Best Social Media Apps for Adults in 2024

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At MobileAppDaily, we aim to bring the top product listicles with the help of our team of experts to your disposal. Each of the entries in our listicle undergoes a series of tests. Tests that talk about critical aspects like range of features, scalability, privacy, security, credibility in the market, and a lot more. Through stringent testing, we ensure that you get the most precise and tailored recommendations from our side, be it social networking apps or any other tech product.

How We Created the List of Best Social Media Apps?

Creating this list was slightly tricky for us, as we needed to ensure that our list consolidated options for you both from a business and a personal usage perspective. So, to achieve this, we followed a series of steps that helped us come up with credible options. So, here are the steps:

1. Research

To figure out the initial entries of the list, we went through a series of sources. For instance:

• Our analytics tool that provided us information like engagement and demographic on different platforms.
• We consulted our team to tell us about the platforms used by them in the past.
• We connected with some of the clients in the marketing domain.
• We analyzed online forums and communities like Reddit, Quora, etc.
• We checked out Google Play Store and Apple App Store for social media apps.

Each of these factors helped us come up with our early-list which consisted of too many tools for us to comprehend, in terms of reviewing. So, our next task was to shorten this list further to provide only the top 30 social media sites.

2. User Reviews & Ratings

Gladly, since we were creating this listicle, the majority of the applications were available on both Google Play Store and Apple App Store. From there, all the apps that weren’t able to make our list were not on these platforms, and were instantly rejected.

Once that list was shortlisted, we began to check the overall ratings as well as the user reviews provided in the comment. Our intent was not only to check positive reviews but also focus on the negative ones. This helped us further shorten the list. 

3. Testing & Finalizing

This was the final step in our arsenal but the most difficult one too. Here our task was to understand the experience of an application, features, and overall capability to cater to a particular type of users. The reason was to help our users find better places to connect with people as well as from the perspective of marketing.

We began testing our list of 56 applications from all over the place and started to test them by distributing them amongst the team members. There were some obvious choices like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, etc. And then we explored options like Sina Weibo, VSCO, Nextdoor, etc., which were known to us but not in terms of usage.

Based on all this, we created a final list of 30 social media platforms that we have presented to you.

Comparing the 5 Top Social Media Apps Globally

While working to shortlist the top 5 most popular social media apps, I had plenty of contenders in my mind, based on metrics like features, monthly active users, total user base, etc. However, in hindsight, I knew top social media apps for adults like Facebook, TikTok, WhatsApp, X, and Instagram, are adequate options that cover the major demographic and all the essential features, based on our current audience’s point of view. 

So, we created a comparison table of these options to help you decide your first or maybe next social media platform to adopt.

Each of the best social media platforms mentioned above has carved out its niche. They are catering to specific user needs and preferences. Therefore, including a particular app or not doesn’t impact the quality of others. This means that aside from these top apps, several others can be of much better use to you.

Benefits of Social Media for Marketing Business

Social media has transformed the economy and become crucial for businesses who are trying to boost brand awareness. So, here is an extended overview of the benefits associated with social media for corporate marketing, which are as follows:

1. Enhanced Brand Recognition

Social media marketing gives businesses access to a huge audience, increasing brand recognition, and visibility. By consistently using social media marketing strategies, and producing helpful content, businesses can expand their audience and bring in new clients.

2. Target Advertising

Social media-targeted advertising apps offer sophisticated targeting features that let companies target particular demographics, interests, and behaviors. This guarantees that marketing initiatives are focused on the most pertinent audience, maximizing ROI.

3. Improved Customer Engagement

Social media encourages two-way communication so businesses may directly engage with customers via comments, messages, and conversations. This tailored strategy promotes brand loyalty and the growth of solid customer connections.

4. Cost-Effective Marketing

If compared to traditional advertising, social media marketing is frequently less expensive. Profile creation is normally free, and sponsored advertising options are flexible, appealing to a wide range of budgets. 

5. Important Market Insights

Social media provides insightful information about customer preferences, opinions, and behavior. These businesses tailor their product offerings and marketing strategies in order to meet the needs of their customers by analyzing this data.

6. Promote Events and Content

In order to reach a much wider audience and create substantial leads, social media channels are a great location to advertise blog posts, webinars, product launches, and events.

7. Customer Testimonials and Reactions

Multiple times customers share their experiences on social media, and if they are providing positive reviews and testimonials that may sway potential customers.

8. Viral Marketing Potential

Create engaging and shareable content because it has a lot more potential to become viral, reaching a massive audience in a short period and greatly amplifying a brand's message.

How Can You Use Social Media Apps for Your Business and Career?

Social media can improve your career and business significantly. Here are some practical methods to the list of social apps for adults we provided for professional development and company success:

1. Create a Professional Profile

Create and enhance your social media profiles to showcase your qualifications and accomplishments. Use a professional photo, write a compelling bio, and highlight your accomplishments.

2. Relationship and Network Building

Connect with industry peers, potential clients, and partners by using social networking apps. Participate in pertinent groups or communities, have discussions there, and disseminate vital information. The best way to learn is to see how LinkedIn, VSCO, and Spotify promote the apps and grow networks. 

3. Content Marketing

Disseminating high-quality, informative, and amusing content about your industry or specialty is a component of content marketing. Provide value to your audience consistently, and share how to market their apps on social media to establish yourself as a thought leader and generate a loyal following.

4. Personal Branding

Start with personal branding that aligns with your professional and business goals. Highlight your unique skills and strengths to set yourself out from the competitors.

5. Web-Based Portfolio

Showcase your work, projects, or portfolio on networking apps for social media such as LinkedIn or Instagram. This is particularly beneficial for creative professionals, freelancers, and entrepreneurs.

6. Job Search and Recruitment

To find job positions, communicate with recruiters, and keep up with market trends and openings, use apps for social media tools like LinkedIn.

7. Market Research 

Utilize social media to keep up with industry discussions and trends to gain additional insight into your target market, competitors, and client preferences.

8. Consumer Assistance

Utilize social media technologies to provide prompt and individualized client support. Respond immediately to inquiries, feedback, and complaints to demonstrate that you respect your customers' satisfaction.

9. Paid Advertising 

Consider spending money on social media advertising if you want to reach a wider audience and target particular demographics. There are several methods for ad targeting on websites like Facebook and Instagram.

10. Influencer Marketing

Work with influencers or industry leaders with a large following in your sector. Influencers can aid in extending the reach of your brand's message.

11. Analytics & Insights

Track the performance of your postings and campaigns using the analytics tools given by social media sites. 

Why are Social Media so Addictive?

Social media is addictive due to multiple psychological and technological factors. Factors that exploit human behavior and the chemistry of your brain. Some of the core reasons behind it are:

• Dopamine Release: Social interactions can trigger dopamine release which is a neurotransmitter that is associated with pleasure and reward. This reward is similar to the effects of drugs, alcohol, or gambling. The biochemical response generated from these rewards encourages users to continue seeking out interactions online. This helps in experiencing these positive feelings again but often makes you addicted to social media​​.
• Fear of Missing Out (FOMO): Most popular social media platforms capitalize on the human fear of missing out on important events, information, or interactions. This fear compels users to check the feeds constantly to stay updated. This leads to chronic use​​.
• Validation and Social Comparison: Users often seek validation and social comparison through likes, comments, and shares. This can provide a sense of worth and identity. This constant pursuit of validation and comparison can become addictive. It is because users constantly engage with content to feel connected and valued​​.
• Infinite Scrolling and Notifications: The design features of these apps, such as infinite scrolling and constant notifications, are intentionally created to keep users engaged for longer periods. These features exploit human curiosity and the desire for new stimuli. This makes it difficult for users to disengage​​.
• Variety and Novelty: The wide array of content available on social media platforms ensures that there is always something new to discover. This compels the user to come back. The unpredictability of what users might find after each scroll or click taps into the human tendency to see new things. This further reinforces addictive patterns​​.
• Psychological Hooks: Social media use psychological hooks. For example, badges, streaks, storytelling, etc. These hooks create a sense of achievement and progress, making the user experience more addictive​​.
• Social Connection: Despite its negative impacts, social media fulfills a basic human need for social connection. This ability to connect, share, and communicate with others, regardless of the physical distance, can make the experience rewarding and addictive​​.

Tips for Effective Social Media Usage - For Regular Users

In order to harness social media's power effectively, a healthy balance needs to be maintained. To do so, one needs several tips to make it happen:

• Set Clear Objectives: Establish what you wish to achieve with social media, i.e., networking, brand promotion, staying informed, etc. This would help you focus your time and efforts productively.
• Limit Your Time: Allocate specific time to avoid constant distractions throughout the day. There are several apps for social media that can help you track or limit your usage.
• Be Selective: Follow accounts that add value to your life, such as those that inspire, educate, or entertain. For the remaining, unfollow or mute them to not trigger any negativity or waste of time.
• Engage Meaningfully: Instead of passively scrolling, actively engage by commenting, sharing, and posting content. It reflects your interests and values. This will also enable quality interactions that are more fulfilling than quantity.
• Use Privacy Settings: Get yourself to familiarize with the privacy settings of each platform. This would let you control who sees your information and posts. It is crucial for protecting your data and managing your online presence.
• Balance with Offline Life: Make sure that social media is not replacing your face-to-face interactions and real-world experiences. 
• Curate Your Feed: Regularly review and curate your feed ensuring that it aligns with your interests and goals. This will keep your social experience relevant and enjoyable.
• Learn and Adapt: Stay informed of the latest trends, features, and best practices. Adapt this strategy to help you stay relevant and engage with your audience.
• Mindful Sharing: Think before you post. This considers the impact on your audience and your personal or professional reputation. Avoid oversharing personal details and respect others' privacy.
• Take Breaks: Don't hesitate to disconnect and recharge while taking breaks. This is especially the case if you're feeling overwhelmed. Periodic breaks can refresh your perspective and improve your overall well-being.
• Focus on Positive Content: Seek out and share positive, uplifting content to contribute to a healthier online environment. Avoid engaging with or spreading negativity.
• Educate Yourself on Security: Understand the potential risks of social media. For example, phishing, scams, misinformation, etc.

Current & Future Social Media Trends

The social media landscape has been evolving since its inception, with new trends coming in and getting followed by social media marketers and influencers. It is essential to learn about these trends as they help you understand the audience's pulse. Therefore, let’s check them out:

1. Current Trends

• Short-form Video Dominance: Short-form videos dominate the market as they cater to a short attention span. Platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels understand this and are incredibly popular because of their dedicated segments to the format.
• Social Commerce: There are more people coming in and becoming a part of the social commerce landscape. In fact, the US alone has generated sales of $90.89 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach $150 billion by 2028. Therefore, if you have a product to sell, selling it directly on social media can help you garner higher sales. WhatsApp Commerce is available everywhere for B2B marketing.
• Boom in Creator Economy: There are more people entering the content creation space on social media. This creates opportunities for brands to partner with multiple creators and influencers to reach their target audience.
• Importance of Community: People often crave connection and a sense of belongingness. This is the reason the majority of people use social media subconsciously to create communities that help with a successful long-term run.
• Authenticity: Consumers are tired of advertisements. They want to connect with brands that are genuine and authentic. Therefore, more transparency and honesty are proving effective.

2. Future Trends

• Rise of Metaverse: Top social media platforms have already started to experiment with it, and it is something that will most likely become more prominent in the future.
• Continued Growth of AI: AI is already being used for various things on social media. For example, content creation, moderation, and personalization. The future holds more integration with multiple innovative uses of AI.
• Immersive Social Media: Social media sites are working to make the experience more immersive. This is being achieved through augmented and virtual reality and could lead to new ways to connect with brands and other users.
• Privacy Concerns: As social media platforms collect more user data, privacy concerns will catapult requiring more intervention. 

Final Verdict

These are just a handful of our recommendations for the best social media apps that I tried with my team to bring you credible options. Consider these options carefully and look for features that will simplify or fulfill your requirements. You can simply select a social media app as per our recommendation or have your own criteria to sort it out. Whatever, the reasons be, we hope each of the apps mentioned is worth your time and helps you reach the right one as per your need.