Gitnux/Report 2026

Social Media Growth Statistics

With TikTok hitting 3.1 billion monthly active users globally in 2024 and Meta’s Family DAP climbing to 3.29 billion in Q4 2024, Social Media Growth turns raw reach into a clear signal about where attention is consolidating. Pair that with the business side, where paid social and analytics are getting more expensive and more essential, and you will see exactly which platforms, formats, and tools are pulling ahead right now.
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3 days agoUpdated
Social Media Growth Statistics
Leah KesslerWritten by Leah Kessler·Edited by Catherine Wu·Fact-checked by Abigail Foster
Last verified Jul 1, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

04Cite

Every figure carries a primary source. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates so the report can be cited.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Next review Jan 2027
Social media platforms keep expanding their audiences. Meta reached 3.29 billion daily active people across its apps. Short form video accounts for 44 percent of global time spent on social media.

Key Takeaways

  • 3.96 billion people used social media worldwide in January 2019 (equal to 51% of the global population), per DataReportal.
  • 58% of UK internet users use social media multiple times a day
  • Short-form video accounted for 44% of global time spent on social media in 2023 (Cultural & entertainment industry analysis summarized by DataReportal).
  • In the US, 2023 survey results showed 71% of adults use YouTube, 36% use Instagram, and 33% use TikTok (Pew Research Center).
  • In the EU, 2024 Eurobarometer results showed 55% of individuals used social media weekly (reflecting platform usage trends).
  • In 2023, LinkedIn had 1.0 billion monthly active users (performance metric: platform reach; DataReportal platform table).
  • Meta reported 3.24 billion daily active people (DAP) using at least one of its Families of Apps in Q1 2024, indicating ongoing reach/engagement growth (Meta earnings release).
  • Meta reported 3.26 billion daily active people (DAP) in Q2 2024 (Meta Q2 2024 results).
  • TikTok’s user base in the US was 170.6 million in 2023 (U.S. audience size estimate), per Statista’s audience data published via its “TikTok - Statistics & Facts” page.
  • The global social media management software market was valued at $10.26 billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach $20.56 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research).
  • The global social media analytics market size was $5.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $13.4 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights).
  • In 2023, the average monthly cost of using social media management software ranged from $15 to $49 per user per month for mid-market plans (G2 pricing/benchmark).
  • B2B marketers using social media report a median cost-per-lead of $45 (survey benchmark)
  • In 2024, 61% of marketers said paid social is more effective than it was 12 months ago (survey result)

Billions use social media, and short form video and paid social are driving faster growth and engagement.

Related reading

01 · Category

User Adoption2 stats

01
3.96 billion people used social media worldwide in January 2019 (equal to 51% of the global population), per DataReportal.
02
58% of UK internet users use social media multiple times a day
Interpretation

User Adoption Interpretation

User adoption is already massive, with 3.96 billion people using social media worldwide in January 2019, and in the UK 58% of internet users checking multiple times a day, showing the shift from occasional use to everyday behavior.

03 · Category

Performance Metrics8 stats

01
In 2023, LinkedIn had 1.0 billion monthly active users (performance metric: platform reach; DataReportal platform table).
02
Meta reported 3.24 billion daily active people (DAP) using at least one of its Families of Apps in Q1 2024, indicating ongoing reach/engagement growth (Meta earnings release).
03
Meta reported 3.26 billion daily active people (DAP) in Q2 2024 (Meta Q2 2024 results).
04
Meta reported 3.28 billion daily active people (DAP) in Q3 2024 (Meta Q3 2024 results).
05
Meta’s Family Daily Active People (DAP) grew to 3.29 billion in Q4 2024 (Meta Q4 2024 results).
06
Instagram Stories ads had an average engagement rate of 1.97% across analyzed campaigns in 2023 (Sprout Social benchmarks).
07
Meta reported 3.29 billion Family daily active people (DAP) in Q4 2024 (reach metric)
08
TikTok had 3.1 billion monthly active users globally in 2024
Interpretation

Performance Metrics Interpretation

Across key Performance Metrics, the biggest story is Meta’s steady climb in daily active people from 3.24 billion in Q1 2024 to 3.29 billion by Q4 2024, underscoring expanding audience reach at scale while Instagram Stories ads averaged a 1.97% engagement rate in 2023.

More related reading

04 · Category

Market Size5 stats

01
TikTok’s user base in the US was 170.6 million in 2023 (U.S. audience size estimate), per Statista’s audience data published via its “TikTok - Statistics & Facts” page.
02
The global social media management software market was valued at $10.26 billion in 2022 and is forecast to reach $20.56 billion by 2030 (Grand View Research).
03
The global social media analytics market size was $5.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach $13.4 billion by 2030 (Fortune Business Insights).
04
The global social media platform market is forecast to grow from $31.3 billion in 2023 to $83.2 billion by 2032 (Fortune Business Insights estimate).
05
Influencer marketing market size reached $21.1 billion globally in 2023
Interpretation

Market Size Interpretation

The market size for social media and its ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with figures like the global social media platform market rising from $31.3 billion in 2023 to $83.2 billion by 2032 and influencer marketing reaching $21.1 billion in 2023, signaling strong overall growth momentum.

05 · Category

Cost Analysis4 stats

01
In 2023, the average monthly cost of using social media management software ranged from $15to $49 per user per month for mid-market plans (G2 pricing/benchmark).
02
B2B marketers using social media report a median cost-per-lead of $45(survey benchmark)
03
In 2024, 61% of marketers said paid social is more effective than it was 12 months ago (survey result)
04
Brands using influencer marketing paid $1,000per post on average for mid-tier creators in 2023
Interpretation

Cost Analysis Interpretation

For cost analysis, social media marketing spend is staying tightly bounded for tools and lead generation, with mid-market software averaging $15 to $49 per user per month and B2B marketers reporting a median cost-per-lead of $45, while paid social and influencer budgets continue to rise with 61% of marketers saying paid social is more effective than 12 months ago and mid-tier influencer posts averaging $1,000 in 2023.
report visual · Comparison

Meta’s Daily Active People Climbed Through 2024

Meta’s Family Daily Active People (DAP) increased steadily quarter over quarter throughout 2024, indicating continued reach/engagement growth.

Meta’s Family Daily Active People (DAP) grew to 3.29 billion in Q4 2024 (Meta Q4 2024 results).3.29
Meta reported 3.29 billion Family daily active people (DAP) in Q4 2024 (reach metric)3.29
Meta reported 3.28 billion daily active people (DAP) in Q3 2024 (Meta Q3 2024 results).3.28
Meta reported 3.26 billion daily active people (DAP) in Q2 2024 (Meta Q2 2024 results).3.26
source-verifiedinvestor.fb.com2024
Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Leah Kessler. (2026, February 13). Social Media Growth Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/social-media-growth-statistics
MLA
Leah Kessler. "Social Media Growth Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/social-media-growth-statistics.
Chicago
Leah Kessler. 2026. "Social Media Growth Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/social-media-growth-statistics.

Sources & references

26 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

datareportal.compewresearch.orgstatista.comgrandviewresearch.comfortunebusinessinsights.comeuropa.euinvestor.fb.comsproutsocial.comg2.comofcom.org.ukthinkwithgoogle.cominfluencermarketinghub.comwyzowl.comtiktok.combusinessresearchinsights.comhubspot.comsocialmediaexaminer.comtrendsetter.io

+8 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)