2023, the year of technology. Where daily activities such as shopping, chatting, and reading went online and social media gained users by the masses. According to “Smart Insights,” about 61.4% of the world’s population used social media last year. So with the start of a new year and the end of a great one, it’s time to look back on some of the biggest social platforms used in 2023.

In sixth place, we have TikTok with an average of 1.1 billion monthly users. This addictive app hit 1 million users within a matter of just 200 days. The majority of its audience is 18-20 years old, but older age groups can also find entertainment in it.

At fifth we have WeChat, which is widely known in China as an “app for everything.” It has 1.33 billion monthly users. With its messaging function, video chats, games, mobile payment, location sharing and more, there’s no wonder it’s so popular!

In fourth, Instagram is a steady contestant with 2.4 billion monthly users. Most people have it as a secondary platform, though. Only 0.1% of people have Instagram as their only social media. But despite that, it’s still a great place to stay in touch with your friends!

WhatsApp is third! Because of its widespread use over 180 countries, it has about 2.78 billion monthly users. It is ranked number one as the most used messaging app in the world!

Second place is YouTube, a beloved platform for people all around the world. Users can make jobs from being content creators on YouTube. Not to mention it’s function of YouTube Shorts, which has bite-sized videos to enjoy whenever you’d like.

Finally, in first place we have Facebook. Although it has an older audience, people of all ages can enjoy it. Whether it’s seeing pictures of your grandma’s dog or your best friend’s birthday, Facebook is the go-to place for updates on people’s lives.

2024 is a new year full of new surprises. My predictions for social media will be that TikTok gains more viewers and makes it into the top 5, or maybe even top 3. Social media has come a long way, and I await its further development in the new year.