Social media has become an undeniable force in our lives, weaving itself into the fabric of our daily routines. A recent study by Mailsuite delves into the ever-evolving landscape of these online communities, revealing which platforms are currently capturing hearts (and causing headaches) around the world.
The undisputed champion in this popularity contest is TikTok. This Chinese-owned app reigns supreme in 30 countries, including the UK, Canada, and Vietnam. Its short-form video format, known for its viral trends and catchy challenges, has captivated users worldwide.
Interestingly, France and the United States have a different favorite: BeReal. This platform emphasizes authenticity and unfiltered moments, a stark contrast to the often-polished world of TikTok.
Established giants like Instagram and Facebook, despite their global presence, haven’t maintained the top spot. While these platforms hold some sway in Latin America and Asia (appreciated in 21 countries), they’ve garnered significant dislike in 43 others.
Facebook holds the dubious honor of being the most disliked network in 39 countries, including Egypt and Italy. Users might find its interface cluttered or its newsfeed algorithm frustrating. Instagram fares slightly better, but still tops the “most hated” list in places like Jordan and Chile.
Perhaps the pressure to curate a perfect online persona or the constant bombardment of influencer ads contributes to this negativity.
However, when it comes to sheer negativity, Reddit takes the silver medal. This discussion-based platform, known for its diverse communities and often-unfiltered content, seems to rub users the wrong way in 30 countries, particularly in Europe (France and Spain) and North America.
The anonymity offered by Reddit can sometimes lead to heated discussions and negativity, which might explain its lower user ratings in these regions.
The Research Behind the Rankings
The study employed a data-driven approach to determine the most and least loved social media apps. Researchers at Mailsuite compiled a list of the top communication and social networking apps in each country using SimilarWeb, a digital market intelligence platform.
They then retrieved the corresponding user ratings from the Google Play Store. This analysis, conducted in June 2024, provides a valuable snapshot of current user sentiment towards various platforms.
By analyzing these ratings across the globe, the study sheds light on the evolving preferences of social media users and the factors that influence their love or hate for these online communities.
