Today, over 80% of the population owns a smartphone. It means that the mobile industry is changing the reality we are living in. The widespread usage of smartphones and mobile internet profoundly impacts our online habits. There used to be a considerable gap in capabilities and functionalities between a smartphone and a computer. Most internet users preferred the latter in the past, but the situation is changing quickly.
Such a gap no longer exists for most the online experience. That’s why some mobile apps are becoming more popular and important than traditional web portals. Keep reading, and find out more.
The Champions
It isn’t easy to compete with social media platforms these days. In fact, only Google and YouTube manage to stay above Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and the like. Social media isn’t only a place where people share cute pets and juicy meals. It’s a marketplace where users work and trade various products and services. Unsurprisingly, social media apps topped the list of most downloaded apps last year.
- Downloads in 2021: 416 million
- Active users now: 2.936 billion
Despite a few bumps, legal issues, and increasing competition, Facebook remains the most popular social media app. It wasn’t the most downloaded app last year; this place belongs to TikTok. Still, Facebook is the social media with the most active users and one of the oldest online, launched in 2004.
People use Facebook for a variety of reasons. It’s an excellent platform for meeting new people, looking for job opportunities, and advertising products and services. It’s also used to sell properties, rent, and even like a dating app. Indeed, Facebook has more active users than Yahoo and Wikipedia. Recently, the company rebranded Meta in a market stunt to show Zuckerberg’s views on the Metaverse.
YouTube
- Downloads in 2021: 1.66 billion
- Active users now: 2.6 billion
YouTube is the first and most popular social media platform based on videos. It was launched in 2004 and gained space as the internet got faster. It’s possible to find all sorts of content there: from Cambridge’s video classes to black screens with rain sounds.
Tutorials, unboxing videos, and affiliate marketing are some of the monetized content. In fact, any kind of content can be monetized on YouTube, provided you have enough visitors. YouTube is seconded only by Google in terms of active users and monthly visitors.
- Downloads in 2021: 395 million
- Active users now: 2.44 billion
Whatsapp is the most popular app for instant messages, hands down. Its popularity is comparable to Facebook’s, even though it has fewer functionalities. There are nearly 2.5 active users out there, exchanging messages and media content via private and business accounts. It’s also possible to use it as a communication tool for affiliate marketing.
In 2014, the app was bought by Facebook for USD 21.1 billion operations. The second most significant purchase of the kind doesn’t even get close: Google bought NetLabs for USD 3 billion. Whatsapp has more active users than Amazon (2.9 billion) and Reddit (1.6 billion).
Like the other options here, Whatsapp can’t be monetized, but it’s still a very effective marketing tool.
TikTok
- Downloads in 2021: 656 million
- Active users now: 1 billion
TikTok might not be the champion in the number of active users yet. However, it was the most downloaded app last year. This platform was launched in China in 2016 and now has more users than Instagram. Indeed, TikTok already has more active users than Aliexpress.com and PayPal.
TikTok has a more specific demographic target than other options on this list. Most TikTok users are between 18 and 34 years old. It’s also incredibly popular among teenagers. It’s one of the favorite social media platforms for influencers of all kinds of themes, from beauty to games.
- Downloads in 2021: 545 million
- Active users now: 1 billion
Instagram is one of the favorite social media platforms for influencers, bloggers, and likes. This platform is focused on video and photo content. However, it’s also used as a workplace by countless professionals looking for new clients. Like Facebook, many people also use it for advertising their services. Additionally, it’s a fantastic place for finding new business opportunities. It also allows users to create a business account for free.
Instagram was launched in 2010 and was the second most downloaded app worldwide last year. It was acquired by Meta (then named Facebook) two years after its release. It means that Meta now owns some of the world’s most popular social media platforms.
- Downloads in 2021: 171 million
- Active users now: 229 million
Twitter was launched in 2006 and has survived several fluctuations in the number of active users. It’s still among the most popular social media platforms, though. It’s a platform for short messages where friends, family, coworkers, and public figures can communicate. Chiefs of state frequently use it, Donald Trump being one of the noisiest ones.
Like most social media, Twitter can also be monetized. Users can post sponsored tweets, invest in affiliate marketing, or simply monetize their own content. Twitter has more monthly visitors than Yahoo and Zoom combined (6.6 billion). The platform has been in the headlines lately for its legal fight with Elon Musk.
Why Do People Prefer Apps to Websites?
Mobile apps usually provide safer navigation and also a more immersive user experience. The main point of an app is to function better than a website. It should provide more personalized options and more intuitive interaction with its elements, among other advantages. Moreover, some apps can be used offline, unlike web pages.
Apps also enable better integration with other mobile features, such as contact lists and cameras. More companies now realize the potential of a well-designed app. It can increase brand presence and brand awareness and bring consumers closer. Countless app-developing companies are offering tailor-made solutions for different kinds of businesses. From eCommerce to telehealth, there’s an app for everything these days.
