Let’s face it, with the plethora of social media platforms available today, it can be daunting for businesses to determine where to invest their time and resources. Even as a consumer, choosing the right platforms can be overwhelming. In this Top 10 list, we will guide you through the demographics and optimal uses of each social media platform, assisting you in selecting the best ones for your business goals and target audience.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN
The first step in choosing the right social platforms for your business is understanding your target audience. If it has been a while since you established or refreshed your target audience, utilize our Buyer Persona Worksheets to create new ones. Additionally, you need to define your social media goals, such as increasing brand awareness, nurturing customers, providing customer service, or generating sales and leads.
WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT SOCIAL MEDIA FOR BUSINESS
As you explore our top social platforms list below, keep these points in mind:
These are not the top 10 best social media platforms overall. Instead, they are the platforms businesses should use to effectively reach their target audience. Certain platforms are not conducive to businesses, so we won’t cover them.
The statistics provided for each platform are worldwide, not limited to the United States. Given the global expansion of technology, it’s crucial to have a comprehensive understanding, especially if you sell internationally.
The statistics represent monthly active users, indicating the number of users actively engaging on these platforms. This distinction is important because the total number of users may include inactive or fake accounts. We gathered these statistics from reputable sources like Search Engine Journal, Statista, Pew Research Center, HubSpot, and Buffer.
HERE ARE THE TOP SOCIAL PLATFORMS FOR BUSINESSES IN 2023
The top 10 social media platforms for businesses are:
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Snapchat
Now let’s delve into each of these platforms in more detail.
- Monthly Active Users: 2.9 billion
- Ideal for B2C companies
- Most Active Demographic: Ages 35-44
- Most Active Countries: India and the United States
Facebook is the most popular social media platform across all age groups. It provides a large demographic for both B2B and B2C businesses to connect with their target audience. With robust advertising capabilities, Facebook allows businesses to engage with buyer personas through customized and targeted ads.
YouTube
- Monthly Active Users: 2.6 billion
- Ideal for B2C and B2B companies
- Most Active Demographic: Ages 15-35
- Most Active Countries: The United States and India
YouTube is the second-most-visited website worldwide and a top platform for advertisers. It offers opportunities for B2C and B2B businesses to place video or interactive ads. As the second-largest search engine after Google, YouTube is perfect for businesses that can produce valuable video content.
- Monthly Active Users: 2 billion
- Ideal for B2C companies
- Most Active Demographic: Ages 18-34
- Most Active Countries: India and the United States
Instagram, originally an image-sharing platform, has evolved into a hub for visual content, influencers, and ecommerce. With various tools like stories, reels, livestreams, and shops, businesses can engage their audience, increase brand awareness, and sell products or services directly.
- Monthly Active Users: 2 billion
- Ideal for B2C companies
- Most Active Demographic: Ages 26-35
- Most Active Countries: India and Brazil
WhatsApp is the most widely used social messaging app and has become an effective one-to-one marketing tool for businesses. It allows for personalized communication, relationship-building, and cost-effective customer service.
TikTok
- Monthly Active Users: 1 billion
- Ideal for B2C companies
- Most Active Demographic: Females Ages 10-29
- Most Active Countries: China and the United States
TikTok, a short-form video app, continues to gain popularity. It provides personalized content through its unique “For You Page.” B2C businesses targeting a younger demographic can leverage TikTok’s video capabilities and trending challenges to engage with their audience.
Snapchat
- Monthly Active Users: 538 million
- Ideal for B2C companies
- Most Active Demographic: Females Ages 15-29
- Most Active Countries: India and the United States
Snapchat focuses on sharing candid photos and videos that disappear. It appeals to a young demographic, making it an effective platform for B2C companies. Fullscreen ads and interactive features can drive results in reaching the mobile-first generation.
- Monthly Active Users: 433 million
- Ideal for B2C companies
- Most Active Demographic: Females Ages 18-54
- Most Active Countries: The United States and Brazil
Pinterest is a visual-driven search engine where users seek inspiration. B2C companies with products or services that help users discover and achieve their dreams can thrive on Pinterest. It is known for its high user engagement and valuable branded content.
- Monthly Active Users: 430 million
- Ideal for B2B companies
- Most Active Demographic: Males Ages 18-29
- Most Active Countries: The United States and United Kingdom
Reddit is a unique platform where users create niche content. While self-promotion is discouraged, businesses can engage with communities, research trends, and create content that aligns with awareness and consideration campaigns.
- Monthly Active Users: 436 million
- Ideal for B2B companies
- Most Active Demographic: Males Ages 18-29
- Most Active Countries: The United States and Japan
Twitter is known for its real-time news, entertainment, sports, and politics. Businesses can utilize Twitter for customer service, brand awareness, engagement, and audience research. It is particularly useful for B2B companies and offers opportunities for brand mentions and conversations.
- Monthly Active Users: 310 million
- Ideal for B2B companies
- Most Active Demographic: Men Ages 25-34
- Most Active Countries: The United States and India
LinkedIn, the top business networking platform, is essential for B2B companies seeking to connect with prospects and showcase industry expertise. It enables lead generation, career openings promotion, employee engagement, and paid advertising targeting professionals.
NOW WHAT?
Now that you have reviewed the top 10 social media platforms for businesses, it’s time to select the ones that align with your audience and business goals. Not all platforms will be suitable for your business, so focus on meeting your customers and prospects where they are most active.
