Pew Research: YouTube and Facebook Still Dominate U.S. Social Media in 2025

Despite growing debates around digital censorship, misinformation, political polarization, and the mental health impact of social platforms, YouTube and Facebook remain firmly at the center of American online life.

According to a new Pew Research Center survey, these two platforms continue to dominate social media usage in the United States, outperforming both legacy networks and emerging challengers — and doing so across nearly every demographic group.

The findings underscore a critical reality in 2025: while the social media ecosystem is expanding and fragmenting, user attention is still heavily concentrated on a few major platforms.

Chart showing YouTube and Facebook leading U.S. social media usage according to Pew Research 2025.

Table of Contents

Pew Research Survey: Methodology and Scope

The latest findings are based on a nationally representative survey of 5,022 U.S. adults, conducted between February 5 and June 18, 2025.

To better understand engagement patterns, Pew also conducted a separate follow-up survey of 5,123 adults between February 24 and March 2, 2025, focusing on frequency of platform use.

Together, the surveys offer one of the most comprehensive snapshots of how Americans use social media today.

YouTube and Facebook Lead by a Wide Margin

The data shows that YouTube and Facebook are still the most widely used social media platforms in the United States, far ahead of competitors.

Top Social Media Platforms by Usage (2025)

Three newer platforms — Threads, Bluesky, and Truth Social — currently attract about one-in-ten adults or fewer, highlighting the difficulty new networks face in scaling to mass adoption.

Instagram Holds Strong as the Only Other Majority Platform

Instagram remains the only platform besides YouTube and Facebook to reach at least half of the U.S. adult population.

Its continued relevance reflects:

However, Pew’s data suggests that Instagram’s growth has stabilized rather than surged, unlike TikTok and Reddit, which continue to expand steadily.

YouTube’s Dominance Extends to U.S. Teens

One of the most striking findings is YouTube’s cross-generational dominance.

This positions YouTube uniquely — not just as a social network, but as a digital utility embedded in daily life.

Long-Term Trends: Platforms Still Growing

Pew’s long-term tracking reveals continued growth for several platforms, even as overall social media adoption plateaus:

Platforms Showing Sustained Growth

These platforms are expanding their reach within specific demographic segments, even if they trail YouTube and Facebook in overall usage.

Age Gaps Define Social Media Habits in America

Age remains one of the strongest predictors of social media use.

Young Adults (Ages 18–29)

Adults under 30 are significantly more likely to use:

Eight-in-ten adults ages 18 to 29 use Instagram, compared with just 19% of those ages 65 and older.

TikTok usage is especially concentrated among younger Americans, reinforcing concerns and conversations about youth well-being and digital consumption.

Older Adults (Ages 65 and Up)

Older Americans remain more selective:

Despite this, YouTube and Facebook are the only platforms used by a majority of Americans in every age group.

Middle-Aged Adults Drive Facebook Usage

Facebook usage peaks among:

This group also shows the highest daily engagement levels, making Facebook a powerful platform for advertisers, news outlets, and political messaging.

Daily Usage: Where Americans Spend Their Time

While usage alone matters, frequency of use reveals true influence.

Platforms Used Daily by Americans

Daily usage reinforces the idea that YouTube and Facebook are deeply embedded in Americans’ routines, not just occasional destinations.

Age Differences in Daily Social Media Engagement

Younger Adults

Older Adults

For Facebook:

Gender Differences in Platform Preferences

The survey reveals clear gender-based patterns:

Women Are More Likely to Use

For example:

Men Are More Likely to Use

These differences shape how content spreads, how influencers grow, and how political narratives gain traction online.

Race and Ethnicity Shape Social Media Use

Race and ethnicity also influence platform adoption:

Instagram Usage by Race

These disparities highlight how cultural communities adopt platforms differently, often shaping trends, music, activism, and viral content.

Education Level and Social Media Habits

Education also correlates strongly with platform choice.

College-Educated Adults Are More Likely to Use

For Reddit:

TikTok Skews Toward Less Formal Education

Political Affiliation Influences Platform Choice

The survey highlights growing political segmentation across social media platforms.

Democrats and Democratic-Leaning Independents

More likely to use:

Republicans and Republican Leaners

More likely to use:

Notably:

This marks a reversal from two years ago, when Democrats were more likely to use the platform.

Why This Data Matters in 2025

As policymakers, educators, and tech companies grapple with:

Pew’s findings provide a reality check:

A small number of platforms continue to dominate attention, influence, and daily digital behavior in America.

Understanding where Americans actually spend their time online is critical for:

Conclusion: Dominance Amid Debate

Despite constant headlines predicting the decline of legacy platforms, YouTube and Facebook remain unrivaled in reach and daily influence.

New platforms may shape niche conversations, but when it comes to mass audiences in 2025, the digital public square is still largely controlled by a familiar few.

You May Also Like

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

error: Content is protected !!