Timeline of most popular social networks from 2003 to 2022. Measured by monthly active users worldwide. Data source: press releases, 10-k sec filings, industry reports.
Timeline: Social Networks Popularity (2003–2022)
This fascinating timeline shows the rise and fall of the world’s most popular social networking platforms. Measured by monthly active users (MAU), these rankings highlight how digital connections have evolved, reshaped communication, and changed how we share our lives online.
Early 2000s: The Dawn of Social Networking (2003–2006)
Friendster (2003) was one of the first platforms to gain mass popularity, with a global user base—though it quickly faded.
MySpace (2004) took over, becoming the go-to for music fans and social profiles.
Orkut (2004) became wildly popular, especially in Brazil and India.
Hi5 (2003) had a strong following in Latin America and Southeast Asia.
Facebook launched in 2004, initially for college students, but began to expand beyond campuses in 2006.
Late 2000s: Facebook Takes Over (2007–2012)
Facebook surpassed MySpace in 2008, becoming the leading social platform worldwide.
Twitter (2006) emerged as a microblogging powerhouse, focusing on real-time updates.
LinkedIn (2003) steadily grew as the professional networking choice.
VK (VKontakte) became the leading network in Russia and parts of Eastern Europe.
Google+ (2011) tried to challenge Facebook but never gained real traction.
The 2010s: Mobile & Visual Explosion (2013–2019)
Instagram (2010) exploded in popularity, focusing on photo sharing and influencer culture. Facebook acquired it in 2012.
Snapchat (2011) became the platform for ephemeral content, with a strong following among teens.
Pinterest (2010) carved a niche for visual discovery and DIY enthusiasts.
WeChat (2011) became dominant in China, combining messaging, social features, and more.
TikTok (2016, globally since 2018) reshaped the scene with short-form video, rapidly overtaking older platforms.
The 2020s: Short-Form Video Reigns (2020–2022)
TikTok cemented its dominance globally by 2020–2022, driven by viral trends, creative communities, and algorithmic discovery.
Instagram remained massively popular, introducing Reels to compete with TikTok.
Facebook still held a massive user base, especially among older demographics.
Twitter and Snapchat maintained active and engaged communities.
LinkedIn remained essential for professionals.
In China, platforms like WeChat and Weibo continued to dominate.
Reddit grew steadily as the forum-style network for niche interests and communities.
Major Players by Active Users (approx.) in 2022
Platform Monthly Active Users (approx.)
Facebook ~2.9 billion
YouTube ~2.5 billion
WhatsApp ~2.4 billion
Instagram ~2 billion
TikTok ~1.5 billion
WeChat ~1.2 billion
Twitter ~450 million
Snapchat ~500 million
Pinterest ~450 million
Reddit ~430 million
Fun Facts & Trivia
MySpace was once the world’s biggest social network but quickly fell to Facebook’s meteoric rise.
Instagram was originally just an iOS photo filter app!
TikTok started as Musical.ly in China before merging and going global.
WeChat isn’t just a messaging app—it’s a “super app” in China with payments, ride-hailing, and more.
Keywords
most popular social networks timeline, social media active users history, Facebook TikTok Instagram rise, 2003-2022 social networks, social media growth trends.
Source: Data Is Beautiful
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