You’re in luck! This post is exactly that.
As a millennial, I’ve been around since the beginning of Facebook (and no, MySpace isn’t on the list!), and I’ve evolved over time to try each and every one of these apps.
So join me as I take you on a tour through the basics of all the social media apps you need to know — so you can decide which one is for you.
And we’ll start with the one everyone keeps talking about…
1. X/Twitter: The Pulse of the Internet
Monthly active users: 368 million
X (Formerly Twitter) is valuable because of its immediacy and brevity. The popular social media platform has become the go-to place for the latest news, making it an excellent tool for brand positioning.
A crucial tip is to take advantage of X’s hashtag feature — this can catapult your tweets into trending topics and increase their reach to X users.
X’s Lists feature also allows you to categorize accounts, helping you keep track of competitors, industry leaders, or key influencers in your sector. This can provide valuable insights into trending topics, customer feedback, or strategies that you can implement in your own business.
Personally, I like X/Twitter for “micro-learning”. I like to follow my favorite psychologists, life coaches, sociologists and other brilliant people and dive into a few of their threads (short series of tweets) to learn new insights in a minute or less.
The downside of X/Twitter for me, is the drama — you can come across a lot of people who don’t know how to have a civilized conversation without hurling insults. But if you curate your feed (meaning follow only the people you like and respect), you should be fine.
2. Facebook: The Unstoppable Giant
Monthly active users: 3 billion
We can’t discuss social media without talking about the platform that started it all — Facebook.
Facebook remains as popular as ever because of its unparalleled reach and functionality. Aside from the simple, intuitive pleasure of keeping up with friends and family, Facebook is also an extensive social media marketing tool.
If you’re a business owner, you can use the platform’s sophisticated targeting options to leverage demographic information, user interests, and behaviors to reach your target audience.
One key feature to explore is Facebook Groups — whether you’re joining existing groups relevant to your industry or starting your own, this feature offers a sense of community, engagement, and visibility that can lead to increased brand awareness and customer loyalty.
Another great feature is Facebook Messenger, a private messaging tool allowing users to send each other private text, videos, or files.
For me, Facebook is a great way to keep up with family and friends, but I also really enjoy joining Facebook groups and chatting with strangers that share my interests!
3. YouTube: The Video Behemoth
Monthly active users: 2.68 billion
YouTube, the unparalleled king of video content, serves as a platform for everything from educational content to entertainment.
Businesses can take advantage of YouTube’s broad user base and powerful search engine (second only to Google). To maximize your channel’s effectiveness, SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is critical.
Pay attention to your video titles, descriptions, and tags to ensure they are keyword-optimized. Creating engaging playlists and linking to them at the end of your videos can keep viewers on your channel longer.
A top tip is to utilize YouTube’s Community Tab (once you reach 1,000 subscribers) to engage with your audience through text updates, polls, and more.
If you’re a casual user like me, YouTube is a world of wonders. You can learn how to style your hair, how to make change your own oil…how to do just about anything. You can also watch funny animal videos, cool science experiments, and dances from all of the world. What i’m trying to say is, YouTube is a great source of entertainment and knowledge.
4. Instagram: A Visual Powerhouse
Monthly active users: 2.35 billion
Instagram is where aesthetics and business collide. This visually-driven platform has become an essential tool for brands, artists, and influencers alike.
Plus, Instagram shopping, a feature that allows a social media user to buy products directly from your posts or Instagram story, is a must-try for businesses and those interested in influencer marketing.
Instagram’s algorithm favors engagement, so consider creating polls or questions in your stories or Instagram reels to keep your target audience engaged and increase your visibility.
A pro tip? Utilize the power of hashtags.
They can significantly expand your content’s reach and visibility, and connect you with like-minded users and potential customers.
For me, Instagram is a great way to see pictures and videos of my friends, but also to follow the influencers and thought leaders I love.
5. WhatsApp: The Global Communicator
Monthly active users: 2.24 billion
WhatsApp, a widely-used social network app, is a star in the realm of instant messaging. Embraced by social media users all over the world, it’s a game-changer for maintaining personal and professional relationships.
You can always use WhatsApp to chat with friends, share pictures, or even engage in group discussions, but have you heard of WhatsApp Business?
This is where it gets even more interesting.
With WhatsApp Business, small businesses have an interactive platform to connect directly with their customers, send product updates, and even provide customer service. It also allows businesses to create a catalog to showcase their products or services.
Talk about a mini mobile shopfront right within an app!
Personally, I like to use WhatsApp to talk to my brother who frequently travels all around the world, and my sister who live across the country.
6. TikTok: The Viral Sensation
Monthly active users: 1.6 billion
TikTok, the fresh social media app on the block, has seized global attention, especially among younger audiences. Its short, snappy videos and ever-evolving trends make it a potent entertainment powerhouse.
Driven by user creativity, TikTok lets users create and participate in massively popular trends.
TikTok is my personal favorite out of all social media apps. And in recent years, it has gone way beyond dance challenges. The best part of TikTok is that it gives you access everyday people who are talented and hilarious. You don’t have to turn on Netflix or watch SNL to see people making hysterical skits or displaying fascinating talents.
TikTok also makes it super easy to create and edit your own videos, so you can test your ideas and connect with millions of people.
7. Snapchat: The Ephemeral Wonder
Monthly active users: 750 million
Snapchat, favored among youthful internet users, thrives on instant messaging, but with a twist: messages and pictures vanish after viewing.
The ephemeral nature of the app lends a sense of fleeting fun to each interaction, the digital version of whispering secrets that stay private.
The platform also offers quirky lenses and filters for the creative and playful user.
Ever dreamt of swapping faces with your pet or becoming a cartoon character? Snapchat makes it possible.
I’ve used snapchat to keep up with my younger family members. It’s fun to see the types of videos they make, and what kind of trouble they’re getting into!
8. Telegram: The Secure Messenger
Monthly active users: 700 million
When it comes to instant messaging, Telegram Messenger sets the standard. A standout feature of this popular app is its emphasis on security and speed.
But it’s not just about secure conversations, Telegram extends its usability far beyond just messaging.
For example, did you know you can create a public channel on Telegram?
This can serve as a newsfeed to share updates with your followers, a space to broadcast your thoughts, or even a dedicated channel for your business updates.
And Telegram even offers a file-sharing feature that supports large file sizes, allowing users to send ebooks, high-resolution photos, or lengthy videos in just a few taps.
9. Pinterest: The Creative Catalog
Monthly active users: 450 million
Pinterest stands alone as a unique social media app; it’s an endless reservoir of ideas, spanning from home decor concepts to enticing recipes.
This platform allows you to not just visualize your dreams but to design them. Think about your ultimate dream home: with a simple search, you can find an array of interior designs, architectural inspirations, and even DIY hacks.
Why not create different boards for each room of your future house?
By creating an inspiration board, you not only organize your ideas, but you’ll also discover new ones you might never have stumbled upon.
I’ve used Pinterest to collect style ideas, haircut inspiration for my two young sons, home decor and more.
10. Reddit: The Front Page of the Internet
Monthly active users: 430 million
Reddit, a favorite social media site among advice askers and givers, flourishes on the strength of community discussion and user-generated content. It’s like a virtual town square where diverse topics — from scientific discoveries to the latest memes — are dissected and discussed.
From discussing the merits of pineapple on pizza to sharing theories on the latest popular TV series, you can find all kinds of discussions happening on Reddit. And Reddit is not just about debating — subreddits like r/upliftingnews and r/wholesomememes also offer much-needed palate cleansers from the often hectic news cycle.
To get started on Reddit, find a subreddit that aligns with your interests and join in the conversation.
I’ve gone down many a Reddit rabbit hole in my day!
11. LinkedIn: The Professional Network
Monthly active users: 310 million
LinkedIn is not just a platform for job seekers. It’s also a hub for thought leadership, industry news, and professional networking.
For example, to build a following, you could consider writing LinkedIn articles on topics in your field of expertise. These can position you as an authority in your industry and attract connections and opportunities.
Not to mention, LinkedIn’s advanced search tool is a goldmine for finding potential leads or partnerships — you can filter people by location, company, industry, and more to find exactly who fits best with your project.
The social media platform also provides detailed analytics to help you understand which of your posts resonate most with your audience, and more.
As a freelance writer, optimizing my LinkedIn profile has helped me land several high-quality clients.
So if you’re looking for a top-notch professional networking site, LinkedIn might be one of the best social media platforms for you.
12. Discord: The Community Haven
Monthly active users: 154 million
Discord is more than just another social networking app. Primarily embraced by gamers and hobbyist communities, it’s a hub for lively discussions and collaborative experiences.
If you’re looking to cultivate a space for like-minded individuals, be it a book club, a programming circle, or even a fan community for a band, Discord is your go-to platform. A key benefit is the capability to segment discussions through various channels, keeping conversations organized and engaging.
The process to sign up is straightforward, and you can also build your own thriving online community with the platform.
One of the company’s I worked for used Discord as its main platform for communication for remote workers. I found it easy to use!
13. Nextdoor: Your Local Bulletin
Monthly active users: 150 million
In a world that’s increasingly online, local communities still matter, and that’s where Nextdoor comes in. This unique social networking platform is all about connecting neighbors and fostering a sense of community.
If you’ve recently moved or are looking to get more involved in your local area, joining your local Nextdoor community can be an excellent first step.
You can find recommendations for local services like plumbers or babysitters, buy and sell items within your community, and even engage in discussions about local issues.
What’s more, it’s a great way to stay informed about local events or safety alerts.
With Nextdoor, you’re not just on the internet — you’re in your neighborhood, virtually!
I’ve used it before to connect with people in my neighborhood about lost pets, break-ins and more.
14. Twitch: The Gamer’s Paradise
Monthly active users: 140 million
Twitch, a social media platform conceived primarily for gamers, has emerged as a home to a broad variety of live-streamed content, from music performances to interactive cooking sessions.
That said, gaming remains at its heart.
Twitch makes it easy to share your virtual victories and fails, all while connecting with an enthusiastic community of fellow gamers.
You might even discover some tips and tricks from your followers during your stream — improving your gameplay while building a dedicated audience.
Wrapping Up Top Social Media Apps
And there you have it! The 14 major social media apps that have risen to the top.
Of course, you don’t have to use all of them, but if you’re going to be on social media at all, you might want to choose one or a few of the social media networks this list.
Social media apps are the new public square. So learn your way around at least some of these platforms to connect, communicate, and create an interesting life and career for yourself!
