This week, we’re diving into the world of social media here at Cultura de Algibeira. And what better way to start than by listing the biggest social media platforms out there? Before you rush to criticize any of the data, let me just say that the information in this article is based on a report by Business Insider, with numbers updated up to July 2017. Will you be surprised by any of the entries on this list?

11 – Vkontakte

What? Never heard of this social network? Vkontakte is the most used platform in the Commonwealth of Independent States, including Russia and other former Soviet Union members. Similar to Facebook, this network was launched in 2006 and already has around 100 million users. Although it’s not well-known in the West, it’s a giant in its region.

10 – Snapchat

Yes, Snapchat is still here. As of July 2017, the app had over 165 million daily active users. However, with Instagram investing more and more in video and features like Stories, Snapchat’s future looks uncertain. Despite this, it remains a popular platform, especially among younger users.

9 – Pinterest

In ninth place, we have Pinterest, a social network launched in March 2010. This platform is all about visuals, functioning as an idea catalog for its 175 million users. If you like searching for inspiration on fashion, recipes, or interior design, this is the perfect social network for you.

8 – Twitter

Surprised by Twitter’s position? Despite its popularity, this social network has “only” 330 million users. Created in 2006, the platform is known for its short and direct tweets. Although it has lost some momentum in recent years, Twitter remains one of the main social networks for discussions and real-time news.

7 – Weibo

If you’ve never heard of Weibo, don’t worry, you’re not alone. This is one of the most popular social networks in China, where many international platforms like Facebook and Twitter are banned. Weibo is a mix of microblogging and social networking, with around 340 million users. It’s the ideal place for Chinese people to share their opinions and experiences.

6 – Qzone

Now we have Qzone, another Chinese social network that’s extremely successful. With around 630 million users, this platform allows users to post blogs, photos, listen to music, and watch videos. It’s like a fusion of several Western social networks in one. Who knows if we’ll see something similar in the rest of the world someday?

5 – Instagram

Entering the top 5 is Instagram, a social network that’s growing rapidly and has invested heavily in video and live content. With over 700 million users, the platform is known for its photos and, more recently, its Stories. Instagram has become an essential place for people who like to share moments from their daily lives.

4 – WeChat

WeChat started as a simple messaging app but quickly evolved into something much bigger. Currently, this social network has 940 million users and is used not only for communication but also for payments, service reservations, and much more. In China, WeChat is so popular that people even use it to pay for their daily shopping. And if you think nobody knows about WeChat outside of China, think again – it even had a dedicated scene in the “Emoji Movie”.

3 – Messenger

Opening the podium is Messenger, with 1.2 billion users. Many wonder if it shouldn’t be included with Facebook, but currently, Messenger is considered a standalone app. The goal is to become a complete platform, similar to WeChat, with features ranging from messaging to payments and more.

2 – WhatsApp

The second place goes to WhatsApp, one of the most used messaging platforms worldwide, with 1.3 billion users. Whether it’s group conversations or private messages, WhatsApp is one of the preferred ways of communication for millions of people. However, it still can’t surpass the leader of our list. Can you guess which one it is?

1 – Facebook

As expected, Facebook is the big winner of this list, with over 2 billion users. Since its creation as an exclusive social network for Harvard students, Facebook has evolved to become one of the most recognized and used brands globally. And it seems that the platform’s growth won’t slow down anytime soon.

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I hope this list has surprised and informed you about some social networks that you might not have known much about. With the rapid growth of digital platforms, who knows what will be at the top of this list in the near future?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the most popular social media platform in the world?

A: According to the data, Facebook is the most popular social media platform in the world, with over 2 billion users.

Q: Is Snapchat still a popular social media platform?

A: Yes, Snapchat is still a popular social media platform, with over 165 million daily active users, although its future looks uncertain due to increasing competition from Instagram.