Top 5 Social Media Platforms in the U.S.
Despite controversy surrounding user data and security, people remain addicted to social media in 2018. The Facebook crisis hasn’t slowed the social media giant down that much, nor have people decreased their activity on Twitter, YouTube, or Instagram among other platforms. What does this mean? It’s safe to say it means that no matter the threat, users will stay online. They are addicted to their social media and simply cannot get enough of it. Here are the top five platforms in the United States right now.
1. YouTube
Step aside previous number one (which is now number two on this list) and make way for YouTube. People simply cannot get enough of cute cat videos and the billion other offerings on this video-sharing platform. Whether it’s the day’s news, a live feed, a how-to video, a music video, or, yes, those crazy and adorable felines, a Pew survey shows that 73 percent of adults in the United States use YouTube, which pushed the Google-owned site past the eternal favorite for the first ever.
2. Facebook
Financial magazine Forbes reports that users remained faithful to the social platform in the States even though it’s been proven that their data was compromised and used against them during the 2016 presidential campaign. In 2018, 68 percent of adults remain active on Facebook. This percentage has held steady for two years, because the same amount of adults were on the Zuckerberg channel – if you will – in 2016. Guess the threat to their safety and misinformation didn’t deter them.
3. Instagram
If cat videos aren’t enough to quell your love of these furry friends, hop onto Instagram with the 35 percent of other adults and view cat pictures until you can view them no more. Of course, people don’t just post pictures of their pets on this image platform. They also post pictures of food, fashion, travel, and current events. You’d be surprised how engrossed in and addicted to Instagram you’ll become. You know all those people you see scrolling on their phones at the bus stop. They’re on Instagram.
4. Pinterest
Although Instagram’s predecessor, Pinterest has hard a time competing with the platform for years. Some people remain loyal to it, however, or at least use it alongside Instagram. Pew reports 29 percent of American adults use Pinterest to share and view photos, and it’s also popular with businesses that use visuals, such as graphic artists and photographers. Marketing experts recommend using both to boost your online photo presence, which makes sense. You want to reach everyone.
5. Snapchat
Last but not least is Snapchat. One might credit jobs in software engineering as the force behind this popular social media platform. Twenty-seven percent of U.S. adults take selfies and then add all kinds of special effects to them for some serious fun. Turn yourself into a cat, a princess, a ghost, or nearly anything you can imagine. You can also turn other people into things, which is the perfect way to get back at your ex. Just don’t do anything that will get you into serious trouble.
Social media is as strong as ever, and many could argue that is due in part to businesses jumping on board, too. Everything is social these days. Are you in the top five?
