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17 Best Social Media Platforms for Businesses
- Published: Aug 13, 2024
- 13 min. read
-
Savannah SwansonLead Digital & Social Trends Writer
- Savannah is a content marketer with editorial experience spanning several businesses. Specializing in social media and marketing trends, she loves talking about the latest developments in online marketing. When she’s not writing, Savannah loves traveling, hoarding books and coffee mugs, and adoring her cat. Please don’t ask her about famous true crime cases, or else she’ll tell you all about her theories and get absolutely no work done.
Bad news, folks— there is no universal “best” social media platform. The good news? There is a best social media platform(s) for you and your business, you just have to find it!
I know, I know. It’s a lot easier said than done, especially when there are so many different platforms to choose from. Fear not, because today we’re exploring some of the best social media platforms for businesses in 2024, from microblogging sites and lively discussion forums to the classics like Facebook and Instagram.
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Telegram
- Mastodon
- Snapchat
- X (formerly Twitter)
- Threads
- Discord
- Tumblr
- Twitch
Keep reading to learn about the best social media platforms for businesses, including yours! Or, call 888-601-5359 to speak with a strategist about social media plans from WebFX!
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17 best social media platforms in 2024
Take a look at the best social media platforms for businesses, and keep reading to get a closer look at each:
PLATFORM | # OF GLOBAL MONTHLY ACTIVE USERS (MAU) |
3 billion MAU | |
YouTube | 2.5 billion MAU |
2 billion MAU | |
2 billion MAU | |
1.6 billion MAU | |
TikTok | 1.5 billion MAU |
1.3 billion MAU | |
1 billion MAU | |
Telegram | 900 million MAU |
Mastodon | 841 million MAU |
Snapchat | 800 million MAU |
X (formerly Twitter) | 611 million MAU |
522 million MAU | |
Threads | 175 million MAU |
Discord | 154 million MAU |
Tumblr | 135 million MAU |
Twitch | 7.3 million monthly active streamers |
1. Facebook
With over 3 billion MAU, Facebook is the largest social platform in the world, making it a great starting point for your social media marketing endeavors. Facebook offers something for everyone, including diverse advertising opportunities for the 89% of global marketers who already use the platform.
Facebook supports a variety of content formats, from photos and videos to GIFs and Stories. But if you ask us, the sweet spot when it comes to Facebook marketing is creating content that sparks conversations. Facebook’s algorithm prioritizes content like this, so plan your strategy accordingly!
2. YouTube
YouTube is the quintessential video marketing platform. It’s a social media site to be reckoned with because of its ability to attract large audiences (over 2.5 billion users per month, to be exact).
YouTube is home to more than just funny compilations and music videos — it’s a place to educate your audience through product reviews, instructional videos, case studies, and other behind-the-scenes content for your brand.
With over 62 million creators active on YouTube, you also have the potential to create valuable partnerships for an influencer marketing campaign that reaches specific audiences. Best of all, YouTube videos appear in Google search results, improving your search visibility. Combine that with YouTube ads and Shorts, and you’ve got plenty of room for potential with a YouTube marketing campaign.
3. Instagram
From sharing outfits of the day to aesthetically pleasing meals, Instagram has a lot to offer its users. For marketers, it’s the chance to reach its 2 billion monthly active users (MAU).
Instagram is a great platform for businesses and marketers just starting out with social media marketing because it’s home to a variety of users, from teens and Gen Zers to millennials and more. With plenty of content formats available (photos, videos, Reels, Stories, and more!), it’s easy to get started with Instagram for business.
Better yet, as part of the Meta Platforms family, Instagram integrates with Facebook, Threads, WhatsApp, and more so you can begin building a seamless social media marketing strategy.
4. WhatsApp
WhatsApp is a popular social messaging app that connects people worldwide. More popular among younger users, WhatsApp can help you foster a better sense of connection and community with your audience. You can use WhatsApp in your social media strategy to create personalized messages for customers that keep your brand top of mind. Or, create groups for different audience segments to stay connected.
Additionally, WhatsApp is considered one of the best social media platforms for businesses because it allows you to streamline communication between you and your customers. It’s a reliable messaging app, so many businesses use WhatsApp to conduct better customer service by fielding customer questions, inquiries, and troubleshooting. The best part? It’s all happening in one organized app, providing a user-friendly experience for your audience.
5. LinkedIn
If you’re a business-to-business (B2B) company, LinkedIn is the ultimate social media platform. With over 67 million companies and organizations, it’s no wonder that 64% of global marketers use LinkedIn as part of their social media strategy.
A place to establish thought leadership and build partnerships with companies and their decision-makers, LinkedIn is a professional networking site with unlimited potential. With the help of organic content and paid ad opportunities, you can create a targeted LinkedIn marketing campaign that effectively reaches your most valuable audiences.
6. TikTok
TikTok is a short-form video-sharing social media platform that has become increasingly popular over the past few years, boasting over 1.5 billion MAU. The origin point for many of today’s trending memes, songs, filters, and more, TikTok is home to audiences of all interests, making it a great place to connect with people if video content is your thing.
Whether you’re into organic content or utilizing TikTok’s various advertising placements, TikTok has the potential to help you connect with new audiences, nurture leads, increase brand awareness, and even sell products!
7. WeChat
As one of the most popular social media apps in China and other parts of Asia, WeChat hosts approximately 1.3 billion MAU. WeChat originally started out as a simple messaging platform and has since evolved into an all-in-one app that allows for messaging, calls, shopping, reservations, bookings for taxis, and more!
Because popular social media platforms like Facebook, X, and YouTube are banned in China, advertising on WeChat is a great alternative for brands looking to expand their reach in China and tap into Asia’s diverse audience.
8. Reddit
For in-depth (and sometimes animated) discussions of niche topics, look no further than Reddit, an online community built up of subreddits, or forums, dedicated to topics ranging from plant care to discussing the latest episodes of popular TV shows.
Reddit is a top social media platform to join for a few reasons. First, there’s a subreddit for almost anything, so you’re likely to find various segments of your audience hanging around one forum or another. Second, Reddit posts and discussions can show up in Google search results, so if you’re consistently creating engaging posts or participating in conversations with helpful input, you could add another layer of visibility to your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts.
9. Telegram
If you’re looking to take your customer service efforts social, Telegram is the perfect platform. Telegram is a free messaging app that doesn’t limit media sizes and is available for mobile devices and desktop computers.
With a focus on security and end-to-end encryption, many brands use the app to provide one-on-one customer support (especially since WhatsApp changed its privacy policy regarding sharing information with Meta). With chatbot and mass-messaging capabilities, Telegram’s cloud-based platform is worth looking into.
10. Mastodon
Mastodon is almost like X and Tumblr combined — it’s an open-source, microblogging platform where users can join communities and interact in a way that’s similar to forums or discussion boards.
On Mastodon, users set up servers and run communities dedicated to all kinds of interests and topics. Instead of all communities being run and moderated by one corporation (like X), Mastodon is a decentralized social media platform, and servers are moderated by the server hosts themselves. From a marketing and business standpoint, Mastodon can be a great place for your brand to either set up your own server or join others and begin engaging in conversations with your audience.
11. Snapchat
Launched in 2011, Snapchat laid the foundation for the rise of short-form, vertical video content that lasts 24 hours. Known as “snaps,” content on the platform is shared between friends through private chats and public stories. Users can also explore content from other creators through
While interest in Instagram & Facebook Stories and Reels may have significantly taken over the spotlight, Snapchat is still a considerably powerful social media platform. Specifically, it’s ideal for brands looking to connect with teen audiences, as 48% of Snapchat’s active users are 15–25 years old.
12. X (formerly Twitter)
Conversations spark connections, so what better way to connect with your audience than through X (formerly Twitter) posts? While X supports multimedia content like videos, photos, and GIFs, it all comes down to the 280-character posts you create.
Through posts, brands can interact with customers one-on-one and cultivate better relationships with people. Some brands use X to create posts that inform their audience and hone their voice, while others use it to conduct their customer service efforts. Whatever the case, X is a place to join the conversation and drive brand awareness.
13. Pinterest
Pinterest is a place to share (or “pin”) different visual content so other users can see it, including everything from outfit ideas to infographics. In other words, it’s possible for practically any company to find its niche on this top social media platform.
Pinterest promotes striking visual content, and it’s what stands out to users when they scroll through their seemingly endless feeds. People go to Pinterest for ideas and inspiration, so it’s also the perfect place to sell products via linked images and engaging content marketing tactics like videos, graphics, and more.
14. Threads
As Instagram’s answer to X (Twitter), Threads offers another online space for people to connect via conversation. Its integrations with Instagram and Facebook make it easy for users to sign up and sync their profile information, but that’s not all. Threads has a 500-character limit for posts, one-upping X’s 280-character limit. Threads users can share videos, photos, and GIFs, making it a nearly identical online space compared to X.
15. Discord
Originally designed as an online community for gamers, Discord is a communication platform that has since expanded into other industries, including business, educational institutions, and more.
On Discord, users can communicate with other people in real-time via voice & text chats, create servers, and join different communities. It’s an easy-to-use, customizable platform that’s meant to connect you with people all around the Internet. So, what better way to start building relationships with your target audience than Discord?
16. Tumblr
The microblogging site Tumblr may not have the same hype around it as it did back in the 2010s, but its user base is still incredibly loyal, meaning there are plenty of active users to connect with.
Tumblr allows for a variety of content formats, like text, photos & videos, GIFs, audio, links, and more. So, you’ve got plenty of options for how you want to market your brand on Tumblr, whether it’s sharing helpful infographics and videos, or using your page to simply start conversations with audiences and build a brand voice.
17. Twitch
Twitch is a game-streaming platform that lets users tune into live streams and have real-time conversations with other viewers and streamers. Because it’s primarily a gaming community, it is niche. But, if your audience is there, it’s a great place to start interacting with them.
Success with Twitch advertising is all about building a community and sense of camaraderie around your channel — do that by engaging with your audience through chat rooms and responding to comments during live streams.
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Savannah is a content marketer with editorial experience spanning several businesses. Specializing in social media and marketing trends, she loves talking about the latest developments in online marketing. When she’s not writing, Savannah loves traveling, hoarding books and coffee mugs, and adoring her cat. Please don’t ask her about famous true crime cases, or else she’ll tell you all about her theories and get absolutely no work done.
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WebFX is a full-service marketing agency with 1,100+ client reviews and a 4.9-star rating on Clutch! Find out how our expert team and revenue-accelerating tech can drive results for you! Learn more
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Give Me an IdeaTable of Contents
- 17 Best Social Media Platforms in 2024
- 1. Facebook
- 2. YouTube
- 3. Instagram
- 4. WhatsApp
- 5. LinkedIn
- 6. TikTok
- 7. WeChat
- 8. Reddit
- 9. Telegram
- 10. Mastodon
- 11. Snapchat
- 12. X (formerly Twitter)
- 13. Pinterest
- 14. Threads
- 15. Discord
- 16. Tumblr
- 17. Twitch
- Use the Best Social Media Platform (and Agency) for Your Business
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