How Many People Use Social Media? Find Your Audience

If your business or organization isn’t using social media, it is likely that you are missing out on a crucial way to reach the people who are looking for your to be active where they are. When Pew Research Center began tracking social media adoption in 2005, just 5% of American adults used at least one of these platforms. By 2011 that share had risen to half of all Americans, and today 72% of the public uses some type of social media.

Who uses social media?

Social media is used by the broader population, as younger people have carried the torch in usage. However, in the later years, older adults have been reported to engage in social media.

What platforms are most common?

YouTube and Facebook, followed by Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Who uses each platform?

This is really important to know. Why? So you aren’t wasting your resources on a platform where your audience isn’t. Check out the diagrams below:

If you would like to see the infographics for other networks like TikTok and Pinterest, click the link below.

Data Source: Pew Research Center