Key Findings

• TikTok’s Rise: TikTok saw a dramatic increase to 41.8B visits, a growth of 6015.0% since 2019.
• Five-Year Growth: Social media visits jumped from 582.9B to 1.98T, a 70.56% increase over five years from 2019 to 2023.
• 2023 Visit Highs: Combined visits for the top 10 sites reached a record high of 1.98 trillion in 2023, with a global average of 165.0 billion monthly and 5.4 billion daily visits.
• Dominant Platforms: In 2023, YouTube led with 1.35T visits, followed by Facebook and Twitter.
• Top Visiting Countries: The US (436.1B), India (171.8B), and Brazil (123B) led in social media visits in 2023.
• User Demographics and Devices: Male users dominated at 68.65%, with most accessing social media on mobile devices (59.10%).

TikTok Overview:

TikTok, the breakout star in the social media space, has seen an explosive 60.15 times increase in its growth rate, the highest among the top platforms.

From just 0.7 billion visits in 2019, the platform has skyrocketed to 41.8 billion visits in 2023. If numbers like this continue before long it might be claiming the top spot.

With an even distribution of male and female users at 69% and 31%, respectively, TikTok has made a remarkable 78.35% of its access from mobile devices, reflecting its status as a mobile-centric platform. And in an increasingly mobile-centric world, the odds are very much in TikTok’s favor.

Here are some key numbers:

• Total Visits 2023: 41.8B
• % of Total Visits of the Top 10 Sites: 2.11%
• Average Monthly Visits in 2023: 3.5B
• Average Daily Visits in 2023: 114.7M
• Growth (2019-2023): 41.2B (98.34%)
• Average Visit Duration in 2023: 9:34
• Gender Distribution: 69% Male, 31% Female
• Device Preference: 78.35% Mobile

10 Most Popular Social Media Platforms

1. YouTube:

YT maintained its leadership in social media, skyrocketing to 1.35 trillion visits in 2023 from 263.3 billion in 2019, marking an impressive 80.49% growth.

2. Facebook:

Although it lost its top spot, Facebook remained a key player, with 216.4 billion visits in 2023, up 15.33% from 2019.

This growth, albeit more modest, demonstrates Facebook’s enduring relevance in social networking, with a fairly balanced gender distribution and almost equal use of desktop and mobile platforms.

3. X (Twitter):

Exhibited notable growth, with visits soaring to 112.9 billion in 2023, a 63.19% increase from 41.6 billion in 2019.

This reflects Twitter’s appeal for real-time content, with a slightly male-dominated user base and a significant preference for mobile usage (77.51%).

4. Instagram:

Capitalized on the visual content trend, escalating to 87.3 billion visits in 2023, a 62.40% increase from 2019.

Instagram’s growth underscores its strength as a mobile-first platform, popular for visual entertainment, with a gender distribution leaning towards male users (67%).

5. Reddit:

Emerged as a significant player with 81.0 billion visits in 2023, up 68.72% from 2019. This growth rate highlights Reddit’s role as a key platform for community-driven content, with a majority male user base and a high percentage of mobile traffic (72.27%).

6. TikTok:

Apart from being banned in many countries, TikTok showed the most explosive growth among all platforms, with a 60.15 times increase in visits, reaching 41.8 billion in 2023 from just 0.7 billion in 2019.

This surge underscores TikTok’s rapid rise as a mobile-centric platform, equally popular among male and female users.

7. WhatsApp:

Saw significant growth in visits, reaching 31.3 billion in 2023, a 68.72% increase from 2019. The platform is predominantly used by male users and has a surprising number of desktop users, indicating its broad appeal as a cross-platform communication tool.

8. LinkedIn:

Continued to grow steadily, reaching 20.5 billion visits in 2023, up 59.41% from 2019. This growth reflects LinkedIn’s importance in the professional networking space, with a majority male user base and a preference for desktop usage.

9. Twitch:

Nearly doubled its visits to 20.0 billion in 2023, marking a 48.14% increase. Twitch’s growth is indicative of the rising popularity of live streaming, especially within the gaming community, with a significant male user base and considerable mobile device usage.

10. Quora:

Experienced notable growth, with visits climbing to 19.0 billion in 2023, a 60.25% increase. This growth rate shows the platform’s increasing relevance in knowledge sharing and information seeking, with a slight male dominance in its user base and a strong trend towards mobile usage.

This initiative, coinciding with new global research conducted by YouGov in partnership with ConnectSafely, involving over 12,000 teens aged 13-17 and their parents, reflects a strong desire among youth for increased collaboration opportunities and a voice in shaping their online experiences.

As the first-of-its-kind endeavour for the tech industry, the platform sets a precedent in the realm of online platforms by bringing together teenagers from Africa and around the world to address key issues impacting young users, with TikTok being the first to have a Youth Council of advisors.

In partnership with distinguished online safety agency Praesidio Safeguarding, TikTok has assembled 15 dynamic teenagers aged between 15 and 18 to form the Global Youth Council.

Representing diverse communities and countries, including the US, UK, Brazil, Indonesia, Ireland, Kenya, Mexico, and Morocco, this council aims to spearhead transformative change in online platforms and ensure that young voices are integral to TikTok’s decision-making processes.

The group convened for its inaugural meeting in December 2023 and wrapped up its second session in February 2024, with the presence of TikTok CEO Shou Chew.

During the recent engagement, the teens provided input into TikTok’s Youth Portal, which is currently being redesigned, and requested information about the reporting and blocking process to better understand its procedures.

The Youth Council’s priorities for the year ahead include a focus on teen well-being and inclusion to maintain TikTok as a safe and accessible space.

Excitingly, the representation of Africa is prominently marks a significant milestone for the region. A 17-year-old member from one of the African countries shared, “I’m honoured to be part of this council. It’s a dream come true to work with teenagers ready to make the online world safer. I look forward to making TikTok a better platform for teenagers.”

Valiant Richey, TikTok’s global head of Outreach and Partnerships, said:

“TikTok is a platform where families come to create and enjoy memorable moments, and we want to ensure we’re empowering families with the tools to do this. Listening to teens and then making meaningful changes based on what they have to say is one of the most important steps we can take to continue building a safe platform.”

Jennifer Kaberi, CEO of Mtoto News in Kenya, emphasised the significance of this initiative, stating:

“In a world where digital landscapes form the cornerstone of our children and youth’s realities, it’s imperative that their voices shape the very fabric of this digital era. TikTok’s dedication to amplifying the voices of the young, particularly highlighting our commitment to inclusivity and empowerment, is a bold step forward. This initiative is about revolutionising how we engage with digital futures through the lens of those who will inherit it.”

Through this initiative, TikTok empowers teenagers to play an active role in shaping the platform’s policies and initiatives.

As the council embarks on its journey in 2024, the platform reaffirms its dedication to empowering the next generation and creating a positive digital experience for all users, where the voices of its young users are heard and valued.

[Featured Image Credit]

We can think of no better way to share our festive season ventures than through short video clips posted on social media.

But let’s face it, with so many apps to choose from to create your video blog, or vlogging as it’s called, where do you start? Well, why not with the one that is far and away the most popular amongst the younger generation, TikTok.

Experience next-level fun with TikTok

At the end of last year, TikTok topped 656 million downloads worldwide. In South Africa alone, TikTok has over 6.4 million users aged mainly between 15 and 34. Of those, six million people use the app every single day.

No wonder that many consider TikTok to be the platform of choice to create and post short vlogs.

There’s even those who feel that TikTok could well grow past YouTube in the online video creation stakes in the not-too-distant future.

What makes it such a popular platform and why is it a wonderful way for you to upload your crazy December holiday content on? Well, the answer lies in its user-friendliness.

Launched in 2016, it began by featuring videos ranging in length from 15 second to 10 minutes containing content such as pranks, stunts, tricks, jokes, and dances.

From creating split screen duet videos with your bestie from the other side of the world, to adding effects like filters, background music, and stickers, you can supercharge your vlog at the swipe of a finger.

Become a pro video creator with the InShot- Video Editor & Maker

Video creation has become simpler and fun, with the InShot- Video Editor & Maker. The app helps you capture all of life’s moment easily and edit them to share on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, IGTV, Facebook, Messenger, Musical.ly, Tik Tok, Twitter and more.

You can use features such as the video trimmer and video splitter to cut videos to the length you need, split it into two or more clips and still maintain your footage in great HD quality.

The video merger that enables you to combine multiple video clips into one video. And, you can add filters and effects that can turn your moment into a movie styled video.

If you have captured your video and ready to share on social media but not sure about the suitable ratios you need for each platform, don’t worry. InShot has made it easy for you to fit your video in any aspect ratio for Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and more.

Capture your day in a vintage style video with the 90s – Glitch VHS & Vaporwave Video Effects Editor

We all love a vintage effect video that looks like an old film, don’t we? If you are an old soul, then you’ll love the 90s – Glitch VHS & Vaporwave Video Effects Editor, which takes you back to the 90’s with retro VHS effects.

The cool app records aesthetic videos with numerous powerful real-time glitch and vaporwave retro video filters, ranging from RGB glitches, VHS, trippy, sketch, grainy, pixelated filters, retro 3d vaporwave video effects, to vaporwave effects.

You can also layer with impressive, animated texts, stickers frames, music and more.

These three video apps make it easy for you to create content that is worthy to watch. Best of all, the platforms are completely free to use, so you can take your family and friends with you, albeit virtually, wherever you’re headed these holidays.

Perhaps it’s that perfect coastal escape, or a few days in the bushveld. Or perhaps, you’ve got something more extreme planned like bungee jumping or white-water rafting.

Whatever’s on your activity list this December, take TikTok, InShot-Video Editor & Maker or 90s – Glitch VHS & Vaporwave Video Effects Editor with you, and create video memories to last a lifetime.