YouTube and Facebook remain dominant as new Pew data shows shifts in U.S. social media use

New research from Pew Research Center outlines how Americans are using social platforms in 2025, with YouTube and Facebook continuing to hold the largest share of adult users while other apps see steady growth.

According to the survey of more than 5,000 U.S. adults, 84% report ever using YouTube, keeping it at the top of the social media landscape. Facebook follows at 71%, maintaining broad reach across demographic groups despite stagnating growth in recent years. Instagram, now used by 50% of adults, is the only other platform to reach at least half of the population.

A range of mid-tier platforms trail behind, including TikTok (37%), WhatsApp (32%), Reddit (26%), Snapchat (25%), and X (21%). Newer entrants such as Threads (6%), Bluesky (4%), and Truth Social (3%) remain niche.

Several platforms have expanded sharply since 2021. TikTok has climbed from 21% to 37% usage, while Instagram rose from 40% to 50% over the same period. WhatsApp and Reddit also posted increases, signaling growing adoption across communication and community-based apps.

Demographics continue to shape platform preferences. Women are more likely than men to use Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, while men report higher usage of Reddit and X. Usage also varies across racial and ethnic groups: 45% of white adults use Instagram compared with 62% of Hispanic, 58% of Asian, and 54% of Black adults.

Education is another dividing line. Adults with college degrees are more likely to use platforms such as Reddit and WhatsApp, whereas TikTok attracts higher engagement from users with some college or less.

Political affiliation also plays a role. Democrats report higher usage of WhatsApp, TikTok, Reddit, Bluesky, and Threads, while Republicans slightly outpace Democrats on X and maintain higher adoption of Truth Social.

Daily usage paints a similar picture of platform disparity. Roughly half of adults visit Facebook and YouTube at least once a day, making them the only platforms with widespread daily participation. TikTok draws daily use from 24% of adults, while 10% say they check X daily.

Age differences are significant: nearly half of adults ages 18–29 use TikTok daily, compared with 5% of those 65 and older. Daily YouTube use is also highest among the youngest adults. Facebook sees its strongest daily engagement among those ages 30–64.