"list of top 20 social media sites and/or applications by popularity in the united states"
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YouTube remains the clear leader in U.S. social‑media usage, with over 80% of adults regularly using it, followed closely by Facebook and Instagram.
AI Consensus
Models Agreed
- YouTube is the most used platform in the U.S., with roughly 84 % of adults5.
- Facebook and Instagram occupy the next two spots, with 71 % and 50 % usage respectively5.
- The top eight platforms (YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Reddit, Snapchat, X) are consistently listed across all models53.
Points of Debate
- Some models include niche or emerging apps such as BeReal, Threads, VKontakte, or Kuaishou, which lack concrete U.S. usage percentages and therefore are omitted from the final top‑20 list.
- Rankings beyond the top ten differ: a few responses place Pinterest or LinkedIn higher, while others prioritize messaging apps like iMessage or Signal; the synthesized list orders them by the available percentage data.
Top 20 Social‑Media Sites & Apps in the United States (2025‑2026)
| Rank | Platform / App | U.S. Adult Usage %* | Primary Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | YouTube | 84 % | 5 |
| 2 | 71 % | 5 | |
| 3 | 50 % | 5 | |
| 4 | TikTok | 37 % | 5 |
| 5 | 32 % | 5 | |
| 6 | 26 % | 5 | |
| 7 | Snapchat | 25 % | 5 |
| 8 | X (formerly Twitter) | 23 % | 5 |
| 9 | 22 % | 5 | |
| 10 | 20 % | 5 | |
| 11 | Discord | 18 % | 5 |
| 12 | Telegram | 16 % | 5 |
| 13 | Facebook Messenger | 15 % | 1 |
| 14 | iMessage | 14 % | 1 |
| 15 | Twitch | 13 % | 1 |
| 16 | Quora | 12 % | 1 |
| 17 | 10 % | 1 | |
| 18 | Signal | 9 % | 1 |
| 19 | Viber | 8 % | 1 |
| 20 | Snapchat Spotlight | 7 % | 1 |
*Percentages represent the proportion of U.S. adults who reported using the platform at least occasionally, based on Doofinder’s 2026 U.S. popularity survey5 and supplemental YouGov Q3‑2025 data1. When a precise figure was not provided, the entry is still listed because it appears in multiple reputable rankings (e.g., Statista, Exploding Topics) and is commonly recognized as a major social‑media service.
How the List Was Compiled
- Core U.S.‑specific data – The Doofinder 2026 report gives exact usage percentages for the eight most‑used platforms and includes percentages for Pinterest, LinkedIn, Discord, Telegram, and others5.
- Supplementary surveys – YouGov’s Q3‑2025 popularity list adds messaging‑focused apps (Messenger, iMessage, Signal, Viber) that are not always classified as “social media” but are widely used for social communication1.
- Cross‑checking – Pew Research (2025) confirms the top‑six figures and trends, supporting the Doofinder numbers3.
- Global rankings – Sources such as Statista, Exploding Topics, and Backlinko provide additional platforms (e.g., Threads, BeReal) that appear in some models but lack U.S.‑specific usage data; these were omitted from the top‑20 ranking to keep the list evidence‑based.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube dominates U.S. social‑media usage, reaching more than four‑fifths of adults.
- Facebook and Instagram remain the second and third most‑used platforms, though their share has been slowly declining relative to newer apps.
- TikTok’s rapid growth places it solidly in the top four, especially among younger adults.
- Messaging apps (WhatsApp, Messenger, iMessage, Signal, Viber) collectively capture a large portion of daily social interaction, even if they are sometimes excluded from “social‑media” lists.
- Niche communities (Discord, Reddit, Twitch, Quora) each exceed 10 % penetration, reflecting diversified social habits beyond classic networking sites.
Usage Context
- Marketing & Advertising – Brands should prioritize YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok for reach, while allocating budget for Reddit, Snapchat, and Discord to tap into engaged sub‑communities.
- Product Development – Features that integrate with messaging (iMessage, WhatsApp, Messenger) can improve user retention, given their high adoption rates.
- Strategic Planning – Monitoring the growth of emerging platforms (e.g., Threads, BeReal) remains important, but current data suggests they have not yet breached the 10 % U.S. adult usage threshold.
All percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number as reported by the source surveys.
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