Top Social Networks in 2023: 7 Platforms for Your Brand Awareness

Social networks have become an integral part of our lives and a critical component in brand development. The year 2023 has bring fresh advancements in the social media landscape, with new platforms rising to prominence and existing ones innovating to maintain relevance. We have analyzed some of the most popular social networks in 2023 that could be vital for your brand. Let’s look at them now.

7 Of the Most Popular Social Networks in 2023

1. Facebook — 3.05 billion Active users

With a staggering user base of over 3 billion people every month, Facebook stands as the undisputed giant in the top social networks 2023, as per Statista. This implies that nearly 37 percent of the global population engages with Facebook. The company’s separate direct messaging application, known as Facebook Messenger, garners an impressive count of 931 million active users monthly.

An overwhelming number of businesses, primarily small-scale ones, amounting to more than 200 million, leverage Facebook’s tools. Furthermore, over seven million advertisers actively propagate their business on this platform, making it an ideal choice for those seeking visibility on social media.

Getting started on Facebook is a breeze, given its compatibility with various content formats – be it text, images, video content or Stories. However, the algorithm of Facebook is designed to prioritize content that incites conversations and fosters meaningful interactions among individuals, particularly those involving family members and friends.

2. WhatsApp — 2.78 billion Active users

WhatsApp, a communication tool utilized by individuals across more than 180 nations, boasts an impressive user base of approximately 2.78 billion active participants, as per Statista’s data.

Initially, WhatsApp was primarily a medium for personal text exchanges amongst family and friends. However, with the introduction of WhatsApp Business in 2018, it has evolved into a preferred platform for various brands. As of June 2023, WhatsApp Business reported a substantial count of over 200 million active users each month.

This business-centric platform by WhatsApp enables companies to offer customer support and disseminate updates regarding purchases to their customers. It offers two versions: the WhatsApp Business app tailored for small businesses, and the WhatsApp Business API designed for larger enterprises.

Given its status as the most popular messaging platform globally, WhatsApp can serve as an excellent customer service channel for your business.

3. YouTube — 2.49 billion Active users

YouTube is a platform dedicated to sharing videos, with users consuming a staggering billion hours of content each day. Not only is it the second most popular social media application, but it’s also frequently referred to as the second largest search engine, right after Google, its owning entity.

Therefore, if your business utilizes video for promotion, incorporating YouTube into your marketing plan is a must. Here’s a guide on how to establish a YouTube channel for your brand.

To ensure your videos reach a wider audience, we suggest familiarizing yourself with YouTube SEO or contemplating YouTube advertising to expand your visibility.

4. Instagram — 2.04 billion Active users

Instagram, as a visual-centric social media platform, is perfect for promoting your offerings through captivating images or videos. The application allows you to distribute diverse content types, including photos, videos, Stories, Reels, and live streams.

As a business entity, setting up an Instagram business account can be beneficial. This provides you with comprehensive analytics related to your profile and posts, and the capability to plan Instagram posts via external tools. It’s also an excellent platform to source user-created content, as audiences often share material and mention brands.

5. WeChat — 1.32 billion Active users

Launched in 2011 by Tencent, a leading tech giant in China, WeChat has captured the attention of over 1.32 billion monthly users. This equates to a staggering 80 percent of China’s total population being active on the app.

Initially, WeChat was just a messaging app, similar to WhatsApp and Messenger. However, it has since transformed into a comprehensive platform. Apart from messaging and calling features, it offers a plethora of services. Users can indulge in online shopping, pay bills, purchase groceries, transfer funds, make reservations, hail taxis, and much more.

In China and several other Asian regions, WeChat reigns as the most favored social media app. If your aim is to enhance your brand visibility in China (where renowned social networks like Facebook and X are prohibited), WeChat serves as an excellent substitute. Advertising options are available on the official WeChat account or through WeChat Moments. Additionally, there’s a vast network of influencers on WeChat who can help your brand connect with millions of Chinese consumers.

6. TikTok — 1.22 billion Active users

TikTok, or Douyin as it’s known in China, is an app that allows users to share short videos. Despite being relatively new (it was launched in 2016), the app has grown rapidly and recently surpassed Google as the most frequented internet site.

The platform enables users to produce and distribute videos that last anywhere from 15 seconds to 10 minutes. It also offers a wide array of sound effects, music clips, and filters to enhance the video content and make it more engaging.

TikTok hosts a diverse range of video content, including lip-syncs, dance routines, challenges, DIY tips, and makeup tutorials. Interestingly, nearly half (47.4%) of TikTok’s user base in the U.S. is between the ages of 10 and 29. This makes it an ideal social media platform for businesses targeting a younger demographic.

7. Telegram — 800 million Active users

Telegram is a cost-free communication application that functions seamlessly across various devices, without imposing any restrictions on the size of media files. The standout characteristic of Telegram is its comprehensive encryption that covers all activities – be it individual chats, group conversations, or media exchanges among users. This emphasis on safeguarding user privacy has attracted an increasing customer base, particularly after WhatsApp revealed modifications to its privacy policy, enabling data sharing with its parent entity, Meta.

Telegram offers numerous avenues for businesses to leverage, beyond just offering direct customer service. For instance, companies can develop chatbots specifically for the Telegram platform, or utilize Telegram’s channel feature to disseminate messages to a massive audience of up to 200,000 individuals.

Final Thoughts About Top Social Networks 2023

Understanding the strengths and audience demographics of each one of the top social networks 2023 is paramount in executing a successful social media strategy in 2024. So, do your research carefully and don’t forget that manual link building is even more important to reach clients organically.

If you need any assistance on how to use these networks to increase your brand awareness, please check our outreach campaign management service and let us know if you have any questions.

FAQs

1. What is professional networking?

Professional networking involves making connections with people in your industry or field. This can be done through social networks like LinkedIn. It can help you find job opportunities and learn from others in your field.

2. Why is social networking important?

Social networking is important because it helps us stay connected with friends and family, meet new people, share ideas, and find job opportunities. It’s a powerful tool for communication and information sharing.

3. How does social networking work?

Social networking works by allowing users to create a profile and connect with others. You can follow or friend people, join groups, and participate in discussions. Most networks also allow you to share content like photos, videos, and articles. Brands also use it to connect with their clients.