10 Surprising Facts About Social Media That Will Blow Your Mind
Social media has become an integral part of our lives. Almost everyone uses it, from individuals to organizations. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and many others have changed how we interact, communicate, and consume content. Here are ten surprising facts about social media that will blow your mind.
1. Over 3.6 billion people use social media
According to a report by We Are Social, over 3.6 billion people worldwide actively use social media. This translates to nearly half of the world population. This large number implies that social media is a critical communication tool for individuals, businesses, and organizations.
2. Users spend an average of 3 hours per day on social media
A report by Global Web Index shows that internet users spend an average of 3 hours per day on social media platforms. This means that people spend almost one-eighth of their day on social media, and it is now competing with other leisure activities such as watching television and listening to music.
3. Instagram has over 1 billion active users
Instagram, a photo and video-sharing social networking platform, has over 1 billion active users. This number has more than doubled in the past four years, overtaking Twitter, Pinterest, and Snapchat in terms of active users. This makes Instagram the fastest-growing social media platform.
4. Facebook Messenger has approximately 1.3 billion active users
Facebook Messenger is among the top messaging apps, with over 1.3 billion active users. Sixty-seven percent of Facebook Messenger users expect to increase their messaging in the near future, indicating that messaging is becoming a preferred communication tool.
5. 50 million small businesses use Facebook Pages
Facebook Pages provides businesses with an opportunity to interact with customers and market their products. According to Facebook, more than 50 million small businesses use Facebook Pages, and 78% of American consumers discover new products on Facebook.
6. LinkedIn has more than 700 million users
LinkedIn is a social networking site specifically for professionals and job seekers. It has over 700 million users, and two new professionals join LinkedIn every second. LinkedIn is an excellent platform for businesses to reach a professional and global audience.
7. Mobile social media advertising revenue is expected to reach over $240 billion by 2023
Mobile social media is rapidly growing, and its advertising revenue is expected to reach over $240 billion by 2023. This implies that businesses should invest in social media advertising to reach more customers.
8. Facebook added 500,000 new users per day in 2020
Despite concerns over data privacy and censorship, Facebook added 500,000 new users per day in 2020. This illustrates that Facebook is here to stay and remains a critically important platform.
9. Social media can impact mental health
Social media can affect mental health, with research showing that excessive social media use can cause anxiety, depression, loneliness, and self-esteem issues. Businesses should consider the negative effects of social media use on mental health and take necessary measures to curb any negative outcomes.
10. Social media is the primary source of news for many people
A study by Pew Research Center shows that almost half of American adults (47%) consume news on social media. This indicates that social media has become a primary source of news for many people and has significantly impacted how we engage with current events.
Conclusion
Social media is transforming how we interact, communicate and consume content. The ten surprising facts outlined above indicate that social media is here to stay and is likely to become more prevalent in our daily lives. As businesses and organizations, we must understand the importance of social media and harness its immense potential to reach and engage with audiences effectively.
