Social media has become an integral part of our lives, connecting people from various backgrounds, including friends, family, relatives, neighbours, and classmates, among others. The day starts with social media and ends with the platform, and the cycle repeats. They boast of billions of users worldwide, allowing everyone to join the platform for free. Despite being free, have you ever wondered how social media platforms make money from you?
In this article, we will highlight how much each social media platforms earn from each user. Every single user indirectly generates income for the firms, allowing an endless stream of money to flow into their kitty. It is estimated that approximately 5.4 billion people worldwide use social media, accounting for 69% of the global population. Apps such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and WhatsApp dominate the sector.
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Money Social Media Platforms Earn Per User
Facebook generates the highest revenue per user, at $64.6, according to Statista & Companies’ Reports. Then comes Instagram and TikTok, which are distantly behind. However, Facebook and Instagram come from the same parent company, Meta, run by Mark Zuckerberg. Below is the list of money social media platforms make per user.
- Facebook – $64.6
- Instagram – $35.45
- TikTok – $14.56
- YouTube – $14.5
- Snapchat – $6.7
- X/Twitter – $4.09
- Telegram – $1.11
- WhatsApp – $0.89
Social media platforms earn money from users through advertising revenues. They also sell ad space, create targeted ads based on user preference, and generate revenue from subscriptions. In-app purchases also come as revenue, which includes e-commerce integrations. Brand deals and affiliate links are another form of money, and the stream is wide. In conclusion, every user generates income for the platforms and helps build their billion-dollar empire. Users are the products that keep generating revenue throughout the year.
