Connect, Share, and Explore.
Dive into the vibrant world of social media by understanding the most popular and fastest growing apps for 2024!
Ever wonder what makes social media apps so popular these days? Well, buckle up because we’re about to take a fun dive into the world of social media! 🎉
So, picture this: you’re chilling on your phone or computer, scrolling through apps, chatting with friends, and checking out the latest memes. But what exactly are these “social media apps” everyone’s talking about?
What are Social Media Apps?
Think of social media apps or platforms like a big digital playground where you can hang out, chat, and share stuff with friends and other people. It’s your space online, where you can post pictures, videos, or just write whatever’s on your mind. And the cool part? Your friends can see what you share, and they can like it, comment on it, or even share it with their friends.
It’s like having a bunch of bulletin boards where you can pin up your thoughts, photos from your latest adventure, or maybe even a funny meme you found. And just like in real life, you can chat with your buddies one-on-one or in group conversations.
Plus, you get to see what your friends are up to as well. You scroll through your feed, kind of like flipping through a magazine, and you see updates from your friends—what they’re doing, what they’re into, or maybe what they had for lunch.
And if you’re ever bored, there’s always something new to discover! You can explore different topics, find interesting communities, or follow people who share stuff you’re into. It’s like having a never-ending stream of entertainment right at your fingertips!
Overall, social media apps are like your own little corner of the internet where you can connect, share, and have fun with people from all over the world. It’s a place to express yourself, stay connected with friends, and maybe even make some new ones along the way!
What features do social media apps have in common?
In a nutshell, social media apps allow for content creation, connecting with others, and engaging in various forms of social interaction online. Apps typically facilitate communication, content sharing, and networking among users across different locations and demographics.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the key components and features commonly found in social media apps in 2024 :
Your Profile
First things first, you create your profile. It’s like your digital ID card. You add your name, maybe a profile picture, and some details about yourself if you want.
Sharing Stuff
Now, onto the fun part: sharing! You can post all kinds of stuff—photos, videos, status updates, you name it. It’s like shouting out to the world about what’s going on in your life.
Connecting with Friends
Ever heard the phrase “it’s who you know”? Well, on social media, that’s true too! You can find and connect with your friends by sending them friend requests or following them.
The Feed
Imagine a never-ending stream of updates from all your friends and pages you follow—that’s your feed! It’s like a personalised newspaper filled with stuff that interests you.
Liking, Commenting, Sharing
See something you like? Give it a thumbs up! Want to say something? Leave a comment! And if you really love it, you can share it with your own friends.
Messaging
Sometimes, you want to have a private chat with someone. That’s where messaging comes in handy! You can send direct messages to your friends, kind of like texting.
Exploring New Horizons
Feeling adventurous? There’s a whole world of content out there waiting to be discovered! You can explore new topics, find interesting groups to join, or follow people who share stuff you’re into.
Notifications
Ah, the little red notification icon—it’s like your digital tap on the shoulder! It lets you know when someone likes your post, comments on it, or tags you in something.
Privacy Settings
Last but not least, privacy settings. Just like you have a lock on your diary, you can control who sees your stuff on social media. You can adjust your privacy settings to keep things private or share them with the world—it’s up to you!
The Most Popular Social Media Apps
The most popular social media apps in 2024 include Facebook, with over 3 billion monthly active users, YouTube with 2.5 billion, Instagram with 2 billion, WhatsApp also at 2 billion, and TikTok with 1.58 billion. Other notable platforms are WeChat, Facebook Messenger, Telegram, Snapchat, and Douyin.
Did you know that Facebook was the first social network to break the one billion accounts mark? It’s true! But that’s not all—Meta Platforms, the company behind Facebook, also owns WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and Instagram. Each of these platforms boasts more than one billion monthly active users.
When it comes to social media giants, the United States and China are home to some of the biggest names. Most of the top-ranked social networks, each with over 100 million users, hail from the U.S. But Chinese platforms like WeChat, QQ, and Douyin (known internationally as TikTok) have also captured massive audiences, through local marketing. Douyin, for example, was so successful in China that it launched TikTok for the international scene, and we all know how that turned out—TikTok is everywhere now!
As of the third quarter of 2023, Facebook reported around four billion users actively engaging with its Family of products every month. That’s a lot of people sharing, liking, and commenting!
Speaking of user numbers, social media is truly a global phenomenon. These platforms are usually available in multiple languages, helping users connect with friends and strangers alike across the world. In 2022, the number of people using social networking sites was estimated at a whopping 3.96 billion. And guess what? These numbers are still climbing as more people in underserved markets get access to mobile devices and social networks.
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What are some examples of apps and social media icons?
Ever noticed those colourful little symbols scattered across websites, apps, and advertisements? Yep, those are social media icons, and they’re like the digital calling cards of your favourite social platforms.
From the familiar blue bird of Twitter (which has since become X) to the playful ghost of Snapchat, these icons are more than just pretty pictures—they’re instant identifiers that connect us to our virtual hangouts and online communities.
In this section, we look at the most popular apps and social media icons to uncover the stories behind these tiny but mighty symbols!
Ah, the land of photos and filters! Instagram is all about sharing your life visually. Snap a pic, slap on a filter, add a caption, and voila! Your friends can like, comment, and share your posts.
TikTok
Ever heard of short-form videos? That’s TikTok’s jam! You can create fun, creative videos—whether it’s lip-syncing to your favourite song or showing off your dance moves. And the best part? It’s super addictive!
X
Want to share your thoughts but don’t feel like writing an essay? X has got your back! It’s like a giant conversation where you can tweet short messages, follow your favourite celebs, and stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends.
The OG of social media! Facebook is like your digital home base. You can connect with friends and family, join groups, and even sell stuff in the marketplace. Plus, it’s where your aunt shares those funny cat videos!
Snapchat
Say cheese! Snapchat is all about disappearing messages and silly filters. You can send snaps to your friends that disappear after they’ve been viewed—or add them to your story for all your followers to see.
Time to get professional! LinkedIn is the place to be for networking and job hunting. You can showcase your skills, connect with industry professionals, and even apply for jobs—all in one place.
Got a DIY project in mind? Pinterest is your new best friend! It’s like a digital bulletin board where you can pin ideas for recipes, home décor, fashion, and more. Warning: it’s incredibly addictive!
Welcome to the front page of the internet! Reddit is a massive community where you can find just about anything—from memes to in-depth discussions on niche topics. It’s like a treasure trove of internet goodness.
Facebook Messenger
Messenger is your private chat room, a go-to app for sending messages, making video calls, and sharing funny memes with your friends and family. You can send text messages, photos, videos, and even voice messages. Plus, you can create group chats for planning events or just keeping in touch with multiple friends at once.
YouTube
Want to learn a new recipe, watch a music video, or catch up on your favourite vlogger’s latest adventure? YouTube’s got you covered. It’s like the ultimate video hangout spot where you can subscribe to channels, leave comments, and even upload your own videos if you’re feeling creative.
Hugely popular in China. You can send text messages, make voice and video calls, and even share your moments with friends. It also includes features like mobile payments (WeChat Pay), social media (Moments), and even mini-programmes that let you do things like order food, book a taxi, or play games without leaving the app.
Telegram
Telegram lets you send messages, photos, videos, and files of any type, and it’s known for its strong encryption and privacy features. You can have secret chats that self-destruct after a certain period, and it even supports group chats with thousands of members! Plus, you can use it on multiple devices simultaneously.
New Social Media Apps in 2024
As social media continues to evolve, new platforms emerge to cater to specific audiences and offer unique experiences. Hootsuite’s comprehensive guide on the “New Social Media Apps Marketers Should Watch” highlights several rising stars that were predicted to impact the digital landscape in 2024.
From BeReal’s authentic snapshots to Clubhouse’s audio rooms, and Discord’s diverse communities, these platforms provide fresh opportunities for marketers and businesses to engage with users in innovative ways. Let’s take a closer look at some of these promising new social media apps that are worth keeping an eye on.
BeReal
Tired of all the filters and photo-editing on Instagram? BeReal is here to shake things up! This app sends you a daily notification at a random time to capture a real, unfiltered moment within two minutes using both your front and back cameras. It’s all about authenticity and showing what you’re really up to—no retakes or edits allowed. BeReal has seen a massive surge in popularity, with a 1,000% increase in downloads last year. It’s a hot trend you won’t want to miss!
Clubhouse
Clubhouse made waves as an audio-only app where users can drop into live conversations. It exploded in popularity during the pandemic, and although its user base has declined since its peak, it still has a dedicated following, especially in the STEM community. Clubhouse inspired big players like LinkedIn and Spotify to create their own audio spaces, so its influence is undeniable.
Instagram Reels
Not exactly a new for social media apps in 2024, but Instagram Reels is a feature you should be paying attention to. It’s Instagram’s answer to TikTok, allowing users to create and share short videos up to 90 seconds long. Reels have become a popular way to engage audiences with creative and fun content that sticks around in your feed, unlike Stories which disappear after 24 hours.
Spotify Live
Formerly Spotify Greenroom, this app is Spotify’s take on live audio conversations. It leverages Spotify’s massive user base of music and podcast fans, allowing artists and creators to host live chats. While it hasn’t taken off in a huge way yet, it’s an interesting space to watch, especially if you’re into audio content.
Discord
Initially a chat platform for gamers, Discord has grown into a major hub for various communities. It’s used for everything from gaming to discussing niche interests like crypto and NFTs. Brands can create their own servers to build communities and interact with customers in a more personal way.
Twitch
Twitch is the go-to platform for live streaming, especially in the gaming world. But it’s not just for gamers—cooking shows, makeup tutorials, and musical performances are also popular. With 26.5 million daily active users, it’s a platform with significant reach and engagement opportunities.
Patreon
Patreon allows content creators to earn money through subscriptions. It’s a great way for creators to have more control over their revenue, offering exclusive content to subscribers. With over 250,000 creators and eight million subscribers, it’s a powerful tool for building a dedicated fan base.
Substack
Substack is a platform for email newsletters, allowing writers to connect directly with their audience. It’s all about in-depth, quality content, and it’s been growing rapidly. If you’re into long-form writing or podcasting, Substack is worth exploring.
Lemon8
Owned by TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, Lemon8 is a photo and video-sharing app that combines elements of TikTok, Pinterest, and Instagram. It’s geared towards lifestyle and aesthetics, featuring topics like fashion, beauty, and travel. It’s a new player but has quickly gained popularity in the US and UK.
Telegram
Telegram is a messaging app that emphasizes privacy and security. It supports large group chats and public channels, making it a versatile tool for communication. With 550 million monthly active users, it’s a significant platform, especially in regions where privacy is a major concern.
Polywork
Polywork is a professional networking app that allows users to showcase multiple roles and projects. It’s designed for the hustle culture generation, offering a more flexible approach to professional networking than LinkedIn. It’s an exciting new space for professionals looking to collaborate and connect.
Mastodon
Mastodon is a decentralized social network that gained popularity as an alternative to Twitter. It’s open-source and has a chronological newsfeed, offering a different experience from algorithm-driven platforms. It’s a niche but growing space, especially appealing to those looking for less commercialized social interactions.
Locket
Locket is a widget that displays photos from your close friends right on your phone’s home screen. It’s designed for more personal, intimate sharing, and it quickly gained popularity upon its launch. It’s a simple yet innovative way to stay connected with your closest friends.
Tribel
Tribel is a new social network focusing on kindness and intelligence, created by the activists behind Occupy Democrats. It’s similar to Twitter but aims to be a bigotry-free space. While still small, it’s an interesting platform for those looking to engage in thoughtful discussions.
Hive Social
Hive Social is a mobile-only app that offers a chronological feed and no character limits. It’s designed to be a more user-friendly and personalised social experience, allowing for greater customisation and control over your profile.
Gas
Gas is a polling app popular among high school students. Users can post positive poll questions about their friends and collect anonymous answers. It’s all about uplifting and complimenting each other, making it a fun and positive social experience.
CoHost
CoHost is a blogging platform with a retro feel, reminiscent of early web design. It allows users to create collaborative pages and incorporate CSS into their posts. It’s still invite-only but offers a unique space for creative expression.
Counter Social
Counter Social is an ad-free, chronological news feed platform focused on security and privacy. It bans users from certain countries to prevent bots and trolls, creating a safer space for genuine interaction. It’s a niche but dedicated community worth exploring.
What are Some of the Fastest Growing Social Media Apps?
Let’s chat about some of the fastest-growing social media apps that are making waves right now. Here are a few highlighted in Top 20 New Social Media Networks (May 2024) (explodingtopics.com):
Threads
Launched in mid-2023 by Meta Platforms, Threads is like Instagram’s answer to Twitter, focusing on text-based conversations. Despite being new, it quickly amassed 160 million users, and Neymar Jr. is currently its most-followed user. It’s a space for more genuine, real-time interaction.
Partiful
Partiful is your go-to for planning parties. Founded in 2020 in Brooklyn, this platform has seen a massive spike in interest, especially since 2022. It’s designed to make event organizing a breeze, with $27.3 million in funding backing it up.
Quest
Quest is a digital learning platform from Quest Alliance, launched in 2005 but gaining huge traction recently. It aims to bridge the skills gap in the job market, offering employability skills training supported by a strong community of learners and trainers. It’s particularly relevant with the ongoing high demand for skilled workers.
WeAre8
Founded in 2012, WeAre8 is unique with its concept of presenting users with 8 minutes of curated content daily and rewarding them for viewing ads. It’s positioned as “social media with a purpose” and has garnered significant interest and funding.
Lemon8
Lemon8, from the creators of TikTok, is gaining momentum in the US after success in Japan and Thailand. It’s a photo-sharing app that has topped lifestyle app charts and seen over 5 million downloads on Google Play since its launch in 2020.
Made with Friends
This app turns the social media concept on its head by letting friends post on each other’s profiles. Launched in 2015 in Stockholm, it’s growing steadily, particularly on TikTok, where it has a decent following.
Supernova
Supernova, founded in 2012, is a social network that gives back by donating 60% of its ad revenue to charities chosen by its users. It’s riding the wave of social entrepreneurship and making a real impact.
Airchat
New on the scene in 2024, Airchat focuses on voice-first messaging. It’s already gained 50,000 users quickly and offers a fresh take on social interaction with its push-to-talk feature.
BAND
BAND, launched in 2013, excels at group communication, which is often a weak point for other social apps. With a user base of 50 million and a focus on team collaboration, it’s a solid tool for organised group interaction.
EToro
EToro combines trading and social networking, allowing users to follow and copy successful traders’ strategies. Founded in 2007, it now has over 3 million users and offers a unique blend of financial interaction and social features.
Sunroom
Sunroom is a women-owned platform launched in 2020 that champions body positivity and is friendly to sex workers. It’s positioned as a competitor to OnlyFans but with a more inclusive and supportive culture.
Peanut
Peanut, founded in 2016, connects women through various stages of life, from motherhood to menopause. With 3 million users, it’s a supportive community emphasising empathy and collective support.
Substack
Substack is revolutionising newsletters, allowing creators to monetize their writing. With 20 million users and over $90 million in funding, it’s a powerful platform for content creators.
Elpha
Elpha is like LinkedIn for women, including trans women and non-binary individuals. Founded in 2019, it offers a supportive networking environment focused on professional growth and community.
Public
Public is an investment app with a social twist, enabling users to discuss and share trading insights. Founded in 2015, it has grown to 25 million users and integrates social networking into financial trading.
Fizz Social
Fizz Social, launched in 2021, is a campus-specific platform moderated by students. It started at Stanford and is expanding, emphasising community health and moderation.
Caffeine
Caffeine, launched in 2016, targets live video content, especially among the African-American community. It offers live streaming of rap battles, dance, and comedy, and has garnered a significant following.
Dispo
Dispo, initially known as David’s Disposable, is a photo-sharing app that mimics the experience of using a disposable camera. Since its launch in 2019, it has evolved into a popular social network with over 1 million users.
WattPad
WattPad, a platform for writers and readers, has 94 million users. Founded in 2006, it allows writers to build a loyal fan base and offers tools to help them publish their work.
Crunchyroll
Crunchyroll is a haven for anime fans, offering streaming, blog updates, and social networking. With 120 million users, it’s a major player in the anime entertainment industry.
The social media landscape is continually evolving, with new platforms emerging to meet niche marketing needs and provide unique experiences. These social media apps show how innovation and focusing on specific communities can carve out significant space in a crowded market.
How to Develop Social Media Apps?
We’ve now covered a lot of what’s going on with social media apps, the most popular and some of the fastest growing. But what if you would like to develop your own social media app? Developing a social media app might sound like a huge task, but let’s break it down into simple steps.
Step 1: Idea and Planning
First things first, what’s your big idea? What’s going to make your social media app stand out? Is it for sharing photos, connecting people with similar hobbies, or something totally new? Once you have your idea, plan out the features you want. Think profiles, messaging, posts, likes, comments—whatever makes your app unique.
Step 2: Design Your App
Next up, you need a design. Sketch out how you want your app to look and feel. Think about the user experience—how easy it is for someone to navigate your app. You don’t need to be an artist; simple drawings or wireframes will do. If you want to get fancy, you can use tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD to create more detailed designs.
Step 3: Choose Your Tech Stack
Now, let’s talk tech. You’ll need to choose the right technologies to build your app. For the front end (what users see), you might use frameworks like React Native or Flutter. For the back end (the server stuff), you could use Node.js, Python, or Ruby on Rails. Don’t forget about databases—options like Firebase, MongoDB, or MySQL will help you store all that user data.
Step 4: Develop the Front End
Time to bring your designs to life! Start coding the front end of your app. This is where users will interact with your app, so focus on making it smooth and responsive. Make sure your app looks good on all devices, from smartphones to tablets.
Step 5: Build the Back End
While the front end is the face of your app, the back end is the brain. Set up your servers, databases, and APIs (application programming interfaces) to handle things like user accounts, posts, and messages. This is also where you’ll manage security to keep user data safe.
Step 6: Add Essential Features
Now, let’s add the magic ingredients. Implement core features like user profiles, a news feed, posting capabilities, and messaging. Make sure to test each feature thoroughly. You don’t want any bugs ruining the user experience!
Step 7: Test, Test, Test
Speaking of testing, this step is crucial. Try out your app on different devices and get some friends to test it too. Look for bugs, crashes, or anything that’s confusing. The goal is to make your app as user-friendly as possible.
Step 8: Launch Your App
Once you’re confident everything’s working smoothly, it’s launch time! Submit your app to the App Store and Google Play Store. This process can take a little time, so be patient. Make sure you have a marketing plan to let people know about your awesome new app.
Step 9: Gather Feedback and Improve
Your app is live—congrats! But the work doesn’t stop here. Pay attention to user feedback and be ready to make improvements. Regular updates will keep your app fresh and users happy.
Step 10: Scale and Add New Features
As your user base grows, you might need to scale your servers and infrastructure. Keep an eye on what users are loving and think about adding new features to keep things exciting.
And there you have it! Building a social media app is a big journey, but by breaking it down into these steps, it becomes a lot more manageable. Good luck, and have fun with it!
Summary
The social media landscape is constantly evolving, with new platforms emerging to meet niche needs and provide unique experiences. From the text-based interactions on Threads to the voice-first messaging of Airchat, these apps are redefining how we connect, communicate, and share content. Whether it’s enhancing group communication on BAND, fostering community support on Peanut, or empowering writers on Substack, each platform brings something fresh and valuable to the table.
As these platforms grow and innovate, they continue to reshape our digital interactions, offering new ways to connect and engage. Whether you’re a social media enthusiast, a content creator, or simply someone looking to find a new online community, there’s never been a more exciting time to explore these burgeoning platforms.
Stay ahead of the curve and dive into these exciting new social media platforms today! Follow us for more insights and updates on the latest trends in social media. Don’t forget to share your experiences with these apps in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you! And if you haven’t already, subscribe to our newsletter for weekly tips, reviews, and exclusive content to keep you in the loop with the ever-changing world of social media apps.
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