Technology is the only means that connects humans all over the world today and each year, something more advanced and innovative in the form of social media is introduced which further strengthens up the connection. Looking back in 2010, total number of social media users across the globe was less than a billion but, digitalisation and all-things mobile resulted in more than 3 billion active users only six years later.
Other than tech advancement, cheaper internet connectivity and smartphone production also fuelled the trend. For digital marketers and mobile app development companies in Dubai as well as all over the world, there’s a huge potential and opportunity to reach a massive audience, keep them engaged on social media other than the typical Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Let’s have a look at some of the trending social apps in 2021.
Perhaps one of the largest social media platforms in the world, Facebook leads with more or less 3-billion active users, whereas almost all social media users are definitely present here. Brands and businesses are running full operations via Facebook whereas the trend further heightened during the lockdown and work-from-home obligations of the COVID-19 pandemic. Users can easily share links, images, texts, videos and various media files as well as can follow official pages of their favourite people.
With more than 2-billion monthly active users, Instagram is yet another fastest-growing social networking app, following closely to Facebook. The platform has been developed specifically for images, videos and other visual resources that can be conveniently uploaded, shared and live streamed in the form of short videos and stories. User-base of Instagram is mostly young generation between the ages of 18 and 34.
To stay updated in real-time with the latest trends and all that’s happening all over the world, Twitter is perhaps everyone’s preferred social networking platform. Monthly active users for Twitter nears 500-million with almost the same number of tweets per day.
- Snapchat
Much like WhatsApp and Instagram, another social media platform that’s high on visual elements with flair of creative features like face filters and much more; Snapchat daily user base is approximately 300 million and rising. Highly popular amongst the younger generation, users can send custom snaps to their preferred contacts that must be Snapchat users as well as can update their statuses that’ll last for 24-hour.
- TikTok
Developed by a Chinese company named ByteDance with a native Chinese version known as Douyin, TikTok is a social networking platform for sharing short-form videos which gained fame ever since its launch back in 2016. Highly famous for its lip-sync video feature, TikTok monthly users are nearly one-billion and rising daily.
- YouTube
The name says it all, YouTube is the world’s largest video sharing social media platform with more or less 4-billion users. An average YouTube user spends approximately 40 minutes per day of streaming videos on the platform.
- Triller
With more than 23-million downloads and hitting more, it’s surely an app to give TikTok quite a hot competition! Triller is an AI-based music video app enabling users to create high-end professional videos only in seconds while offering likewise features to that of TikTok. Bring out the creative musician and vocalist in you with Triller’s music making and lip-sync functions to expand your followers’ circle.
- WT Social
From Wikipedia’s co-founder; Jimmy Wales comes a new social network namely ‘WT Social’ which claims itself to be a ‘non-toxic social network. WT Social is struggling to secure an alternate position on the digital front to that of Facebook and Twitter; being ad-free and remunerated from users’ donations. Registered users are free to choose their own content and lead the community by example, integrity and honesty; given to the element of ‘non-toxic’.
- Periscope
A live streaming app which lets users discover the world from their own perspective while fostering optimism to nature and valuing the beauty of life. Periscope currently hosts more than 11-million registered users and nearly 10-million live video streams each month. Though a smaller platform, total hours of video streamed everyday sums up to above 3.5-million.
[SOURCE: www (dot) periscope (dot) tv/]
- Elpha
A female-only career oriented social network which is similar to LinkedIn, registered users on Elpha are supported on personal and professional level. Women entrepreneurs, job seekers and those already employed can connect with each other, look for new corporate opportunities, widen their professional network and share value-added content to aid others.
[SOURCE: www (dot) elpha (dot) com/]
- Yubo
Adding to the list of social networking platforms is Yubo which carries the old-school theme of promoting online friendships and relations in a safe, secure and respectful environment. When a user registers with Yubo, they’re able to customise their profile, add new friends, create chat rooms and groups, or simply connect one-on-one. You can even use live stream function which also enables your existing connections in the network to comment and be a part.
[SOURCE: www (dot) yubo (dot) live/]
- Peanut
A social network for mothers and mothers to-be will find this network no short of a blessing! Peanut is meant to assist mothers during their entire motherhood period, build a support network, access many useful resources, forums and groups so on. The app now features full support and community programme for mothers-to-be.
[SOURCE: www (dot) peanut-app (dot) io/]
- Caffeine
Much like Periscope, users can join Caffeine either as ‘viewers’ or ‘broadcasters’. As a ‘viewer’, users can live stream all over the world whereas ‘broadcasters’ include some of the biggest brands and names belonging to gaming, sports, entertainment and various other industries. Being free of advertisements and subscriptions, Caffeine is super awesome which lets users freely stream, join live chats, fund their preferred broadcasters and even vote their favourite streams.
[SOURCE: www (dot) caffeine (dot) tv/]
- 23snaps
Designed specifically for parents however can be used by anyone, 23snaps is an image sharing app that lets users capture special moments in a safe and secure way. Images can be shared with anyone whom the user chose to in a highly secure manner while keeping them away from unwanted, prying eyes.
[SOURCE: www (dot) 23snaps (dot) com/]
- Academia
Just as the name implies, Academia is a platform designed for researchers and academics that enable users to share academic research papers, white papers, journals and other such institutional resources. Academia hosts a rich library of more than 23 million papers with approximately 130-million active users per month. Though started as a free and open repository, the platform now charges to grant access and connect directly with the researchers.
[SOURCE: www (dot) academia (dot) edu/]
- Amikumu
A cross-platform app to connect users with different people speaking or willing to learn many different languages! Amikumu was originally developed for Esperanto speakers however the element of convenient access, user-friendliness and huge library of language support expanded the user-base. Registered app members belong to more than 130 countries with above 600 different languages in the database which contributes to smooth communication and conveniently share information locally.
[SOURCE: www (dot) amikumu (dot) com/]
- Athlinks
A unique name developed for a unique purpose, Athlinks is a free social networking platform which specifically targets highly competitive athletes with record endurance. Users can connect with fellow athletes and share results for different sporting activities like running, cycling, triathlon, swimming, mountain biking, adventure racing and much more. The primary purpose of the app is to keep up the motivation level and push athletes to perform at their best.
[SOURCE: www (dot) athlinks (dot) com/]
The number of social media apps is rising gradually but the above list includes some of the most trending in 2021.
