20+ Most Popular Social Networking Sites in 2025

The first social networking site – Six Degrees was launched in 1996.

Social media has seen tremendous growth since then.

And how!

With the launch of networking sites like Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter, the number of people actively engaging in social networking has only risen.

The statistics for 2025 show that there are 5.24 billion active social media users worldwide.

Marketers today are constantly exploring new ways to expand their brand reach and connect with the right audience—and what better way to do that than through the power of social networking? But with countless platforms available, choosing the right ones is more than just a numbers game. 

To help you decide, we’ve compiled a list of 22 of the most popular social networking websites and apps worth considering.

List of Social Media Platforms

This professional networking site is great for B2B marketing. The audience on LinkedIn focuses on sharing professional content instead of personal.

If you’re looking for collaborators and connect with industry experts, this is where you should start. LinkedIn also allows you to access display and personalized ads and publish blogs.

How can you use LinkedIn for social media marketing?

• Share thought leadership content: Post valuable insights, industry news, and original articles to position yourself or your brand as an authority in your niche.
• Engage with your network: Comment on posts, join conversations in relevant groups, and connect with professionals to grow your presence organically.
• Leverage LinkedIn Ads: Use Sponsored Content, InMail, or personalized display ads to target decision-makers and boost brand visibility among a professional audience.

Our Opinion

LinkedIn is a powerful platform for B2B brands and professionals aiming to grow their social media presence. It’s ideal for building authority through thought leadership, engaging with a professional network, and targeting decision-makers with tailored ads. 

For business owners and marketers, LinkedIn offers a focused environment to generate leads, form partnerships, and establish credibility especially when paired with tools like SocialPilot for streamlined content management.

Easily the most popular platform on our list, Facebook is where you’ll find most social media users actively engaging with brands.

It doesn’t just allow you to connect with your peers; you can also use Facebook to sell your products through Facebook Shops and promote your brand through Facebook Ads.

It’s also a favorite among businesses, as reports show that approximately 70% of brands find new customers through Facebook.

How can you use Facebook for social media marketing?

• Create a dedicated business page: Build a professional presence, share updates, and engage directly with your audience through comments and messages.
• Run targeted ad campaigns: Use Facebook Ads to reach specific demographics, interests, and behaviors, making your campaigns more effective and cost-efficient.
• Sell products directly through Facebook Shops: Set up an online storefront to showcase your products and enable seamless shopping experiences within the platform.
• Use Facebook Insights to track performance: Monitor engagement, reach, and audience behavior to optimize your content strategy and posting schedule.

Our Opinion

Facebook remains one of the most powerful social media platforms for businesses, offering unmatched reach and engagement potential. From creating a business page and running targeted ads to selling via Facebook Shops, it supports every stage of the marketing funnel. With tools like Insights and Messenger, business owners can tailor content, track performance, and build lasting customer relationships all in one familiar, user-friendly space.

Tumblr is not just a place to share fan art; it boasts of a versatile and creative audience base. If you’re looking to target artistic millennials, you’ll most likely find them on Tumblr.

This micro-blogging service allows you to customize your blog and post anything. It’s a great platform to establish your presence in a niche market.

How can you use Tumblr for social media marketing?

• Create visually engaging, niche content: Share GIFs, artwork, memes, or aesthetic visuals that resonate with Tumblr’s creative and subculture-driven audience.
• Customize your Tumblr blog to reflect your brand: Use themes, colors, and layouts to build a unique brand identity that stands out.
• Engage with communities through tags and reblogs: Use relevant tags to increase discoverability and reblog user-generated content to foster community engagement and loyalty.

Our Opinion

In our opinion, Tumblr offers a unique space for any social media marketer targeting creative, niche communities. Its visual-first format, customizable blog layouts, and vibrant subcultures make it ideal for storytelling and your brand building. 

By sharing engaging content and interacting through tags and reblogs, you will be able to form authentic connections. If you are a brand driven by creativity and cultural relevance, Tumblr is a valuable addition to any social media strategy.

Owned by Facebook, this social media app is a must for brands prioritizing Influencer Marketing. With features like Instagram Stories, Reels, and Instagram Live, marketers can make the most of video content to engage with their audience.

Creating a business profile will let you integrate Instagram Shopping and Insights too.

How can you use Instagram for social media marketing?

• Leverage visual storytelling: Share high-quality photos, videos, and carousel posts to showcase your products, services, or brand personality in an eye-catching way.
• Use Stories, Reels, and Live to boost engagement: These features help you connect with your audience in real-time, share behind-the-scenes content, or launch quick promotions.
• Set up Instagram Shopping: Tag products directly in your posts and Stories, making it easy for users to browse and purchase without leaving the app.

Our Opinion

Instagram is a powerhouse in any marketing strategy, especially for if you are targeting millennials and Gen Z. With its visual focus, features like Stories and Reels, and tools like Instagram Shopping, it offers endless ways to connect and convert. 

Creating a business profile also unlocks insights and ad options, making Instagram a must-have platform for building brand awareness, driving engagement, and showcasing your brand creatively.You can learn more about the benefits and features of Instagram for business and leverage it for your business.

Reddit allows users to converse and upvote or downvote comments to show their support. Marketers can join discussions on the dedicated forums, aka subreddits and learn more about their target audience.

Reddit doesn’t prioritize self-promotion, and rather relies on building a community. However, you can integrate Reddit advertising for your business.

How can you use Reddit for social media marketing?

• Participate in relevant subreddits: Join niche communities where your target audience hangs out and contribute genuinely helpful, insightful comments to build trust.
• Use Reddit Ads to reach specific interests: Run targeted ad campaigns based on subreddit topics, user interests, and location to promote your brand effectively.
• Host AMAs (Ask Me Anything): Engage with users directly by hosting AMAs to share your expertise, promote transparency, and create meaningful interactions with your audience.

Our Opinion

Reddit is a goldmine for social media marketers looking to build authentic connections. Its community-driven nature encourages genuine engagement over hard selling. By participating in niche subreddits, hosting AMAs, and running targeted ads, your business can earn trust, drive traffic, and gather audience insights. 

For brands that value transparency and thoughtful dialogue, Reddit offers a unique platform to grow and engage a loyal following.

Currently the second-largest global search engine, YouTube is a pot of gold for content creators. If video marketing is your thing, don’t miss out on this platform.

Brands can add YouTube advertising to their social strategy and share quality content easily across the globe. Stick to the community guidelines, and you’ll not only connect with your audience but also monetize your videos in no time.

How can you use YouTube for social media marketing?

• Create valuable video content: Share tutorials, product demos, behind-the-scenes footage, or educational content to inform and engage your audience.
• Optimize videos for search: Use relevant titles, tags, descriptions, and thumbnails to improve visibility and attract more viewers through YouTube’s powerful search engine.
• Run targeted YouTube Ads: Promote your brand through skippable ads, non-skippable ads, or bumper ads to reach specific demographics based on interests, location, and behavior.

Our Opinion

In our experience, YouTube is a powerful platform for any business serious about video content. As the second-largest search engine, it boosts discoverability and helps brands engage audiences through tutorials, demos, and storytelling.

With SEO-friendly features and targeted ads, it supports both brand awareness and lead generation. For businesses aiming to build trust and visibility globally, YouTube is an essential part of a strong marketing strategy.

Still new to the social scene, ByteDance’s TikTok has garnered a huge user base since its inception in 2016. If your target demographic includes Gen Z, you have to master this application.

It’s easy to go viral on TikTok, but that’s also why the social platform is heavily saturated.

How can you use TikTok for social media marketing?

• Create short, engaging videos: Use trends, music, and effects to showcase your brand personality and connect with your audience in a fun, relatable way.
• Partner with TikTok influencers: Collaborate with creators who align with your brand to boost reach and credibility among their followers.
• Use TikTok Ads and Promote feature: Run targeted campaigns or boost your videos to increase visibility, drive traffic, and generate leads.

Our Opinion

TikTok is a dynamic platform for businesses targeting Gen Z and younger audiences. Its short-form video format makes it ideal for creative, trend-driven content that builds brand awareness fast. By leveraging influencers, trends, and TikTok’s ad tools, businesses can boost visibility and drive real engagement. For brands ready to think outside the box, TikTok is a valuable addition to any modern marketing strategy.

Twitter has surprisingly lesser users when compared to other networks on this list. However, that doesn’t mean that it isn’t influential. In fact, 54% of users have taken action after seeing the brand mentioned on Twitter.

Using ads, integrating customer service, and growing an active customer following. You can do all of this with Twitter.

How can you use X/Twitter for social media marketing?

• Engage in real-time conversations: Share updates, join trending topics, and respond quickly to mentions to stay relevant and visible.
• Use Twitter Ads for targeted reach: Promote tweets or run full campaigns to reach specific audiences based on interests, location, and behavior.
• Provide fast, responsive customer support: Use X (earlier Twitter) as a customer service channel to answer queries, resolve issues, and build trust through timely interaction.

Our Opinion

In our opinion, X (formerly Twitter) is underrated but incredibly powerful for businesses. It’s perfect for staying on top of trends, engaging directly with customers, and keeping an eye on the competition. By switching to a professional account, you can unlock tools that make marketing and real-time communication way more effective.

Originally created for connecting with family and friends, this platform now offers a WhatsApp Business application and WhatsApp Business API to create business profiles.

Brands can showcase their catalogs and offer quick customer service through this messaging application. That’s not all. Unlike most messengers, WhatsApp is ad-free.

How can you use WhatsApp for social media marketing?

• Create a business profile with key details: Share your business name, contact info, website, and catalog to give customers quick access to what you offer.
• Offer real-time customer support: Use automated replies, labels, and quick responses to manage inquiries efficiently and build customer trust.
• Send personalized updates and promotions: Share order updates, offers, or reminders directly to your customers’ phones to keep them engaged and informed.

Our Opinion

WhatsApp is a highly effective tool for businesses looking to build personal, direct relationships with customers. We found WhatsApp’s real-time messaging and ad-free environment perfect for direct customer communication. 

Features like catalogs and automation make it especially useful for small to mid-sized businesses handling support, updates, and promotions efficiently.

Have you noticed Q&As for search queries on Google? That’s Quora for you. Quora is a social network that allows people to ask and respond to questions about varied topics.

So, how do marketers use it for advertising? Placing high on the Search Engine Result Page (SERP), Quora offers ‘promoted answers’ and lets you share content easily.

How can you use WhatsApp for social media marketing?

• Share helpful, informative answers: Provide value-driven responses to relevant questions in your niche to build authority and attract organic traffic.
• Use Promoted Answers: Boost your top-performing answers to increase visibility and drive targeted traffic to your site or landing page.
• Engage in niche communities: Follow relevant topics, connect with interested users, and subtly position your brand as a trusted expert without overt promotion.

Our Opinion

In our opinion, Quora is a powerful tool for businesses to build thought leadership and drive targeted traffic. Its high SERP visibility and engaged user base make it ideal for long-form, informative content. When used strategically, Quora can boost credibility, attract leads, and subtly promote your brand without appearing overly salesy.

One of the best free social networking sites, Medium, is a blogging platform fused with social networking. Brands can publish or republish written articles from their company websites to Medium.

You can keep the articles free to read and gain traffic or offer them through paid services and earn extra income.

How can you use Medium for social media marketing?

• Republish blog content for wider reach: Share your existing articles on Medium to tap into a new, engaged audience and boost SEO without creating fresh content from scratch.
• Build thought leadership: Publish original insights, industry trends, or how-to guides to position your brand as an expert in your niche.
• Drive traffic to your website: Add strategic backlinks within your Medium posts to guide readers toward your main site, landing pages, or product offerings.

Our Opinion

Medium is a powerful tool for businesses that want to grow through content marketing. We think it’s one of the perfect tools for repurposing blog content, building credibility, and reaching a wider audience. 

Its reader-focused ecosystem helps brands gain organic visibility, while backlinks in posts can drive steady traffic to your website or landing pages over time.

Evan Spiegel’s creation, Snapchat, lets you communicate via short videos that can be customized using filters and stickers. It was Snapchat that made the ‘Stories’ format popular.

Brands can utilize Snapchat ads and Snapchat for business to target Gen Z and ace the platform by using their in-built analytics – Snapchat Insights.

How can you use Snapchat for social media marketing?

• Create a Public Profile for your brand: Build a presence where users can subscribe, view your content, and explore your products all in one place.
• Use Snapchat Ads to reach Gen Z: Run targeted ad campaigns like Snap Ads, Collection Ads, or AR Lenses to drive brand awareness and engagement.
• Leverage Snapchat Insights: Track your content performance, audience demographics, and engagement metrics to refine your marketing strategy effectively.

Our Opinion

Snapchat is a powerful tool for brands targeting a younger audience, especially Gen Z. We found that with features like public profiles, creative ad formats, and detailed analytics through Snapchat Insights, businesses can boost visibility, engagement, and product discovery. 

It’s ideal for brands that want to connect authentically through fun, visual, and short-form content.

A secure messaging application, Telegram can be used to create chatbots, broadcast messages to the audience, and provide customer support.

Brands can create large group chats (for around 200,000 members) to announce launches or simply interact with their audience.

Founder Pavel Durov has plans to introduce Telegram’s ad platform soon.

How can you use Telegram for social media marketing?

• Create and manage Telegram Channels: You can utilize channels to broadcast announcements, promotions, or updates to unlimited subscribers without clutter or noise.
• Build niche communities with Telegram Groups: You can use it to engage in two-way conversations, gather feedback, and build loyal communities around your brand.
• Automate with Telegram Bots: Set up bots to provide instant replies, share content, handle FAQs, or guide users through services seamlessly.

Our Opinion

Undoubtedly, Telegram stands out as a secure, ad-free messaging app that’s surprisingly powerful for business use. The channels and groups on Telegram make it useful for community building and mass communication.

You can leverage its automation via bots and plans for a business-friendly ad platform. Telegram is a great choice for brands wanting direct, clutter-free engagement. It’s especially useful for tech-savvy audiences and businesses that prioritize privacy and personalization.

Goodreads is a niche networking site that focuses solely on books. This platform allows readers to connect with each other through virtual book clubs. Users can also share their reading lists, book recommendations, and reviews that can link to their own blogs or websites.

How can you use Goodreads for social media marketing?

• Connect with niche audiences: If you’re an author, publisher, or a business related to books or education, Goodreads will help you to connect directly with avid readers and target communities.
• Promote books and blog content: You can share links to your blog or website through book reviews, author profiles, or reading lists to drive traffic and grow visibility.
• Host giveaways and author Q&As: You can use it to try and build buzz around new releases or content by hosting book giveaways or interactive sessions to engage readers and boost word-of-mouth promotion.

How can you use Pinterest for social media marketing?

• Create eye-catching Pins with keywords: Design visually appealing Pins with clear descriptions and relevant keywords to boost discoverability through Pinterest search.
• Use Pinterest Business tools: Set up a Business account to access analytics, run Shoppable Pins, and create ad campaigns that drive traffic and sales.
• Organize Boards strategically: Curate niche-specific boards that reflect your brand’s aesthetic and values to attract your ideal audience and keep them engaged.

Our Opinion

Pinterest is a highly visual platform that works exceptionally well for product-based businesses. Its strong referral power makes it a great tool for driving consistent website traffic. With its Shoppable Pins, keyword-rich content, and niche-focused Boards, brands can inspire users and encourage conversions. 

If your business relies on aesthetics or DIY appeal, Pinterest is a must-have in your social media toolkit.

How can you use Discord for social media marketing?

• Create branded servers for community building: Build a dedicated server where fans, customers, or users can join to interact, ask questions, and engage in real-time conversations with your brand or team.
• Host live events and AMAs: Use voice or video channels to run product launches, Q&A sessions, or behind-the-scenes chats to drive deeper engagement.
• Integrate bots for automation: Set up Discord bots to welcome new members, share updates, run polls, or even provide support—making your server more interactive and efficient.

Our Opinion

In our experience, we found that Discord stands out from traditional social media platforms by offering a real-time, community-driven space for brands to engage their audience. 

With customizable servers, voice channels, and automation via bots, it’s ideal for fostering loyal communities. While it’s especially effective for gaming or tech-savvy audiences, any brand that values authentic, two-way communication can benefit from Discord’s unique, interactive environment.

How can you use WeChat for social media marketing?

• Set up a WeChat Official Account: Choose between a Subscription or Service account to publish content, engage users, and access advanced features like payments and CRM tools.
• Launch Mini Programs: Create in-app stores, booking systems, or loyalty programs within WeChat to offer seamless customer experiences without leaving the app.
• Use WeChat Ads: Run banner or Moments ads to target users based on behavior, interests, and location for precise brand exposure in the Chinese market.

Our Opinion

WeChat goes beyond messaging; it’s one of the most versatile free social media sites for businesses, especially in China. From running ads and publishing content to offering customer support and even payments, it functions like an all-in-one marketing hub. 

If your brand wants to tap into the Chinese market, WeChat is a must-have tool for engagement, e-commerce, and building lasting customer relationships.

How can you use Facebook Messenger for social media marketing?

• Automate customer support with chatbots: You can set up Messenger bots to answer FAQs, guide users, and offer instant responses, improving customer experience and saving time.
• Send personalized messages and updates: Share order confirmations, promotions, or reminders directly to users’ inboxes for better engagement.
• Run Messenger Ads: Launch click-to-Messenger ads on Facebook or Instagram to start conversations, generate leads, and drive conversions seamlessly.

Our Opinion

Facebook Messenger is one of the most underrated tools among free social media sites. Its chatbot automation, seamless integration with Facebook and Instagram, and personalized messaging make it a powerhouse for customer support and engagement. 

With over 40 million businesses already using it, Messenger offers a direct, efficient way to connect with audiences, nurture leads, and deliver instant service—all within a familiar, user-friendly interface.

How can you use Twitch for social media marketing?

• Partner with gaming influencers: Collaborate with popular streamers to promote your brand during live streams and tap into their loyal, engaged communities.
• Run interactive live ad campaigns: Use Twitch Ads or sponsored segments to drive real-time engagement and build brand awareness among Gen Z and millennial audiences.
• Host branded live streams: Launch products, conduct Q&As, or stream behind-the-scenes content to build authentic connections with your audience in a highly interactive format.

Our Opinion

Twitch is a powerful tool for brands aiming to grow their social media presence on interactive social network platforms. With its real-time engagement and loyal gaming communities, it’s perfect for influencer partnerships, live product launches, and immersive ad campaigns. 

Brands can authentically connect with Gen Z and millennials, making Twitch an ideal choice for businesses targeting younger, digital-first audiences through creative, high-energy marketing.

Threads is a text-based app designed for real-time conversations and community-driven engagement. Initially launched as an alternative to Twitter/X, it has evolved into one of the more unique social networks, offering a more thoughtful and expressive posting format.

Each post (or “thread”) can be up to 500 characters long—nearly double that of X—allowing users to share complete thoughts or detailed updates without breaking them up. 

Your Threads feed includes posts from accounts you follow, algorithmically suggested content, and customizable feeds based on specific interests. This setup helps users stay connected to conversations that truly matter to them.

How can you use Threads for social media marketing?

• Share real-time updates and brand stories: Use Threads’ longer post format to provide in-depth updates, behind-the-scenes content, or storytelling that builds stronger connections with your audience.
• Engage in trending conversations: Participate in active discussions and industry trends to increase visibility and position your brand as timely and relevant.
• Create niche-focused custom feeds: Curate and follow custom interest-based feeds to monitor relevant topics and engage directly with your target community in real time.

Our Opinion

Threads is a promising platform for businesses looking to build an authentic voice. With its 500-character posts and real-time discussions, it encourages storytelling and direct engagement. In our experience, the brands can create a strong business profile, share updates, and join trending conversations. 

For any marketing strategy focused on community and relevance, Threads offers a unique space among social networks to connect with niche audiences and boost brand visibility.

Mastodon is a decentralized alternative to traditional social network platforms, offering more control and community focus. Instead of one central site, Mastodon is made up of independent servers called “instances” that connect through a shared network called the Fediverse.

Businesses can create their own Mastodon server to foster niche conversations, build industry connections, and maintain ownership over their audience and data, all while participating in a wider, federated social ecosystem.

How can you use Mastodon for social media marketing?

• Build your own community with a dedicated instance: By creating a business-run server, you can establish a space tailored to your industry, customers, or niche—fostering deeper discussions and brand loyalty.
• Engage through meaningful content: Share thoughtful posts, updates, and insights that resonate with your audience. Focus on value-driven content rather than self-promotion.
• Use relevant hashtags and join federated discussions: Participate in broader conversations across the Fediverse by using well-chosen hashtags, helping you reach users on other instances who share similar interests.

Our Opinion

Mastodon offers a unique way to build a strong social media presence through community-led engagement. Its decentralized nature gives businesses control over their audience and data. By running their own server, brands can host niche conversations and build lasting industry connections. While it requires a more thoughtful approach than traditional platforms, Mastodon can be a valuable space for meaningful, long-term engagement in the right sectors.

Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform built on the open-source AT Protocol, offering users greater transparency and control over their online experience. Functioning similarly to X (formerly Twitter), it supports public conversations through posts and replies but stands apart with its customizable algorithms and open development model. 

With over 33 million users, Bluesky is rapidly emerging as a transparent and user-first alternative in the evolving social media landscape.

How can you use Bluesky for social media marketing?

• Establish a transparent brand presence: Use Bluesky’s open and decentralized nature to build trust by engaging in honest conversations and sharing behind-the-scenes content with your audience.
• Engage in public discussions: Join relevant threads and contribute valuable insights to position your brand as a thought leader in your niche.
• Leverage customizable feeds: Tailor your content strategy based on interest-based feeds to reach and engage highly targeted communities effectively.

Our Opinion

Bluesky offers business owners a unique opportunity to build an authentic social media presence on a transparent, decentralized platform. Its open-source nature encourages trust and user engagement, while customizable feeds help brands reach niche audiences more effectively. 

Even when comparing Bluesky and Threads, it’s clear that Bluesky’s community-driven approach gives brands a fresh way to connect meaningfully and stand out in today’s evolving digital landscape.