Just how many Social Media platforms are there out there?

Do you sometimes wonder just how many social media platforms there are out there? We at the Shipping News do every time we miss a message that comes in on a platform we rarely use and don’t see until much later! Our research suggests there are easily 300+ platforms globally, with many smaller or niche platforms serving specific needs. If you include legacy platforms no longer in use (like MySpace and Orkut), the number grows even more. The exact count is fluid as platforms launch and disappear frequently. And we didn’t even include Truth Social!

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines social media (noun, plural in form but singular or plural in construction) as: forms of electronic communication (such as websites for social networking and microblogging) through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content (such as videos).

On that definition they probably don’t include direct messaging apps on your smart phones whereby you can send a text message just to a person or group of people. So, we have chosen not to include those forms of messaging here. WhatsApp makes the grade though.

However you look at them, the number of social media and messaging sites is vast and constantly growing, as platforms emerge, evolve, or shut down. As of the end of 2024, there are hundreds of platforms worldwide, ranging from globally dominant ones to niche, region-specific networks. Here’s a breakdown of categories with some notable examples.

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1. Mainstream Social Media Platforms
• Facebook
• Instagram
• X (formerly Twitter)
• TikTok
• LinkedIn
• Reddit
• Pinterest
• Snapchat
• YouTube

2. Emerging or Alternative Social Media
• Bluesky
• Mastodon
• Threads
• Hive Social
• BeReal

3. Messaging Platforms
• WhatsApp
• Facebook Messenger
• Telegram
• Signal
• Discord
• WeChat
• Line
• Viber

4. Region-Specific Platforms
• China: Weibo, Douyin, QQ
• Russia: VKontakte (VK), Odnoklassniki
• Japan: Mixi, Line
• South Korea: KakaoTalk, Cyworld
• India: Moj, ShareChat

5. File-Sharing and Communication Platforms
• Mega
• Dropbox (social collaboration aspects)
• Slack
• Microsoft Teams

6. Niche or Topic-Specific Platforms
• Twitch (streaming and gaming communities)
• DeviantArt (art-focused)
• Goodreads (book lovers)
• Strava (fitness)
• Meetup (events)

Do let’s know what we’ve missed, apart from Truth Social, as well as the ones you use most.

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