With extra social media platforms than ever earlier than to select from, manufacturers are confronted with a troublesome query: which of them are proper for me? Slightly than make use of the “spray and pray” methodology, figuring out which social media platforms your clients use is an efficient method to join together with your audience the place they’re at. In keeping with the newest Sprout Social Index™, Fb, YouTube and Instagram are the highest social media platforms customers will use within the subsequent 12 months.
Within the eyes of the patron, all social platforms are usually not created equal. Their social platform preferences range based mostly on components like age and curiosity—and even then there’s no assure the platform of their alternative is the place they like to have interaction with manufacturers.
However that is simply the tip of the iceberg. From the rise of short-form video to the evolution of social messaging apps within the buyer expertise, the digital panorama is altering. Maintaining with platforms, new and previous, is essential if you wish to entice new followers, and join with present ones. On this article, we’ll share the need-to-know stats—together with our analysis from the Sprout Social Index™—and insights about a few of the hottest social media platforms that can assist you decide which of them to prioritize in your technique.
15+ of the highest social media platforms to spice up your technique
- Fb
- TikTok
- YouTube
- Twitch
- Google My Enterprise
- Yelp
- Tumblr
- TripAdvisor
- Snapchat
- Platform to Watch: BeReal
1. Fb
Key Stats:
- Month-to-month world energetic customers: Almost three billion
- US customers: Over 179 million
- Common time spent per day (US): half-hour
- Largest age group: 25-34 12 months olds
- Who ought to use it: Brick and mortar small companies (suppose: native occasions and opinions) and nonprofits (suppose: fundraisers) are two industries that stand out on Fb. It’s additionally helpful for creating completely different curiosity teams, customer support and social promoting.
Why try to be on Fb
Reigning as the most well-liked social platform by month-to-month energetic customers worldwide, Fb is one community companies can’t afford to disregard of their digital technique. In keeping with the Sprout Social Index™, 71% of customers and 65% of entrepreneurs plan on utilizing this platform probably the most within the subsequent 12 months.
For manufacturers seeking to improve their attain and develop their enterprise, there’s a very good probability their subsequent buyer is on Fb. Paid social advertisements attain these clients—in reality, greater than 1 / 4 of all digital advert spending goes in the direction of Fb.
Fb messaging and opinions are additionally essential customer support and social media instruments. Contemplating 60% of customers say they use Fb probably the most for customer support, it’s a key platform to satisfy your clients the place they’re at. Including a Fb chatbot via a device like Sprout Social can enhance your conversational social messaging and responsiveness.
2. WhatsApp
Key Stats:
- Month-to-month world distinctive energetic customers: Over two billion
- US customers: Over 68.1 million
- Common time spent per day: 28 minutes
- Largest age group: 26-35 12 months olds
- Who ought to use it: Direct-to-consumer manufacturers like retailers and even monetary providers can profit from providing customer support to a world viewers.
Why try to be on WhatsApp
WhatsApp is the hottest world messaging app. For manufacturers, WhatsApp presents a possibility to personally join with clients everywhere in the world, offering well timed help and real-time enterprise updates. And making personalised interactions simpler issues—70% of individuals say they anticipate conversational experiences with manufacturers on social, and 60% of manufacturers say DM-ing performs a job of their buyer care technique. With a device like Sprout, entrepreneurs can effectively handle their WhatsApp DMs alongside all different social media messages to make sure no buyer will get left behind.
For those who’re questioning the way to use Whatsapp for enterprise, there are a lot of choices; from commonplace buyer care to artistic advertising. For instance, Dior just lately launched a marketing campaign utilizing Whatsapp to host unique conversations with world influencer, Jisoo.
Me utilizing Dior whatsapp marketing campaign to textual content Jisoo and say how a lot I really like her, in addition to feeling completely satisfied I obtain movies from her 🤍🙌🏻 thank u @Dior ✨ pic.twitter.com/kaDSHcngmT
— L 🤍 (@effxrpink) Could 7, 2022
3. TikTok
Key Stats:
Why try to be on TikTok
Recognized for less-polished, meme-y quick movies, TikTok dominates as one of many platforms US customers spend probably the most time on, and it’s not the brand new child on the block. With 38% of customers anticipating it to be one of many platforms they use probably the most this 12 months, it’s time to provide TikTok advertising a strive.
Displaying up with genuine content material on TikTok can construct belief with customers on the platform—73% of customers really feel a deeper connection to manufacturers they work together with on TikTok vs different platforms. Contemplating practically half of customers say TikTok helped them make buy selections, that belief can go a good distance.
TikTok tendencies can encourage different social content material—on the app or on different platforms—and assist entrepreneurs perceive what subjects are related to youthful customers. And whereas TikTok stays a core platform to achieve Gen Z, the app has aged up, making it potential to achieve a extra cross-generational viewers, too.
4. Instagram
Key Stats:
Month-to-month world energetic customers: Over two billion
US customers: Over 159 million
Common time spent per day (within the US): half-hour
Largest age group: 25-34 12 months olds
Who ought to use it: Journey, magnificence, vogue and well being/health are likely to do properly on Instagram. In case your model is all-in on influencer advertising, posting user-generated content material and utilizing short-form video, Instagram is essential.
Why try to be on Instagram
Instagram is without doubt one of the most generally used platforms amongst US adults, and 49% of customers anticipate it to be the platform they use most this 12 months. Because the desire for short-form video will increase, manufacturers have to spend money on platforms like Instagram the place this content material is king. Instagram can also be a key place to faucet for influencer or creator collaborations—which is particularly impactful for Gen Z and Millennial audiences.
The convenience of Instagram purchasing has additionally made the platform a purchasing hub. With 70% of customers seeking to the platform for his or her subsequent buy, leveraging this characteristic might help you join with clients whereas making gross sales. Customers are additionally sliding into DMs with questions and suggestions, making Instagram a helpful element of your customer support.
5. YouTube
Key Stats:
- Month-to-month world energetic customers: Over two billion
- US customers: 240 million
- Common time spent per day (within the US): 45.6 minutes
- Largest age group: 15-35 12 months olds
- Who ought to use it: The industries with the strongest influencer media worth on YouTube are tech, gaming, meals and beverage, magnificence and vogue. And because the second largest search engine on the planet, YouTube content material can develop your attain past the platform.
Why try to be on YouTube
YouTube is a perfect platform for manufacturers seeking to attain and have interaction with their viewers—each in-platform and in Google search. With the addition of YouTube Shorts, the platform has saved up with the occasions by including a short-form video feed—a format customers discover 2.5 occasions extra partaking than long-form.
Of all of the social platforms, YouTube is the place individuals spend probably the most common time per day, second solely behind TikTok. In truth, whereas 51% of customers plan on YouTube being considered one of their top-used platforms this 12 months, solely 35% of entrepreneurs say the identical. Leisure is a content material issue, however you may as well characteristic merchandise in visually-appealing methods. Chipotle makes use of their channel for brief movies and celeb options, however in addition they characteristic easy movies highlighting new dishes.
6. Twitch
Key Stats:
Why try to be on Twitch
In keeping with the 2022 Sprout Social Index™, 37% of customers suppose reside video is probably the most partaking kind of content material. Although Twitch is commonly related to gaming, it’s shortly turning into the go-to platform for all issues live-streaming. At any given time there are hundreds of thousands of energetic streamers on Twitch, making it a great platform for manufacturers seeking to goal youthful audiences like Millennials and Gen Z via reside video. HelloFresh, for instance, just lately began a six-episode sequence of cooking challenges on Twitch referred to as “Unleash the Feast,” the place streamers might watch, take part by commenting, win prizes and extra.
7. Pinterest
Key Stats:
Why try to be on Pinterest
Pinterest is nice for recognizing rising tendencies and concentrating on area of interest audiences. It’s additionally customers’ go-to platform for inspiration and discovering new manufacturers—97% of prime Pinterest searches are unbranded, and 85% of customers go to begin a challenge, like planning for a marriage or a birthday. And whereas the vast majority of their person base skews older, Gen Z customers are rising on the platform.
Take a look at how Entire Meals makes use of Pinterest for posts which can be inspiring, visually-appealing and plug their merchandise in a pure means.
8. Twitter
Key Stats:
- Monetizable every day energetic customers: 237 million
- US customers: 76.9 million
- Common time spent per day: 34.8 minutes
- Largest age group: 18-29 12 months olds
- Who ought to use it: The jewellery business will get probably the most engagement on Twitter, as does fast-moving shopper items, meals, drinks and residential. However increased training is an business that may uniquely profit from Twitter by creating completely different channels for the number of sports activities groups, areas of research and communities they cater to.
Why try to be on Twitter
Twitter is without doubt one of the prime social media platforms for manufacturers maintaining with the newest tendencies and conversations that their audience cares about. One in all Twitter’s newer options, Twitter Areas, makes it potential to have reside conversations together with your viewers that you would be able to promote beforehand, and Tweet out later.
Twitter additionally allows manufacturers to obtain direct viewers suggestions and questions. And being responsive can construct your model’s picture—Twitter buyer care interactions result in a 58% higher perspective in the direction of manufacturers. This makes the platform a robust place to gather shopper insights on the way to enhance merchandise, providers or social content material.
9. LinkedIn
Key Stats:
- Members worldwide: 830 million
- US customers: 190 million
- Common time spent per day: 34.8 minutes
- Largest age group: 25-34
- Who ought to use it: Virtually each enterprise can profit, however a few of the prime industries they spotlight in a latest report are tech & info, finance, healthcare, media & leisure, advertising & promoting, journey and hospitality, retail, shopper items and actual property.
Why try to be on LinkedIn
Whereas LinkedIn is commonly related to B2B advertising, there are many the explanation why manufacturers ought to take into account growing their LinkedIn technique. Because the world’s largest skilled community, it’s among the finest social media platforms for enterprise and for lead technology; manufacturers are in a position to hyper-target their skilled viewers utilizing wealthy demographic information and interest-based filtering. It’s additionally house to job seekers and buyers, making LinkedIn a helpful useful resource for recruiting and establishing your employer branding technique to distinguish out of your rivals.
10. Reddit
Key Stats:
- Members worldwide: 430 million
- US customers: 221.19 million
- Common time spent per day: 34 minutes
- Largest age group within the US: 20-29
- Who ought to use it: Reddit is a superb place to construct group or be a part of particular conversations. Among the hottest Reddit subjects of 2021 have been cryptocurrency, gaming, sports activities, weddings, well being and health, foods and drinks and flicks and TV.
Why try to be on Reddit
Reddit is without doubt one of the most trafficked social media websites, with billions of visits monthly and over 100,000 interest-based communities. It’s a platform recognized for selling genuine connection, the place Redditors particularly search for and be a part of conversations they will belief. Reddit is house to engaged communities crammed with individuals who share all types of pursuits. Even in the event you don’t be a part of the dialog, listening to what Redditors are saying results in helpful insights that you should utilize to enhance your model’s product and providers.
11. Google My Enterprise
Key Stats:
- When in search of contact data, 64% of customers search for a enterprise’ Google My Enterprise web page.
Why try to be on Google My Enterprise
Whereas not a conventional social media app, Google My Enterprise is an equally necessary platform due to the function opinions play within the purchaser journey. Google reigns supreme as customers’ favourite evaluate website—63.6% of customers say they’re more likely to examine Google opinions to analysis a enterprise.
Platforms like Google My Enterprise make it straightforward so that you can reply to buyer opinions as they arrive in, and shortly tackle inaccuracies or misinformation. The power to observe suggestions immediately in Google My Enterprise helps you strengthen your model’s on-line status whereas offering clients the context they should make knowledgeable selections.
12. Yelp
Key Stats:
Why try to be on Yelp
A web-based evaluate administration technique is a must have for any model that wishes completely satisfied clients and a shot at cultivating model advocacy. Yelp is particularly useful for companies in industries like meals and beverage, native providers, nightlife and leisure. The opinions on Yelp go a good distance in influencing buyer sentiment towards a model—each constructive and destructive. And although nobody likes to be criticized, destructive opinions might help companies determine areas for enchancment and double down on their strengths. Plus, responsiveness helps—45% of customers say they’re extra more likely to go to companies after they reply to unhealthy opinions.
13. Tumblr
Key Stats:
Why try to be on Tumblr
Creativity by no means runs dry on Tumblr, the place there are over 518.7 million blogs publishing 12.8 million posts per day. Tumblr offers manufacturers a possibility to flex their artistic muscle with a wide range of content material codecs from textual content posts to photographs to movies and even audio content material. It additionally offers manufacturers the ability to achieve their meant viewers, concentrating on customers based mostly on demographic info like location and curiosity. What’s extra—Tumblr’s reputation is on the rise with the youthful technology. Gen-Z makes up a whopping 48% of the microblogging website’s viewers.
One of many newer huge model strikes on Tumblr was made by Disney+ to advertise the present, Loki. Capitalizing on the fandom communities Tumblr is thought for, they created the “Tomblr” web page the place star of the present, Tom Hiddleston, took the wheel to reply fan questions.
14. TripAdvisor
Key Stats:
- Common month-to-month distinctive guests: 463 million
- Whole opinions: Over one billion
- Visitors from the US: 68% of all visitors in Could 2022
- Who ought to use it: For those who’re within the tourism business, from lodging and transportation to vacation spot experiences, Tripadvisor is an important platform to be on.
Why try to be on Tripadvisor
For journey and hospitality manufacturers, few evaluate websites are extra necessary than Tripadvisor. It’s probably the most fashionable journey evaluate web sites within the US, and about 12% of bookings for motels or personal lodging by US customers are finished via Tripadvisor. In different phrases, the evaluate website represents the final probability a enterprise has to persuade vacationers to decide on their providers over a competitor.
When manufacturers keep their Tripadvisor profile, they’re higher positioned to offer vacationers the main points they should make knowledgeable selections. And as journey continues to climb—and face challenges—now could be the time for manufacturers to revisit and revive their Tripadvisor technique.
15. Snapchat
Key Stats:
- Every day energetic customers: 300+ million (as of Q1 2022)
- US customers: 87.3 million
- Common time spent per day: half-hour
- Largest age group: 15-25 12 months olds
- Who ought to use it: Companies that maintain in-person occasions or experiences can profit from utilizing personalized geofilters or AR results on Snapchat.
Why try to be on Snapchat (H3)
Whereas it could not have a flashy, “billion-with-a-B” energetic customers like different apps do, Snapchat is usually a useful platform in case your viewers is principally Gen Z. And with every day energetic customers growing by 18% 12 months over 12 months, the platform’s reputation isn’t really fizzling out with youthful crowds.
Snapchat has additionally leaned into augmented actuality past filters by providing straightforward AR purchasing. Contemplating that 92% of Gen Z is occupied with AR purchasing experiences, Snapchat could possibly be a robust platform to amplify your merchandise to this viewers. Whereas 19% of customers say Snapchat shall be one of many platforms they use probably the most this 12 months, solely 9% of entrepreneurs say the identical. Which factors to a spot that your model might fill.
16. WeChat
Key Stats:
- Month-to-month energetic customers: Over one billion—largely communities talking Chinese language languages
- US customers: 1.48 million
- Common time spent per day: 82 minutes
- Largest age group: 22% of customers in China are between 31 and 40. One other 22.7% are 51+
- Who ought to use it: Manufacturers with a world presence and goal audiences who communicate Chinese language languages.
Why try to be on WeChat
Half messaging app, half cost app, half way of life platform, WeChat’s social commerce integrations and excessive message capability have made it a component of on a regular basis life for customers—particularly these in China. On the social connection facet, WeChat customers ship greater than 45 billion messages day-after-day. And on the monetary facet, WeChat is a chief of cellular funds in China. Customers are in a position to do every thing from reserving and paying for medical appointments, to reserving taxis and tables at eating places. WeChat’s many app integrations make it straightforward to observe Official Accounts—mainly, enterprise profiles. In truth, practically 50% of customers observe 10-20 Official Accounts.
If a good portion of your viewers is in China or speaks Chinese language languages—together with Chinese language vacationers who’re driving adoption of WeChat all over the world—WeChat is a major platform to attach with them.
17. Platform to observe: BeReal
Key Stats:
- Whole world installs: 10.7 million
- Month-to-month visits: Over 5 million
- Largest age group: Gen Z
- Who ought to use it: That has but to be decided. However if you wish to experiment with genuine content material and get in on the bottom ground of a brand new platform, begin experimenting on BeReal.
Why it is best to keep watch over BeReal (H3)
BeReal is without doubt one of the new social media platforms shortly gaining consideration. Generally known as the “anti-Instagram,” the purpose of BeReal is to characteristic extra genuine content material with zero polish. The app provides you only a two-minute window every day to submit, throughout which you’ll take and publish an unedited photograph that options each a front-facing and back-facing view.
The platform noticed a 390% improve in downloads in Q1 of this 12 months vs This autumn of 2021. Nevertheless it’s nonetheless early phases, leaning extra into human connections than model accounts and, on prime of that, prohibits promoting. But, Chipotle is a stand-out model that has discovered artistic—and profitable—methods to make use of it, even with a tiny following in comparison with their different channels.
Which social media platforms are your viewers members on?
To construct buyer relationships that final, you first have to determine the place your viewers lives on-line. However understanding which social media platforms your clients frequent is simply half the battle. You additionally want to grasp what makes every social media website tick and the principles of engagement.
To successfully set benchmarks for your self on numerous social media platforms, try our social media benchmarks by business useful resource for the info and insights that you must inform your social technique at this time.
