The 10 Best Social Media Platforms to Boost Your Business in 2025

Plus, a few platforms you probably haven’t considered

Hudson Rennie
ILLUMINATION
Published in
8 min readDec 5, 2024

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The best social media platforms for business in 2025
Image created by the author (using canva.com)

If you want to start an online business, one thing is for certain.

You must be on social media.

Here are the best social media platforms to boost your business in 2025. Regardless of your niche, experience level, or skillset.

Numbers don’t always tell the whole story.

If there’s anything I’ve learned over the years, it’s this:

Numbers don’t lie.

We all have natural proclivities towards habits we enjoy. And, the same goes for our marketing strategies.

For example, you may want to use Instagram to promote your blog because… well, you like Instagram. But, if your target audience doesn’t reside on the platform, your efforts will be largely wasted.

If your goal is to create a profitable business, you need to remain objective. And, meeting your audience where it is, is paramount in converting clicks to customers.

WordStream has made a great visual breaking down how to best utilize some of the major social media platforms:

Social media chart by WordStream.
Image via wordstream.com

But, this chart doesn’t tell the whole story.

Here’s an in-depth look at the user statistics from every major social media platform. Plus, a few more you may not have considered.

The 10 best social media platforms.

Today, there are endless ways to start an online business.

And, just as many to promote it.

But, it can be difficult to know exactly which platform is right for you. So, I’ve compiled a list of the most usable data:

  • Monthly visitsto assess potential traffic
  • Social media crossoverto leverage multiple platforms
  • Demographic metrics to gain deeper insight into where your specific content will perform best

Plus, some key metrics to begin shaping your social media strategy…

1. Facebook

👉 The analytics below showcase a 90-day average (sourced by Similar Web).

Facebook logo
Image via facebook.com

Although Facebook is most known as the boomer platform, its user base is still primarily millennials. And, has tons of potential for reaching customers in just about any niche.

Average monthly visits: 12.5 billion

Visit duration: 10:55 (minutes)

Top country: United States

Top age demographic: 25–34

Top traffic source: direct search

Top referring social platforms: YouTube, Instagram

Reader interests (by keyword): adult content, video games, shopping, software

2. YouTube

YouTube logo
Image via youtube.com

YouTube is thought of as merely a video-sharing platform. But, it’s become one of the biggest search engines in the world — second only to Google.

Average monthly visits: 28.8 billion

Visit duration: 20:05 (minutes)

Top country: United States

Top age demographic: 25–34

Top traffic source: direct search

Top referring social platforms: Facebook, Reddit, Twitter

Reader interests (by keyword): video games, community, adult content, shopping

3. Instagram

Instagram logo.
Image via instagram.com

As a subsidiary of Facebook, Instagram is one of the most powerful promotional tools on the market — especially for online shopping.

And, with the boom of short-form content, Instagram Reels have become a great place to share videos alongside Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube.

Average monthly visits: 5.8 billion

Visit duration: 8:37 (minutes)

Top country: United States

Top age demographic: 25–34

Top traffic source: direct search

Top referring social platforms: Facebook, YouTube

Reader interests (by keyword): shopping, adult content, software, video games

4. Twitter/X

Twitter logo.
Image via x.com

“X” (formerly Twitter) is another traffic powerhouse, especially if you make content on controversial topics.

Since Elon Musk purchased Twitter, in 2022, he’s been advocating for free speech. And, has implemented features such as Community Notes to promote transparency and open discussion.

Average monthly visits: 4.5 billion

Visit duration: 12:16 (minutes)

Top country: United States

Top age demographic: 18–34

Top traffic source: direct search*

Top referring social platforms: YouTube, Reddit

Reader interests (by keyword): news & media, adult content, video games, software

Note: although Twitter’s main traffic source is direct, organic is a close second.*

5. LinkedIn

LinkedIn logo.
Image via linkedin.com

In the past, LinkedIn was known as a professional networking website. And, while you still can find jobs and network with like-minded professionals on the platform, it’s become a hub for blogging.

Many users grow entire audiences on LinkedIn and use it as a marketing tool to either source clients or sell digital products/online courses.

Average monthly visits: 1.7 billion

Visit duration: 8:17 (minutes)

Top country: United States

Top age demographic: 25–34

Top traffic source: direct search

Top referring social platforms: YouTube, Facebook

Reader interests (by keyword): shopping, travel, blogging, business

LinkedIn also acts as a great hub for finding freelance talent. Although, to ensure quality, it’s always best to go through a reputable freelance website like Fiverr.

👉 Fiverr Pro, in particular, is one of the best places to find trusted talent in any niche. Use code ‘HUDSON’ at checkout to save 10% on your first or next order (affiliate disclaimer).

6. TikTok

TikTok logo.
Image via tiktok.com

TikTok has taken over social media in recent years due to its vast discoverability. It’s become an all-in-one business tool to not only grow an audience but monetize it as well.

TikTok Shop makes it easy to convert views into sales. And, its creator program has made it the go-to choice for many budding creators.

Average monthly visits: 2.2 billion

Visit duration: 3:48 (minutes)

Top country: Brazil

Top age demographic: 25–34

Top traffic source: direct search*

Top referring social platforms: Facebook, YouTube

Reader interests (by keyword): shopping, software, video games, adult content

Note: although TikTok’s largest traffic source comes from direct search, organic search is a close second.*

7. Snapchat

Snapchat logo.
Image via snapchat.com

Yes, you read that right. Snapchat for business. Although Snapchat is marketed as a way for young people to stay connected, it’s a powerful business tool as well.

Many businesses use Snapchat as a blogging tool, offering behind-the-scenes content and special offers. Creators can share shopping links and promote stories through Snapchat Ads.

Average monthly visits: 122 million

Visit duration: 8:12 (minutes)

Top country: United States

Top age demographic: 18–34

Top traffic source: direct search

Top referring social platforms: YouTube, Instagram, Facebook

Reader interests (by keyword): shopping, education, video games, university

8. WhatsApp

WhatsApp logo
Image via whatsapp.com

WhatsApp is a little-known business tool. Although it doesn’t have organic discoverability, you can create and join communities to garner a closer connection with your audience.

Its encrypted messaging makes it a go-to tool for international business. And, you can create automated messages to communicate more efficiently.

Average monthly visits: 4.5 billion

Visit duration: 15:16 (minutes)

Top country: Brazil

Top age demographic: 25–34

Top traffic source: direct search

Top referring social platforms: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram

Reader interests (by keyword): video games, software, shopping, adult content

9. Pinterest

Pinterest logo.
Image created by the author (using canva.com)

Pinterest was once touted as the blogging partner — with many successful WordPress bloggers using it as a free alternative to Google or Facebook ads.

And, while it’s still a great tool for garnering organic views, it’s expanded to reach just about every niche on the internet. By creating pins, you can direct traffic to your blog, websites, or social media profiles.

Average monthly visits: 1.1 billion

Visit duration: 7:19 (minutes)

Top country: United States

Top age demographic: 18–34

Top traffic source: direct search

Top referring social platforms: YouTube, Facebook

Reader interests (by keyword): shopping, software, design, blog

10. Reddit

Reddit logo.
Image via reddit.com

Reddit is another little-known business tool with huge potential. Being a forum-based website, Reddit threads rank very highly on Google due to their high search authority.

Leveraging forums, either through posing or answering questions, has become a tried-and-true marketing method for businesses across all niches.

Average monthly visits: 3.5 billion

Visit duration: 6:05 (minutes)

Top country: United States

Top age demographic: 18–34

Top traffic source: organic search

Top referring social platforms: YouTube

Reader interests (by keyword): shopping, video games, software, business

What to do with this data.

If you’re not a huge numbers person (like me), a lot of this information may feel valuable.

But, you have no idea what to do with it.

For starters, it’s always best to understand where your strengths lie. And, by proxy, the areas where you may need support.

For example, if you don’t enjoy social media marketing, your efforts are better spent elsewhere. This is where freelance marketplaces, such as Fiverr, come in really handy.

By hiring talented freelancers, you can focus your time where it will yield the best results:

  • If your forte is website design, let a marketing expert handle the social media marketing
  • If you’re an advertising wizz, but feel graphic-designedly challenged, hire a design specialist to bring your brand to life.

And, if you’re not sure if your strategy will even work, it can be extremely helpful to book a consultation with a business strategist.

👉 Whichever area of your business needs buoying, Fiverr is a great place to start. Use code ‘HUDSON’ at checkout to save 10% on your first or next order (affiliate disclaimer).

Play to your strengths — outsource your weaknesses.

Bonus: 5 platforms you may not have considered.

I couldn’t bring myself to add any of the following platforms to my top-10 list because they’re either:

  • Very new
  • Very niche

But, these 5 platforms have great potential to boost your business as well…

1. Mastodon:

  • Average monthly visits: 2 million
  • Visit duration: 3:36 (minutes)

2. Threads:

  • Average monthly visits: 136 million
  • Visit duration: 4:08 (minutes)

3. Bluesky:

  • Average monthly visits: 54 million
  • Visit duration: 10:25 (minutes)

4. Twitch:

  • Average monthly visits: 1.1 billion
  • Visit duration: 8:51 (minutes)

5. Discord:

  • Average monthly visits: 560 million
  • Visit duration: 12:32 (minutes)

Final thoughts: best of luck!

Like anything in life, the right path is often only revealed after many wrong turns. So, my final advice is this:

Get started now.

With so many great tools at your disposal, there has never been a better time to start a business.

It all comes down to… well, getting started.

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ILLUMINATION
ILLUMINATION

Published in ILLUMINATION

We curate and disseminate outstanding articles from diverse domains and disciplines to create fusion and synergy.

Hudson Rennie
Hudson Rennie

Written by Hudson Rennie

I write about all sorts of things. I hope you fall in love with my words. 🙋‍♂️🪴 Watch me on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hudsonrenniewrites

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