Do you know which are the most popular social media apps and platforms in Malaysia, Singapore, China, and around the world?
If you’re aware of them, it can greatly benefit your business in attracting social media users.
However, when it comes to social media marketing, it’s not just about the sheer number of users; it’s also important to assess whether a platform aligns with your brand and effectively reaches your intended audience.
For instance, do the social media apps and platforms align with your brand’s identity?
Is your target audience actively engaged on those platforms?
In this article, we’ll unveil the trendiest social media apps and platforms, supported by useful social media statistics.
Our aim is that this article serves as a guide for you to make well-informed decisions for your social media marketing strategies.
The World’s Hottest Social Media Apps and Platforms in 2023
| Platform | Parent Company |
|---|---|
| Meta | |
| YouTube | |
| Meta | |
| Meta | |
| WeChat (including Weixin) | Tencent |
| TikTok | ByteDance |
| Facebook Messenger | Meta |
| Snapchat | Snap Inc. |
| Douyin | ByteDance |
| Telegram | Telegram |
| Kuaishou | Kuaishou |
| Tencent | |
| Sina Weibo | Sina Corporation |
Facebook remains the top global social media platform, with the most user interaction.
However, the social media landscape is changing.
There are now seven platforms with over one billion users each month.
Four of these platforms are owned by Meta, the parent company.
Social media’s influence is widespread, as shown by 15 platforms having at least 400 million active users as of July 2023. Notable platforms include YouTube with a potential advertising reach of 2.527 billion, WhatsApp with 2 billion users, and Instagram with 2 billion users.
WeChat, including Weixin, has an impressive 1.319 billion monthly users.
TikTok could potentially reach 1.081 billion adults with its ads.
Other platforms like Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, Douyin, Telegram, Kuaishou, QQ, and Sina Weibo also have large user bases.
Twitter’s potential ad reach was 564 million in July 2023, but its data can fluctuate greatly, even day-to-day.
Finally, Pinterest has 463 million monthly users.
Social Networks Popularity Ranking:
- Facebook – 2.96 billion MAUs
- YouTube – 2.2 billion MAUs
- WhatsApp- 2 billion MAUs
- Instagram – 2 billion MAUs
- WeChat – 1.26 billion MAUs
- TikTok – 1 billion MAUs
- Sina Weibo – 573 million MAUs
- QQ – 538.91 million MAUs
- Snapchat – 557 million MAUs
- Telegram – 550 million MAUs
Hottest Social Media Platforms and Apps in Malaysia in 2023
In 2023, the most popular social media in Malaysia are WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram.
Among these, WhatsApp is the top choice, used by 89.3% of the country’s population.
This is because its convenience and familiarity make it appealing to people of all ages.
Facebook is used by 84.8% of Malaysians, and Instagram is used by 74.3%.
These platforms have a wide range of features that attract different groups of people and help them stay connected.
While TikTok is becoming more popular among young people for entertainment, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram continue to dominate in Malaysia.
This is because these platforms are deeply integrated into people’s daily lives and have a broad reach.
WhatsApp is popular due to its simple design, which allows easy communication among friends, family, and coworkers.
It also has a user-friendly interface and strong security with end-to-end encryption.
Facebook has evolved from a basic social network to a versatile platform for news, entertainment, and even shopping.
Instagram is the go-to platform for those who prefer a visually pleasing experience, focusing on images and short videos.
Together, these three platforms have captured a significant portion of Malaysia’s social media market.
They showcase their adaptability and ability to meet the diverse needs of users.
Social Media Platforms Popularity Ranking:
- YouTube – 23.90 million Active users
- Facebook – 20.25 million Active users
- Instagram – 13.90 million Active users
- Tiktok – 19.30 million Active users
- Facebook Messenger – 11.20 million Active users
- Twitter – 5.50 million Active users
- LinkedIn – 7.00 million Active users
- Snapchat – 1.45 million Active users
Top Social Media Apps and Platforms in Singapore in 2023
WhatsApp might seem like a simple messaging app for chatting with friends and family, but it’s much more than that.
Nowadays, businesses are using it to offer personalized, top-notch service to customers.
In Singapore, 83.2% of those aged 16 to 64 use WhatsApp, making it the leading social media platform.
Modern customers expect quick answers, tailored brand experiences, and communication on their preferred platforms.
This gives companies a great chance to directly connect with customers, cater to their preferences, and stand out by providing a unique experience.
Thanks to its rapid growth in Singapore, WhatsApp has become the preferred channel for customer communication.
Facebook is widely used in Singapore, making it one of the top social networks.
With over 3.3 million active users each month, it serves as a hub for various social media activities, like maintaining relationships, staying updated on news, and engaging with businesses.
For marketers, this means reaching more than half of the country’s population by sharing relevant content tailored to specific audiences.
In fact, ads on Facebook hit their mark about 61.3% of the time, especially for users aged 13 and older.
Singapore’s digital economy is booming, and Instagram is emerging as a powerful platform for e-commerce.
Businesses, especially in cosmetics and clothing, are leveraging Instagram to showcase and promote their products.
In addition to its traditional use for personal sharing, Instagram has transformed into a social commerce platform.
In Singapore’s current social media landscape, shopping has become intertwined with leisure time.
As social commerce grows, there’s a chance to engage with customers by creating captivating content related to products.
Over the past year, there’s been a substantial 56.7% increase in web traffic referrals from other sites to Instagram, making it the leader in generating traffic from external sources.
Brands have seized the opportunity to use Instagram as a platform for selling their products to consumers.
Social Media Channels Popularity Ranking:
- Facebook – 49.36%
- Twitter – 17.13%
- Instagram – 15.47%
- Pinterest – 7.42%
- YouTube – 5.64%
- Reddit 2.96%
2023’s Most Popular Social Media Apps and Platforms in China
Social media has brought about significant changes in how people connect, particularly in China.
As of January 2023, China leads the world in social media users, boasting approximately 983.3 million individuals.
This surge in social media has been most notable with the rise of platforms like WeChat, QQ, and Sina Weibo.
A standout among them is Douyin, a trending tool allowing users to craft short videos, often accompanied by music, which has been embraced by 70.20% of users (around 716.04 million) in China.
Douyin, akin to China’s version of TikTok, has taken the top spot in terms of popularity. Many of China’s social networks face limitations, including TikTok.
Consequently, international content is inaccessible within China due to these restrictions.
Following Douyin’s lead, Baidu Tieba ranks second, engaging 57.00% of social media users in China.
Baidu Tieba, managed by the Chinese web services firm Baidu, is a widely-used communication platform.
It was established on December 3, 2003, and it heavily utilizes Baidu’s search engine capabilities.
Sina Weibo, the Chinese microblogging platform (with a user penetration of 50.70%), along with Xiaohongshu, often referred to as China’s counterpart to Instagram, garnered around 174 million monthly active users in China as of March 2023 (with a user penetration of 47.90%).
These platforms also enjoy significant popularity within China.
They are followed by Kuaishou (45.70% user penetration), a mobile app for sharing videos.
Qzone, a blogging platform, enjoys 34.40% penetration.
Meipai, which provides a safe space for women to share their lives via videos, has a 28.00% penetration rate.
Lastly, there’s Douyin Huoshan with a penetration rate of 23.60%.
Social Media Platform & Forum Popularity Ranking:
- Tencent QQ | 腾讯QQ (Téngxùn QQ)
- WeChat | 微信 (Wēixìn)
- Sina Weibo | 新浪微博 (Xīnlàng Wēibó)
- DouYin | 抖音 (Dǒuyīn)
- Zhihu | 知乎 (zhī hū)
- Honor of Kings
- Little Red Book | 小红书 (xiǎo hóng shū)
- Bilibili | 哔哩哔哩 (bīlī bīlī)
- Meituan | 美团 (Mĕituán)
- Tou tiao | 今日头条 (Jīn rì tou tiáo)
Final Takeaways
In today’s well connected world, staying informed about the trends and statistics of social media apps and platforms can significantly improve your online presence.
No matter where you run your business, tapping into the power of social media to attract social media users is important.
Bear in mind that it’s not just about being on every platform; it’s about choosing the right ones that match your brand and speak to your audience.
We hope this article aids you in making smart choices, building genuine connections, and driving your social media efforts to success.
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