campaigns.
• Instagram – Ideal for businesses that rely on visuals, Instagram offers high engagement, especially with younger users. Plus, it provides tools for shopping and sharing brand stories.
• YouTube – The go-to platform for video content, YouTube is great for tutorials, long-form videos, and quick tips. It’s perfect for reaching audiences who enjoy consuming video content.
• TikTok – TikTok is growing rapidly and offers huge viral potential. It’s ideal for brands looking to create attention-grabbing, short-form videos, especially to engage Gen Z and Millennials.
• LinkedIn – LinkedIn is the best platform for B2B marketing and professional networking. It’s a great place to share industry insights, build credibility, and connect with other professionals.
• Twitter/X – Twitter (now X) is great for real-time engagement. It’s perfect for trending topics, customer service, and staying updated with the latest news. Brands can engage with their audience quickly and directly.

Best Social Media Marketing Platforms

Choosing the right social media marketing platform depends on your business goals, target audience, and content strategy. Each platform has its unique features that cater to different marketing needs. Here’s a breakdown of the best platforms depending on your marketing goals objectives:

• For E-commerce: Facebook, Instagram, TikTok – These platforms make it easy to sell products with built-in shopping tools, product tagging, and tons of engagement.
• For Video Marketing: YouTube, TikTok – YouTube is great for long videos, deep dives, and tutorials, while TikTok thrives on quick, eye-catching clips that grab attention fast.
• For B2B Marketing: LinkedIn – The best place to connect with professionals, share industry insights, and build relationships that can lead to new opportunities.
• For Real-time Engagement: Twitter/X, Bluesky – Ideal for customer service, news updates, and joining trending conversations in the moment.
• For Community Building: Facebook Groups, Reddit, Discord – If you want to create a space where people can connect, ask questions, and stay engaged with your brand, these platforms are the way to go.

What Social Media Platforms are Best For You?

Being active on multiple social media platforms is important, but trying to keep up with all of them at once can spread your efforts too thin. Instead of trying to be everywhere, focus on the platforms that make the most sense for your goals.

Here are a few things to consider when deciding where to spend your time and energy:

• Define Your Goals: What do you want to get out of social media? Are you looking to grow brand awareness, generate leads, drive traffic, or build a community? Different platforms are better suited for different goals.
• Know Your Audience: Who are you trying to reach? Understanding your audience’s habits, interests, and where they spend their time online will help you choose the right platforms.
• Think About Your Industry: Some platforms work better for certain industries. For example, visually driven businesses thrive on Instagram and TikTok, while B2B companies often see more success on LinkedIn.
• Check Out the Competition: Take a look at where your competitors are most active. If they’re getting good engagement on a particular platform, it could be a sign that your audience is there too.
• Be Realistic About Your Resources: Social media takes time, effort, and sometimes money. Choose platforms you can keep up with consistently rather than stretching yourself too thin.

Focusing on the right platforms will help you create better content, connect with your audience, and get better results without feeling overwhelmed.

Metricool: The Best Social Media Marketing Tool

Managing multiple social media platforms efficiently can be overwhelming, but with the right tools, it becomes a breeze. That’s where Metricool comes in. Whether you’re scheduling posts, tracking how well your content is performing, or keeping an eye on the latest trends, Metricool is here to help social media managers, brands, and creators stay on top of their marketing game—so you can focus on what matters most: connecting with your audience and growing your business.

Multi-Platform Management: 

Metricool helps you plan, schedule, and manage content across all the big social media platforms—like Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube—all from one spot. Whether you’re posting across multiple channels or sticking to one, Metricool brings everything together, saving you time and effort. No more hopping between apps or browser tabs. You can keep your messaging consistent across the board and make sure your brand stays cohesive, no matter where you post.

Meta & Google Ads Management: 

Running ads on Facebook, Instagram, or Google? Metricool has you covered. You can track your paid campaigns right alongside your regular posts. Monitor your ad performance in real-time and make changes when you need to—all in one tool. This way, you can see how all your campaigns are doing, making it easier to adjust strategies on the fly.

Best Times to Post: 

Knowing when to post can make all the difference in reaching your audience. Metricool analyzes your engagement data and suggests the best times to post for each platform, helping your content get seen when it’s most likely to engage your audience. These smart recommendations are based on your audience’s habits, helping you get your content in front of the right people when they’re most likely to engage. By posting at these prime times, you’ll see more likes, shares, and comments, boosting your overall interaction.

Bulk Upload: 

Scheduling posts just got a lot easier with Metricool’s bulk upload feature. Instead of uploading posts one by one, you can upload multiple posts at once. It’s perfect for busy schedules or big campaigns. You can upload weeks (or even months) of content in one go, keeping your content calendar full and organized. And if something changes, you can easily adjust your schedule without a hassle.

Detailed Analytics: 

Get a clear picture of how your content is performing with Metricool’s real-time insights. Dive into data on everything from engagement and audience growth to ad performance. With these details, you can fine-tune your strategy and make smarter decisions. You’ll be able to spot what’s working and what’s not, so you can keep improving and getting better results.

Competitor Analysis: 

To stay ahead in social media, you need to know what your competitors are up to. Metricool’s competitor analysis tool makes it easy to track how other brands are performing. You can compare your engagement, follower growth, and content strategy to see what’s working for them—and what’s not. By keeping an eye on your competitors, you can spot opportunities, learn from their successes, and avoid their mistakes. This gives you a better idea of where you stand in your industry and helps you adjust your strategy to stay competitive.

Hashtag Research & Tracking: 

In the fast-paced world of social media, staying ahead of trends is important. Metricool’s hashtag research and tracking features help you discover what’s hot and what’s not. By using the most relevant hashtags and tapping into what’s trending, you can increase your content’s reach and engagement.

Automated Reporting: 

Tracking your progress doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Metricool’s automated reporting feature makes it easy to get detailed insights without hours of analysis. You can generate reports that cover everything from post performance to ad results, giving you a clear picture of how your campaigns are doing. This helps you quickly spot what’s working (and what’s not) so you can make adjustments on the fly. Automated reports save you time, allowing you to focus on refining your strategy and making smarter decisions based on the data.

Gretchen Oestreicher , 28 March 2025