The Social Media Landscape

Social media usage continues to grow and is a crucial component of global communication. There are many platforms for users to choose from, all of which offer a range of services. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat, and X (formerly Twitter) provide online socialization, entertainment, and a multitude of other features to vast audiences. Different social media platforms attract different generations and genders for various reasons, and in some countries, global market leaders struggle to make the top spot in terms of audience reach, leaving room for other services to take the lead. Time spent on specific services is a sign of whether platforms manage to keep their users engaged or not. Additionally, social media companies are continuing to offer subscription services, but what makes a consumer want to pay for social media? In a time when everyone is online, do online users put more thought into privacy, AI innovation, or personal connections?