In the world of social media platforms, there comes and goes a different platform, unique in some way, to attract people with different tastes and preferences. The past years have been the rise and fall of giants, the emergence of niche networks, and the shifting of user preferences. But so far, up to 2024, which one of these platforms is in the lead? Let’s explore the leaders gaining steam and what’s making them so attractive.
The Rise of TikTok: More than Just Short Videos
The social media application that is on the rise nowadays has to be TikTok. What was initially an easy platform for short entertaining videos has become a big cultural phenomenon in a short span of time. With over 1 billion active users globally, TikTok is only expanding its reach to a larger audience, targeting Gen Z, Millennials, brands, and influencers.
Why is TikTok rising?
Short-Form Content: This is yet another feature in the age where attention spans have shrunk so much that any content is good for at least 15 to 60 seconds of viewing. Not to mention how the algorithm predicts what to show so that users may like what they are shown.
Creator-Driven Platform: TikTok provides creators with easy access to edit, AR effects, and sound libraries. This makes creators express themselves in ways they are not capable of doing on other platforms. This was a feature that attracted influencers and content creators from YouTube and Instagram.
Monetization: TikTok has been aggressive in monetizing its content creators through the TikTok Creator Fund, brand partnerships, and live streaming where users can send gifts. The economic model is key in its rapid rise as the dominant social media platform.
Despite the ban threats of regulatory bodies and competition with YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels, TikTok is on the rise and shows no signs of slowing down.
Threads: The Twitter Killer from Meta
Another social media app that is in the hype is Threads, a text-based microblogging application developed by Meta, Facebook’s parent company. It is a new release resulting from Elon Musk’s alleged disputed acquisition of Twitter-now rebranded as X-designed to replace and take any user’s space to securely have meaningful textings.
What drives the increase of Threads?
Familiarity with Instagram: Threads is directly tied to Instagram, the world’s largest social network. This means you sign up and automatically follow every person you follow on Instagram, making it seamless for those looking for an alternative to Twitter.
Text-Based Engagement: Unlike other social media platforms where images, videos, and short-form content are focused, Threads returns to focusing on text-based communication-a feature that will make it uniquely sellable in the ever-evolving social media. Debates, opinions, and discussions are possible through the platform without the overwhelming need for visual content.
Safe Space for Discourse: Threads markets as a healthy space for dialogue without the toxicity that others have on them. Therefore, it has stricter policy moderation to create a nice environment for public discourse.
But at the moment, it’s still too early to say if Threads is here to supplant X or even other microblogging apps, connecting to Instagram right away puts this application over the rest of its contenders and makes it sit comfortably on the list of upwardly mobile social media of 2024.
BeReal: Establishing Authenticity in an Edited World
In a world where everything is curated BeReal is just one refreshingly honest piece of breathe, a name for what may be France’s fresh answer to social media through this platform which encourages being you, raw photos when they are posted at random. The daily prompt will just send you reminding you about whatever you’re doing.
What makes Be Real special?
No filters, no pressure: this is the antithesis to what Instagram has come to offer – a rather polished, sleek aesthetic. Users post pictures in-the-moment, which lends to the very organic and spontaneous social experience. This no-filtering has really clicked with the Gen Z audience, as it is this generation which thrives in a pool of perfectionism.
In that sense, Be Real avoids this by keeping things ridiculously simple and straightforward. Unlike those people who have too many features or functions, public likes, comments, followers and the rest, which actually enables closer-to-face yet pressure-free interaction from your close friends.
Authenticity as a Trend: As the public begins to realize the mental health implications of social media, people start craving authenticity. It makes Be Real one of the trending social media of 2024.
Yet despite having less active users than TikTok and Instagram, its emphasis on realism and minimalism places it as a growing powerhouse – especially among those looking to an alternative to these curatorial networks.
Discord: From gamers to global communities
From its origins as an application for gaming communication to a social media network of extensive interests, users can easily and quickly create private or public servers for any interest or hobby or professional need on Discord.
Why is it on the rise?
Community Building: Discord thrives on community-first. It’s not like other platforms where there is a niche social media site where users hang around with their personal profile or public feeds. Discord has niche communities-specific topics in the servers dedicated to such topics, be that gaming, tech, music, or education.
Privacy and Control: Users have complete control over the servers they own, and thus, establish rules and guidelines for moderation. This reason made Discord especially appealing to privacy-seeking individuals looking for a highly customized social media platform.
Versatility: This is one of the features that has enabled Discord to expand its usage to other communities outside just gaming. It made it possible for educators to create virtual classrooms, companies to host remote meetings, and even friends to host events because of its vast features, including voice chats, video calls, and file sharing.
With its versatility and ability to build strong community ties, one of the emerging social media platforms to watch, not just in the gaming realm, is Discord.
The social media space is always evolving, and newer platforms keep popping up as new avenues for connecting, sharing, and self-expression. Among the rising social media platforms in 2024 are TikTok, Threads, BeReal, and Discord, each unique in its own right as it takes its own position in the industry.
Short-form content and friendliness towards creators have made TikTok the global powerhouse.
Threads relies on text conversations to fill the gap left by Twitter, ensuring a safe space that is familiar.
Be Real is the authentic, simple champion, refreshing its users from curated feeds.
Discord remains true to its core, building robust community tools to expand past gaming.
As these platforms rise, the future of social media promises to be even more diverse and dynamic, catering to different user needs and preferences. Whether you are a content creator, a casual user, or a community builder, there is sure to be a social media platform out there for everyone.
FAQS: Which Social Media Platform is Rising?
Which social media platform is gaining the most users currently?
TikTok is growing fast and particularly popular with the youth. The emergence of Instagram is also partly due to Reels, and LinkedIn has gained acceptance among professionals.
Why is it said that TikTok is the fastest-growing social media?
The short, entertaining videos, the algorithm personalized to every user, and its reach across the globe attracted millions of new users and placed it on the fast-growth track.
Is Instagram still growing, or is it on the decline?
Instagram is still constantly growing, especially with new addition features like Stories and Reels, which gives this platform a competitive advantage of platforms like TikTok.
Are newer platforms such as Threads and Be Real being adopted?
Yes, some people are paying attention and looking for more authentic niche experiences, but compared with giants like Instagram or TikTok, they are at least in the early stages.
Should I play here or stay on the classic?
It depends on your audience. TikTok and Instagram are a must for targeting the younger demographics, while LinkedIn or newer applications may actually be better suited for niche or professional audiences.