Top Social Media Statistic Insights for 2025: What You Need to Know

Data is the game-changer in digital marketing, and getting social media strategies right in 2025 is crucial for growth. In this article, we’re diving into the latest insights on user growth, time spent, engagement levels, and platform preferences. Whether you’re a marketer, business owner, or digital strategist, these stats will help you make smarter, data-driven decisions and stay ahead of the curve.

The Rise of Social Media Users Worldwide

So, here’s something pretty interesting: the number of people using social media around the world has shot up to 5.24 billion in 2024. That’s a 4.1% increase from the year before. That means about 63.7% of the global population, including everyone online, is now active on social media. It’s crazy how much it’s become a part of daily life!

What’s even more impressive is the jump among internet users:  by 2025, around 94.2% will have some kind of social media presence. This shows just how crucial social media is for modern communication, and how much potential it has for reaching huge audiences.

With more people getting on board, businesses really need to rethink their marketing strategies to make the most of this trend. Understanding how many active users are out there, and what they’re into, can really help in creating social media marketing that hits the mark with all kinds of people.

Key Points

• Global Social Media Users (2024):
  5.24 billion users
  +4.1% from the previous year
• Global Population on Social Media:
  63.7% of the global population
  (including internet users)
• Projected Social Media Users by 2025:
  94.2% of internet users will have a social media presence

Average Daily Time Spent on Social Media Platforms

In 2024, people were spending an average of 2 hours and 19 minutes a day on social media. It’s a slight drop from the year before, but still a big chunk of the day. Just shows how much social media has become part of our daily routine!

What’s interesting is that some users were spending even more time, like up to 2 hours and 31 minutes a day back in 2023. Different people, different platforms, different engagement. So, it’s really important to know where your audience is spending their time. For businesses, these kinds of numbers are super useful. When you know how much time people are spending on social media, you can fine-tune your content, get your timing right, and really make sure your posts get seen and engaged with. Keeping up with these trends means you can stay on top of your social game and grab your audience’s attention when it matters.

Key Points

• Average Daily Time Spent on Social Media (2024):
  2 hours and 19 minutes
  (slightly down from the previous year)
• Peak Social Media Time (23):
• Some users spent up to 2 hours and 31 minutes daily
• Key Insight;
  The time spent varies across platforms, so it’s crucial to know where your audience is most active.

Mobile vs. Desktop Usage Trends in Social Media

Mobile devices have pretty much taken over when it comes to social media, with over 90% of interactions happening on them. It’s no surprise, really, since people tend to engage more on mobile than they do on desktop. The trend is only getting stronger, while desktop use is either staying the same or even dropping in some groups. Because of this, social media platforms are working hard to make sure their interfaces look and work great on mobile, giving users a smooth experience on smaller screens.

This shift is a big deal. Since everyone’s on their phones, making sure your content is mobile-friendly is a must. You’ve got to have sharp visuals and text that’s easy to read on a small screen. By aligning your social media strategies with how people are actually using their devices, you can connect with your audience way more effectively and build a stronger presence online.

Key Points

• Mobile Usage Dominates:
  Over 90% of social media interactions happen on mobile devices, and the trend is growing.
• Engagement Rates:
  Mobile users engage more than desktop users, and social media platforms are optimising for mobile.
• What This Means for Marketers:
  Content needs to be mobile-friendly. Think crisp visuals and text that’s easy to read on smaller screens. Adapting your strategy for mobile is key to keeping your audience engaged and boosting your social media presence.

Platform-Specific User Engagement

Engagement on social media can really vary depending on the platform. Take TikTok and Instagram, for example, they’re known for having super high interaction rates. On the other hand, Facebook still has a huge user base, but its engagement numbers are a bit lower compared to the newer platforms.

For marketers, understanding these differences is key. Each platform attracts a different crowd, so knowing where your audience spends their time is crucial for crafting the right marketing strategy. Next up, we’ll dive into how engagement works on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and Facebook Groups. By breaking down how people interact on each platform, you can get some solid insights on where to focus your efforts and how to create content that really speaks to your audience.

TikTok’s Dominance in Short-Form Video

TikTok has blown up to become the most downloaded app in the world, and it’s seriously shaking up the way we do short-form video. People flock to TikTok mainly for the entertainment factor, and that’s a huge reason for the platform’s rapid growth.

With its massive user base and fast growth, TikTok’s dominance in the short-form video space is hard to ignore. For marketers, this is a golden opportunity to tap into a super engaged audience that loves fresh, creative content.

To make the most of TikTok’s popularity, businesses can create quick, eye-catching videos that grab attention and get people to interact. Understanding how TikTok works is key to crafting a strategy that really resonates with its users.

Instagram Reels vs. Static Posts

Instagram Reels have totally changed the engagement game. When compared to static posts, Reels get way more interaction. As a result, brands are starting to lean more heavily into Reels, leaving behind the traditional posts.

User engagement is a big deal on Instagram, and the higher engagement rates for Reels show that people are shifting how they interact with content. Marketers need to take notice of this shift and adjust their strategies to make the most of it.

By focusing on creating engaging, dynamic Reels, businesses can boost their presence on Instagram and create stronger connections with their audience.

Facebook Groups for Community Building

Facebook Groups have turned out to be a really powerful way for people to connect with others who share similar interests, building tight-knit communities.

For marketers, Facebook Groups are a great chance to build a community around your brand. By actively participating and managing groups, businesses can strengthen their relationship with their audience and create a deeper sense of connection.

Engaged communities are invaluable for social media marketing. They offer a direct line to your customers and potential clients, allowing businesses to build loyalty and turn customers into brand advocates.

LinkedIn: Professional Networking and B2B Engagement

LinkedIn continues to be the leading platform for professional networking, boasting over 1 billion users worldwide. In the United States alone, it has more than 220 million active users. The platform facilitates significant professional interactions, with 7 people hired every minute and over 9,000 job applications submitted per minute. Additionally, more than 1.6 million feed updates are viewed per minute, and over 13,000 connections are made every minute.

For marketers, LinkedIn offers a unique opportunity to engage with a professional audience. The platform’s advertising reach extends to 1.03 billion users, representing 18% of the world’s population over 18 years of age. Notably, LinkedIn’s cost per lead is 28% lower than that of Google Ads, and it delivers a return on ad spend (ROAS) that is 2 to 5 times higher than other social media platforms.

Pinterest: Visual Discovery and Shopping Inspiration

Pinterest has established itself as a hub for visual discovery, with 537 million monthly active users. The platform is particularly influential in the shopping journey, with 80% of weekly Pinners feeling inspired by the shopping experience on Pinterest. Gen Z is Pinterest’s fastest-growing audience, making up 42% of their global user base. As of April 2024, 69.4% of total Pinterest users are female.

For businesses, Pinterest offers a valuable platform for brand discovery and engagement. Notably, 44% of Millennial Pinners (ages 25-34) have made a purchase as a result of seeing branded content on Pinterest.

Snapchat: Engaging Younger Audiences with Interactive Content

Snapchat has experienced significant growth, with over 800 million monthly active users and more than 414 million daily active users. The platform is particularly popular among younger demographics, with 41% of users aged 18-29 using Snapchat.

For marketers, Snapchat offers a dynamic platform for engaging younger audiences through interactive content. The average Snapchat user spends 3 hours and 33 minutes on the app each month, indicating a high level of engagement.

Key Points

• Platform-Specific Engagement:
  TikTok and Instagram have high interaction rates, making them ideal for creating engaging, short-form content. Facebook, though still massive in user numbers, sees lower engagement compared to these newer platforms.
• Content Strategy Insights:
  Understanding how each platform works is crucial for marketers. TikTok thrives on creative, quick videos, while Instagram Reels are more engaging than static posts. Facebook Groups are perfect for building loyal, tight-knit communities.
• Maximising Engagement Opportunities:
  On TikTok, focus on creating dynamic, attention-grabbing videos. For Instagram, embrace Reels to keep your audience engaged. On Facebook, actively managing Groups can help deepen brand relationships and foster customer loyalty.
  LinkedIn is great for B2B marketing, and Pinterest is an excellent choice for visually driven content that inspires purchases. Snapchat’s interactive nature is fantastic for reaching younger, highly engaged audiences.

Gender Distribution Among Social Media Users

By 2025, social media is expected to be pretty balanced when it comes to gender, with women making up about 50.9% of users and men accounting for 49.1%. This shows just how much social media appeals to everyone, regardless of gender.

That said, some platforms have a bit of a gender lean. For example, Instagram and Pinterest are mostly used by women, with women making up around 60% of their user base. On the flip side, platforms like LinkedIn and Reddit are more popular with men, with men making up about 70% and 62% of users, respectively.

For marketers, it’s really important to understand these gender patterns. Knowing where your audience hangs out and what they’re into can help you create content that really speaks to them and keeps them engaged.

Key Points

• Gender Distribution Insights:
  By 2025, the gender gap on social media will be pretty even, with women at 50.9% and men at 49.1%. But some platforms show stronger gender preferences, with Instagram and Pinterest leaning female and LinkedIn and Reddit being more male-dominated.
• Strategic Content Tailoring:
  Understanding where your audience fits within these gender distributions helps marketers create more targeted content. For platforms like Instagram and Pinterest, focusing on content that resonates with a predominantly female audience is key. For LinkedIn or Reddit, where male users dominate, adapting content to fit those preferences can boost engagement.
• Effective Targeting:
  Tailoring content to align with the gender makeup of each platform ensures you’re reaching the right people with the right message. This can make your social media strategy more impactful and help you connect with your target audience.

Age Group Insights

Social media use really varies depending on the age group. By early 2025, Instagram and TikTok are leading the way for younger users, especially Gen Z. This group, expected to make up around 62.5 million people, is super active on these platforms.

Millennials, on the other hand, are expected to hit 69.2 million users and they’re engaging a lot on platforms like YouTube and Facebook. YouTube, in particular, is huge among people aged 18 to 29, with about 93% of them using the platform. Facebook is still popular for users between 30 and 49, with 75% of this age group using it. Interestingly, Facebook is also hanging on with seniors aged 65 and up, with 58% of them using it.

For marketers, knowing how each age group interacts with social media is key. By tailoring your content to fit the preferences of these different groups, you can connect more effectively with your audience and attract new followers.

Key Points

• Age Group Breakdown:
  Instagram and TikTok dominate with younger audiences, especially Gen Z, who are expected to be around 62.5 million users. Millennials are big on YouTube and Facebook, with YouTube seeing 93% usage among 18-29-year-olds, and Facebook remaining strong among users aged 30-49 and seniors aged 65+.
• Targeted Marketing Strategy:
  Understanding the age preferences across platforms is crucial for crafting marketing strategies. For younger users, focus on platforms like Instagram and TikTok, while for older demographics, YouTube and Facebook should be prioritized.
• Engaging Different Audiences:
  Adjusting your content to the interests and usage patterns of each age group will help you connect better with existing customers and expand your reach to new ones.

Social Media as a Marketing Tool

Social media marketing comes with a ton of benefits. It’s a great way to get more exposure and connect with a huge audience. In fact, over 80% of marketers say social media is key to boosting brand visibility and reaching new customers.

What’s also awesome is that advertising on social media is super cost-effective. You can reach a massive audience without breaking the bank. Plus, you can target your ads to specific groups based on things like age, gender, and location, so you’re hitting the right people.

Another big win is that social media is perfect for lead generation and building community. By creating engaging content and encouraging interactions, especially in spaces like Facebook Groups, businesses can create a loyal customer base and really boost brand loyalty.

The verdict: Why Social Media in 2025 Matters & How DNRG can Help

Social media is bigger than ever, and if businesses want to stay ahead, they need to keep up with how people are using it. From the unstoppable rise of TikTok and Instagram Reels to the fact that over 90% of social interactions now happen on mobile, the way we connect online is constantly evolving.

That’s where DNRG comes in. We help brands make sense of the latest trends and turn them into real results. Whether it is creating engaging content, running targeted ads, or making sure your strategy actually speaks to your audience, we have you covered. Paid social campaigns (like these) take it a step further than organic, as it gives businesses the opportunity to reach their audiences more effectively through precise targeting. So, If you want to grow your brand and stay ahead in 2025 let’s chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the statistics of social media usage?

A staggering 63.8% of the world’s population uses social media, with an average daily usage of about 2 hours and 19 minutes. Notably, 86.1% of adults aged 18 and over are active on these platforms, underscoring their widespread impact.

What are social media statistics called?

Social media statistics are commonly referred to as social media analytics. This involves collecting and analsing data from social platforms to evaluate performance and guide strategy.

What is the current number of social media users worldwide?

Currently, there are around 5.24 billion social media users worldwide, which is about 63.7% of the global population. That’s a huge part of our world staying connected!

How much time do people spend on social media daily?

On average, people spend around 2 hours and 19 minutes each day on social media. That’s quite a bit of time, isn’t it?

Which platform has the highest engagement rates?

TikTok definitely leads the way in engagement rates, especially with its short-form videos, and Instagram Reels isn’t far behind. If you’re looking to connect with an audience, these platforms are where the action is!