Popular Social Media Apps

5 Most Popular Social Media Apps

As of January 2023, social media applications have accounted for billions of downloads on both Apple and Android devices. The five most popular social media apps (according to the Google Play Store), are Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and Pinterest. Below we will briefly overview each of the five social media apps, the approximate number of users they have, and the major features they offer.

Facebook

Users Over 2 billion (2,000,000,000) Features

• View posts created and shared by your friends on your newsfeed
• Join a group or page and engage in thoughtful topic-based discussion
• Like, comment, or share posts you like to your timeline
• Text or video chat with your friends using Messenger
• Live stream your life using Facebook Live

Instagram

Users Over 1 billion (1,000,000,000) Features

• Create, edit, and share personal images and videos to your profile
• View posts shared by those you follow in your newsfeed
• Go live on Instagram and share your life with your followers
• Share images and video through your story
• Like and comment on the posts of those you follow
• Direct message or video chat with those you follow

TikTok

Users Over 500 million (500,000,000) Features

• Take, edit, and filter 15-second videos that you create
• Share short music videos and skits with your friends
• Film your “reaction” to the posts of other users or “duet” side-by-side with another video
• Comment or react to videos posted by your friends

Pinterest

Users Over 250 million (250,000,000) Features

• View posts, links, and ideas from other Pinterest users
• Create a “board” to organize your favorite pins by topic or idea
• “Pin” your favorite posts to the boards you create
• Share your own original content with other users
• Follow other users or topics that interest you

Snapchat

Users Over 200 million (200,000,000) Features

• Send images and videos to your friends that “self-destruct” after viewing
• Post images and videos to your story that delete within 24 hours
• Privately message, call, or video chat with your friends
• Take, edit, and filter images and videos
• Share your location mapping with your selected friends

Other Social Media Apps

Though these are some of the more popular social media apps on the Google Play Store as of 2020, there are other social media and social networking apps that are lesser-known or making their long-awaited entrance.

Messaging Apps

Messaging apps, like Text Free and Whatsapp, are also considered to be social media/networking apps, despite the fact that they are typically only used for messaging purposes. These apps allow users to communicate with one another in a manner similar to text messaging or direct messaging (as seen on Instagram).

Dating Apps

Many dating apps are now considered to be social media and social networking apps too. Many of these apps, such as OKCupid, PlentyOfFish, and Tinder, allow communication between users, the sharing of images, and the building of connections. While those on these apps are likely looking for a romantic connection, they still fit most of the criteria for social media applications.