23 Top Social Media Platforms for Small Businesses to Consider in 2025
Updated: 4 days ago
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In 2025, social media continues to be an indispensable tool for small businesses. With over 4.8 billion people using social platforms globally, a number that grows by approximately 3.2% annually, small businesses have more opportunities than ever to reach potential customers.
According to a DataReportal report, social media users now spend an average of 2 hours and 31 minutes per day on these platforms, highlighting the immense potential for brand visibility and engagement. If your small business isn't leveraging the right social media sites, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities to connect with your audience.
Not using the right social media platforms means missing chances to connect with your audience
The list of social media sites is not arranged by specific criteria. However, for each platform, we’ve included its size, measured by Monthly Active Users (MAU) as of Q3/2024. While this may not be the only factor to consider when choosing a platform, it offers valuable insight into the potential reach of each one. Each platform has its own unique strengths, and many are highly location-specific, such as WeChat, which is popular in China.
While this list covers the major platforms, there are many smaller, niche, or industry-specific social networks that could be a perfect fit for your business. Don’t hesitate to explore these alternatives - they might provide unique opportunities to connect with your target audience.
If you have any suggestions, need help selecting the right platforms or setting up the platforms for your business, feel free to reach out to us. We're more than happy to assist you in finding the perfect solution.
Here, we break down the top social media platforms you should consider in 2025, each with its unique strengths and user base, to help you make informed decisions for your small business.
1. Facebook – 2.9 Billion Monthly Active Users (MAUs)
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Best for: Local businesses, eCommerce, B2C services.
Facebook remains the king of social platforms, offering a wide variety of tools for small businesses. Whether it’s Facebook Marketplace for eCommerce or Facebook Ads for hyper-targeted marketing, the platform is versatile and effective for nearly every business type. You can use Facebook to host events, communicate with customers via Messenger, or run tailored ad campaigns.
2. Instagram – 2.35 Billion MAUs
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Best for: Visual brands, fashion, food, beauty, lifestyle.
Instagram is a visually-driven platform that is especially effective for brands focusing on aesthetic appeal. With features like Instagram Shopping, Stories, and Reels, small businesses can engage audiences with visually appealing content. Brands in fashion, beauty, and food industries perform exceptionally well here.
3. YouTube – 2.7 Billion MAUs
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Best for: Content creators, education, entertainment, product tutorials.
YouTube’s long-form video content is ideal for businesses that can educate or entertain their audiences. Whether you're offering product demos, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes videos, YouTube helps build strong brand loyalty. Additionally, small businesses can monetize their content and drive traffic to their websites through video marketing.
4. TikTok – 1.6 Billion MAUs
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Best for: Creative brands, entertainment, Gen Z-targeted businesses.
TikTok has exploded in popularity, particularly among younger audiences. It’s a great platform for creative, entertaining, and authentic content. Brands targeting Gen Z or those in the fashion, music, and entertainment industries thrive here due to the platform’s focus on trends and short-form videos.
5. LinkedIn – 930 Million MAUs
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Best for: B2B services, professional services, personal branding.
LinkedIn is the go-to platform for B2B marketing, professional services, and networking. It’s particularly useful for businesses offering consultancy services, corporate solutions, or any form of B2B outreach. LinkedIn’s user base consists of professionals and decision-makers, making it ideal for industry leaders, solopreneurs, and service providers.
6. Pinterest – 465 Million MAUs
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Best for: Visual brands, DIY, lifestyle, home decor, and crafts.
Pinterest is a platform centered around discovery and inspiration, making it an excellent platform for businesses in the lifestyle, home decor, crafts, and DIY spaces. Small businesses can create visually appealing "Pins" that link back to their websites, driving traffic and sales. The platform’s demographic is predominantly female, so brands targeting this audience fare well.
7. X (formerly Twitter) – 486 Million MAUs
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Best for: News, customer service, tech, thought leadership.
Twitter (now X) is great for real-time updates, customer service, and thought leadership. Brands in tech, media, and news industries use X to engage with their audiences directly, monitor trends, and respond to customer queries quickly. It’s a fast-paced platform ideal for businesses that want to build thought leadership or provide real-time support.
8. Snapchat – 750 Million MAUs
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Best for: Brands targeting younger audiences, fashion, beauty, entertainment.
Snapchat’s disappearing messages and content format resonate with younger demographics. Brands targeting Millennials and Gen Z, especially in the fashion, beauty, and entertainment industries, find success on this platform. It’s also an excellent platform for behind-the-scenes content and product launches.
9. Reddit – 57 Million MAUs
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Best for: Niche communities, tech, gaming, personal finance.
Reddit offers small businesses the opportunity to engage with niche communities. If your brand caters to a specialized market—such as tech, gaming, or personal finance—Reddit allows you to interact directly with passionate, engaged audiences. Brands can also use Reddit Ads to target users based on interests and communities.
10. WhatsApp – 2.78 Billion MAUs
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Best for: Customer service, B2C businesses, local services.
WhatsApp is a powerful communication tool, particularly for customer service and direct engagement. Businesses can use WhatsApp Business to connect with customers, share promotions, and provide real-time support. It’s a must for any small business offering customer-facing services or operating in regions where WhatsApp is a primary communication tool.
11. Instagram Threads – 280 Million MAUs
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Best for: Brands with an existing Instagram audience, conversational marketing.
Instagram Threads, Meta's recent answer to Twitter (now X), is designed for real-time, text-based conversations. This platform is especially valuable for brands already active on Instagram, as it allows for seamless integration with Instagram followers. This is one of the reasons it has grown so rapidly in such a short time.
This platform is especially valuable for brands already active on Instagram, as it allows for seamless integration with Instagram followers
If your small business thrives on conversations, customer engagement, and community building, Threads offers a fresh space for casual, real-time interactions. It’s great for announcing promotions, sharing quick updates, and engaging in direct conversations with customers.
12. WeChat – 1.2 Billion MAUs
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Best for: Businesses targeting Chinese markets, retail, and hospitality.
WeChat is essential for any business looking to enter or expand in the Chinese market. The platform is more than just a messaging app - it’s a super-app with eCommerce, payments, and marketing capabilities. Retail, hospitality, and international brands find WeChat indispensable for reaching Chinese consumers.
13. Telegram – 700 Million MAUs
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Best for: Customer support, tech brands, communities.
Telegram’s growing popularity stems from its emphasis on privacy and group communication. Businesses, especially those in tech or that provide customer support, can use Telegram to manage customer communities, offer exclusive content, and provide direct support.
14. Quora – 300 Million MAUs
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Best for: Thought leadership, B2B services, consultancy.
Quora is a Q&A platform that allows businesses to showcase their expertise. It’s particularly useful for B2B services, consultancy, and any business that can provide expert advice. Participating in discussions and answering industry-specific questions builds authority and drives traffic to your website.
15. Medium – 100 Million MAUs
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Best for: Writers, bloggers, content marketing, personal branding.
Medium is a content platform where businesses can publish long-form articles. It’s ideal for small businesses or entrepreneurs looking to establish thought leadership, publish content marketing pieces, or share insights into their industries. Medium articles can rank well in search engines, providing organic traffic to your business.
16. Tumblr – 135 Million MAUs
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Best for: Creative industries, fashion, art, and photography.
Tumblr is a microblogging platform popular among creative communities. If your business operates in fashion, art, or photography, Tumblr provides a space to showcase visually creative content and engage with like-minded individuals. It’s especially effective for businesses looking to build a unique brand voice.
17. Clubhouse – 15 Million MAUs
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Best for: Networking, personal branding, thought leadership.
Clubhouse is a voice-based social platform where users participate in live audio discussions. It’s great for building personal brands and thought leadership in industries like marketing, tech, and entrepreneurship. While the app’s user base has leveled off, it remains a niche platform for networking and sharing industry insights.
18. BeReal – 10 Million MAUs
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Best for: Authentic brands, lifestyle, and fashion.
BeReal offers a refreshing break from the heavily curated content of other platforms. It’s great for small businesses that want to showcase their authenticity by sharing real-time, unfiltered content. Brands targeting younger audiences in lifestyle and fashion will find BeReal an engaging and unique platform.
19. Vero – 3 Million MAUs
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Best for: Artists, photographers, creators.
Vero offers an ad-free social experience and is particularly popular among photographers, artists, and content creators. If your small business focuses on high-quality visual content and you want to avoid ads cluttering your message, Vero is a platform to consider.
20. Twitch – 140 Million MAUs
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Best for: Gaming, entertainment, live streaming, tech.
Twitch is a live-streaming platform that’s immensely popular in the gaming and entertainment industries. Small businesses related to gaming, tech, or entertainment can use Twitch to live-stream events, product launches, or create interactive experiences with their audiences.
21. Nextdoor – 80 Million MAUs
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Best for: Local businesses, home services, real estate, neighborhood-focused brands.
Nextdoor is a hyper-local social network where businesses can engage directly with their communities. It’s ideal for local businesses offering services such as home improvement, real estate, or neighborhood restaurants. Nextdoor allows small businesses to advertise to users in their local area and build strong community ties.
22. BlueSky – 6.5 Million MAUs
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Best for: Tech-savvy brands, early adopters, and digital communities.
BlueSky is a decentralized social platform founded by Twitter’s former CEO, Jack Dorsey. It aims to provide users with more control over their social media experience, offering the ability to customize algorithms and data privacy.
Though still in its early stages, BlueSky is attracting tech-savvy users and early adopters. Small businesses that cater to the tech industry, digital services, or privacy-conscious audiences may find BlueSky to be a platform worth experimenting with in 2025.
23. Mastodon – 10 Million MAUs
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Best for: Niche communities, tech, and privacy-focused businesses.
Mastodon is a decentralized social media platform that operates as a network of independently operated servers. It's particularly appealing to brands focused on privacy, technology, and niche communities. If your small business caters to a specific audience, such as tech enthusiasts or open-source advocates, Mastodon provides a space where your brand can engage with like-minded individuals in a decentralized and privacy-conscious environment.
Choosing The Right Platforms is the Key
Choosing the right social media platforms for your small business is crucial to reaching your target audience effectively. Each platform has unique features and caters to different demographics, so it's important to select those that align with your business goals.
By focusing on the platforms where your audience is most active, you'll maximize engagement and save time.
Use Social Media Management Apps to Ease the Workload
With so many social media platforms available, managing them all can quickly become overwhelming, especially for solopreneurs.
This is where social media management tools like AI-powered Hookle come into play. By using a scheduling tool, you can plan posts ahead of time, track performance, and maintain a consistent presence across multiple platforms - all from one centralized dashboard.
For solopreneurs, scheduling tools save time, reduce stress, and allow you to focus on growing your business, rather than constantly juggling posts and updates. With Hookle, your social media marketing becomes more efficient and streamlined.
Don’t just take our word for it - experience the difference yourself. Try Hookle free today and effortlessly take control of your social media management!
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