It's your choice to love it or hate it Social media is vital for both consumers and marketers alike.

When lockdowns forced people to stay inside and on the internet in 2020, people began to realize how vital it was to have an online social network that is sustainable.

And brands? They wouldn't be able to survive without social media and a comprehensive digital strategy.

Unsurprisingly, 72% of people have reported growing their social media use during the COVID-19 pandemic.

They're not just scrolling mindlessly or swiping their phones.

43% of them say they're posting and sharing more of their own content to stay connected with their friends and family without doubt.

It's no surprise that social media is important. That's not the question.

The challenge is the decision of which social media applications to utilize to determine where you should devote the bulk of your energy and time.

Let's go over the top social media apps of 2021 to help you decide on the best place to put your efforts.

What are the Most Popular Social Media Apps for 2021? Top Apps, Trending, and Rising Stars

Follow me here. The first three are big-name stars you recognise but we wouldn't be able to complete it without the others!

Keep scrolling though, and you'll find some surprising selections and rising stars.

1. Facebook

With more than 2.7 billion users who are monthly active (MAUs), Facebook is an absolute must for every company. Remember that the younger generation is avoiding from Facebook to use other platforms like TikTok and Instagram so you should always take into consideration your target audience.

2. Instagram

Instagram is another important platform to be considered for 2021. As one of the most used social media apps, Instagram boasts 1.2 billion MAUs. Fresh features like Instagram Reels show that the app has lots of expanding and growing to accomplish.

3. Twitter

In truth, Twitter isn't the best-performing platform. Tweets have a very short duration. If you're not working in news media or the media business, it's tough to keep up with. However, there's one area where Twitter excels: customer support. It's typically the first point of contact for customers who require immediate assistance.

4. TikTok

TikTok has over 700 million MAUs across the globe and still has space for growth. The potential for rapid organic reach is simply too attractive to ignore for companies as well as users. Plus, the videos are simply fun. Can't argue that!

 

5. YouTube

YouTube is actually more of a search engine rather than it is a social media platform in the moment - and it's the second biggest search engine globally. YouTube's SEO-friendly tags descriptions, queues as well as titles, make YouTube a suitable platform for companies with the right strategy.

YouTube

6. WeChat

If you're like most people, you think of WeChat as an app for messaging rather and not a leading social media platform however, that has changed over time. Nowadays, WeChat is an all-in-one social network that is similar to Facebook. And as more Facebook users become frustrated by the app, you can expect WeChat to increase its user base.

7. WhatsApp

WhatsApp's groups, Stories and feeds that are page-style makes it a popular platform for companies. But there's one issue. WhatsApp does not meet the standards of other top social media applications in terms of security and with Zuckerberg in charge do not expect this to change.

8. MeWe

MeWe is frequently compared with anti-vaxxers and conspiracy theorists however, it has also begun to gain ground with people simply fed up with Facebook. Plus, MeWe recently went through a pivot as a privacy-centric business platform . It's certainly definitely worth taking a look.

9. Tumblr

Tumblr's active users have, however, fallen over the last two years, after the social media app initiated some content restrictions. It's worth mentioning the fact that Tumblr is more appealing to younger audiences and fans of niches.

10. Reddit

Don't underestimate Reddit! Anonymous posting and hyper-specific communities are what make Reddit an one of the best social media apps for researching and monitoring your target audience. Make sure you don't share promotional content here unless you've an exclusive subreddit for your brand. It's possible to be banned elsewhere.

11. LinkedIn

With B2B audiences surging online and millions of people in need of work, LinkedIn use skyrocketed during the pandemic. Microsoft says that LinkedIn revenues increased by 21%. The company-friendly platform has added more user-friendly features like Stories.

12. Snapchat

Snapchat is still a major player among the popular social media apps, even as a growing number of younger users have moved to TikTok. But Snapchat has begun to lose its cool factor actually is a strength these days as B2Bs are now flocking to the platform. Snapchat's MAUs are actually up to an astounding 18% this year.

13. Pinterest

Pinterest has made great efforts to create a welcoming environment for brands that has large product pins, shopping features, and appealing ads. It's also easy to increase organic reach and traffic through Pinterest when you're able to create engaging content.

14. Telegram

Telegram is a better and safe alternative to WhatsApp. The messaging social media application continually improves its features for brand pages too, offering feeds and group functions. In addition, it allows you to transfer large files as well as take advantage of other tools not found on other apps.

15. Meetup

There is a good chance that platforms like Meetup to rise in popularity as users seek out new social networks and communities IRL following the end of pandemic restrictions down. With plenty of hook-ups and dating social media sites available, Meetup offers one of the few platonic options that are based on interest.

16. Medium

Medium: a place in which you are able to really drift off. It's not an phrase used by the company, but it's the idea. Brands and users alike visit Medium to share their thought about leadership ideas, inner thoughts and other thoughts they feel the world ought to listen to. Plus, it's easy to improve the quality of your Medium posts and bring visitors to your website.

17. Twitter Live

Periscope was a dead app. Twitter Live is alive. That's right. Twitter will be removing Periscope beginning in March 2021 to make way for it's very own video Media Studio and live streaming application. If you relied on Periscope you should now take the moment to get familiar with twitter's own features.

18. Twitch

A lot of people think of Twitch with games, but it's really more of an all-around live streaming app for content creators. If your content doesn't work to Twitch it's a good idea to take a look to discover your audience's interests.

19. Discord

For those who aren't aware, Discord is like a consumer version of Slack. It's a one-stop messaging tool for groups friends, themes and other things. Brands can make use of Discord in a similar way like Reddit: Create your personal Discord server and share insider information with your VIP group of followers.

20. Steemit

Steemit is a popular platform for independent creators because it pays creators in cryptocurrency according to their engagement. It is akin to Reddit's method of either upvoting or de-voting content, but goes one step further with the addition of incentives.

21. VK

While its MAUs do not compete with Facebook however, Russian-based VK has a loyal fan base particularly among those who were removed from Facebook either on temporary bans or for indefinitely. Expect VK to grow in certain segments as more people get dissatisfied with Facebook's policies.

22. Quora

As with Reddit It's not a friendly place for promotional content. You must instead be discreet about it. Concentrate on bringing value to conversations , while also improving your personal bios.

23. Vimeo

The possibilities for platforms like Vimeo to grow in popularity as demand for video content continues to grow. Vimeo doesn't offer the same amount of editing tools like YouTube however it does offer better alternatives for premium streaming and is ideal for classes that are on-demand and similar products.

24. Zoom

How could we create a list of top social media apps for 2021 without including Zoom? Nope, it's not just for meetings. Top podcasters and content creators are also using Zoom instead of gathering in person.

25. Parler

Okay, I must admit that I'm not recommending you utilize Parler to conduct business. This isn't just because it's only for outcasts of the far right however, it's a clear FBI honeypot. I had to at least be aware of it because the number of downloads has increased. If interest in Parler diminishes, I'm sure something else will follow.

26. Houseparty

Houseparty is a more accessible Version of Zoom. This top social media platform for 2021 also has a partnership with Fortnite to allow video chats during gameplay. It will be interesting to observe how this feature develops in 2021 , and possibly beyond.

27. TapeReal

was previously known as TapeBook, TapeReal is a combination of consumer-style podcasting and Instagram Reels, and TikTok. The hashtags, along with additional features makes it effective for companies of 2021. With TapeReal, there's a big emphasis on "journeys" to centralise content streams related to addiction recovery, fitness programming, startup development, and anything you can imagine.

Top Social Media Apps for 2021: Pick Your Fighter

Picking the top social media apps is always an opportunity to bet. What your followers are consuming today might cause you to be left behind tomorrow.

It is crucial to devise a flexible strategy that lets you pivot according to where your customers are and what kind of content will work best on your platform.

In terms of content, relevance is crucial. You can stand out among a lot of other brands by simply reading the right content and not trying to look cool or trendy. It's just not the best look.